Marcos Jr. asks DHSUD to fix housing woes with novel solutions

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday told the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to create strategies and policies to address the country’s housing challenges.

Marcos issued the call during the groundbreaking ceremony of the government’s housing project in Balatas, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

“Hinihikayat ko pa rin lahat kayo na lalong magsikap upang tuluyan na natin matugunan ang kakulangan ng pabahay dito sa ating bansa,” he said in his speech.

(I encourage you to work harder for us to address the housing problem in the country.)

“Tuklasin ninyo ang iba’t ibang paraan na maaari nating sundin tungo sa pagtatayo ng sapat na mga pabahay para sa lahat dito sa Pilipinas,” Marcos added.

(Find ways to build enough houses for all here in the Philippines.)

Marcos said the DSHUD had signed 38 memoranda of understanding and four memoranda of agreement with local governments, saying these are key to addressing the lack of safe and decent housing for Filipinos.

He assured the public that the government continues to study ways to expand and fund the housing program and the possible use of unused lands by the government.

“Patuloy rin nagsasaliksik ang ating pamahalaan kung paano pa natin mapapalawak ang mga programa para sa tiyak na pabahay. Pinag-aaralan din natin kung paano natin mapopondohan ng sapat ang mga proyektong kagaya nito,” the President said.

(We continue to study how to expand the program and how we will fund it.)

“Tinitignan natin ang posibilidad ng paggamit ng mga bakanteng lupa ng estado upang palawigin ang programang pabahay alinsunod sa mga batas at alituntunin ng ating bansa,” he added.

(We are looking at the possibility of using vacant government lots while complying with laws and rules in the country.)

Marcos reiterated the government’s goal of building one million housing units annually.

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JPV/abc