Marcos Jr. says gov’t close to groundbreaking 600,000 housing units this year

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his speech upon arrival from Japan on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. Screengrabbed from RTVM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said his administration is close to groundbreaking 600,000 housing units so far this year.

He said his administration aims to build one million housing units per year until 2028, the end of his term.

“Ngayon, ang latest, ay malapit na tayo sa 600,000 na sa groundbreaking. Ang projection na pag natapos lahat ang grinoundbreak natin sa housing, sa ngayon that is potentially 600,000 units kasi hindi na bahay at lupa kundi high-rise or mid-rise buildings na,” Marcos said in a chance interview in Mandaue City.

(We are close to 600,000 units that have broken ground. Once the units we have broken ground for are completed, that is potentially 600,000 units because those are not just houses and lots anymore but high-rise and mid-rise buildings already.)

He said that if his administration fails to meet the one million housing units per year target, they will hasten the construction in the next year so that the average of housing units built will still be one million a year.

The President also discouraged housing program beneficiaries from renting their units out, saying the units should be turned over to individuals who really need a decent and affordable house.

“Marami tayong ginawang sistema na hindi transferrable yung pag-aari ng tirahan. Kung kaya nila na ipa-rent out, hindi nila kailangan ‘yung ibibigay natin. Kung sino ‘yung talagang nangangailangan na wala silang pinagkikitaan at hindi nila kailangan ipaupa ‘yung ating binigay na bahay sa kanila,” he said.

(The government has put in place several systems so that the ownership of the houses is not transferable. If they can rent the units out, they don’t need the housing unit. We will only give it to those who can’t afford their own houses.)

He also said the government is looking at payment schemes that it can implement to help lessen the burden for those who will avail of the housing program.

“Wala silang kaya, kaya hahanapan namin ng paraan para siguro pwedeng i-delay ‘yung pagbayad. Titingnan natin, maraming scheme ang ginagawa ngayon ang Human Settlements,” the President said.

(They can’t afford it, so we’re finding ways to help them. Maybe they can delay their payments. We will see. We will look at many schemes.)

Government aid distribution

Marcos went to Mandaue City on Monday to lead the distribution of several government assistance to residents.

Among the aid distributed are P5,000 aid from the Department of Social Welfare under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program and family food packs to 600 beneficiaries.

He also led the distribution of P3.6 million for three cooperatives under the Integrated Livelihood program of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Meanwhile, 257 beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program will receive P4,350.

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JPV