Martin Romualdez says gov’t housing program also about building dreams

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, together with Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Palayan City Mayor Viandrei Nicole Cuevas, DHSUD Region 3 Director Julius Ervin Enciso, and former Palayan City Mayor Bong Cuevas inspect the completed buildings and amenities, including the clubhouse, pool, park, basketball and tennis courts of the Palayan City Township built under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., in Brgy. Atate, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. (Photo from the Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez)

MANILA, Philippines — More than giving Filipino families affordable homes, the government’s socialized housing program is also about building and supporting the people’s aspirations of better and dignified lives, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Monday.

Romualdez, during the inspection of housing units in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, assured new homeowners and potential recipients that the government will be present to support them.

“We are not just building homes.  We build dreams.  We do not just give them roofs, we hand over homes with security, dignity, that lead to a new start for families,” Romualdez said in Filipino.

“And to our new homeowners: congratulations on your new homes.  This is just the beginning.  We are here, your government, to support you every step of the way,” he added.

Romualdez along with Human Settlement Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar also checked on the amenities at the Palayan City Housing Project — including a clubhouse, swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, a central park, and other recreational spaces — which were not yet built when the Speaker and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the site in 2022.

“Another good news, we have completed the amenities, there is a clubhouse, swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court, and central park.  When the President visited before, it was not available.  But now it’s here, every thing is good and in order, and free,” Romualdez said.

Initial phase

“The good thing about this is that the government did not spend anything.  All the amenities are the donation of the BellaVita Land Corporation, a company under the Ayala Group.  That’s why we salute them — that is the true spirit of bayanihan, the government and the private sector helping each other for the people’s benefit,” he added.

According to Romualdez’ office, there are 24 mid-rise buildings in the initial phase of the project, eight of which are currently being constructed.  Meanwhile, there are two buildings with a total of 538 units which are now in the Pag-IBIG Fund’s takeout process.

Another 538 are expected to be turned over by June 2026, Romualdez’ office said.

Despite the improvements, Romualdez said that the government is still facing a huge backlog in terms of housing — which should prompt the state to continue working.

“But this is not just about Palayan.  According to DHSUD’s data, we have a seven million housing backlog for the entire country.  That’s why the 4PH program is important, because it’s an ambitious plan to build six million homes within six years,” he said.

“Under President Marcos’ term, the dream of having homes is not just mere talk — it’s an attainable key for each Filipino family,” he added.

With the program’s success, Romualdez said the House will ensure that there is adequate funding to sustain the 4PH’s momentum.

`Fighting chance at decent life’

“As Speaker of the House, I assure you: The legislative branch stands firmly behind this mission. We will continue to pass the laws, secure the budgets, and push the reforms needed to give every Filipino a fighting chance at a decent life,” he said.

“The Palayan City Township is just one of many projects.  We have other programs in Quezon City, Bacolod, Davao, Marawi, and many more.  In Congress, we assure you that we will continue to support you through funding, crafting of laws and policies that will hasten the construction of homes — and most importantly, to allow people to get their own units,” he added.

In 2022, after Marcos assumed office, the administration vowed to build one million homes annually over the next six years so that the housing gap would be minimized, if not covered, when the President leaves office in 2028.

READ: Gov’t pledges 1 million homes every year

However, Malacañang recently admitted that it has failed to reach its target of one million housing units per year due to certain obstacles related to construction and contracting.

Last March 31, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that the DHSUD headed by Acuzar has 90 ongoing projects nationwide, with 82 in the preproduction phase and 436 additional proposals awaiting approval.

READ: Palace admits failure to reach 1 million target housing units per year

Since 2022, only 259,365 housing units have been completed.