Marcos: Over 400K housing units delivered since July 2022

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to continue providing decent and safe housing units to Filipinos, saying the administration has been exhausting efforts to ensure swift construction of these homes.

Marcos made the commitment amid the celebration of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development's (DHSUD) 7th anniversary in Taytay, Rizal. He said more than 400,000 housing units have been built and financed since the start of his presidency. 

''Bagaman lumipas na po ang Valentine's Day, ang pag-ibig po natin sa serbisyo ay hindi magtatapos. Habang may Pilipinong nangangarap ng sariling tahanan, patuloy na kikilos ang pamahalaan upang suportahan ang pangarap na ito,'' Marcos said.

(Even though Valentine's Day has passed, our love for service won't end. As long as there's a Filipino who dreams of having his/her own house, the government will continue to support this dream.) 

According to the President, the administration is determined to reach its targets of housing units for Filipinos.

''Mula Hulyo ng 2022 hanggang Enero ng 2026, tayo ay nakagawa at nakapagfinance ng higit 423,000 housing units. Malayo na ang ating narating ngunit patuloy pa rin tayong nagsisikap upang maabot ang ating target na bahay sa mga susunod pang mga taon,'' Marcos said.

(From July 2022 to January 2026, the administration has built and financed over 423,000 housing units. We've reached this far but we would continue to work hard in attaining the new targets for the next years.) 

Earlier, the administration has "recalibrated" its housing target to 1.133 million housing units for the entire presidential term as the government shifts strategy following rising construction costs and slow uptake of earlier housing models.

Senior Undersecretary Henry Yap of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development had said the original target of 6.5 million housing units at the end of Marcos' term was based on a broader computation that included not only actual housing backlog but also homes that may deteriorate over time due to disasters and aging.

The new target of 1.133 million units include direct government-built housing and indirect housing support through financing programs.

In the event, Marcos also led the awarding of homes and assistance to beneficiaries of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino (4PH).

He also awarded Certificates of Lot Award and financial assistance to beneficiaries for land and site development under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP).

Established on February 14, 2019 under Republic Act No. 11201, the DHSUD serves as the primary agency for managing, planning, and coordinating housing and urban development programs. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News