KORONADAL CITY,  South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in Soccsksargen Region (DHSUD 12) has developed a prototype for a tenement that local government units (LGU) may adopt in establishing socialized housing projects in their respective jurisdictions.  

"We are happy to introduce the DHSUD Regional Office 12-developed prototype tenement or condo-type housing for the low-income families. We make it livable and decent for them," DHSUD 12 Region Director Jennifer Bretaña said. 

Director Bretaña presented  the DHSUD 12-crafted housing design and plan during the Urban Design and Development Expo 2022 and launching of the Pambansang Pabahay  para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF in 2028 Program at The Farm@Carpenter Hill, this city, on October 28. 

"We call this, in short, as GIRL -- it's green, it's inclusive, it's resilient, and it's livable," she said.

GIRL consists of four mid-rise tenement buildings that form a circular community with a green open spaces for parks and recreation purposes at the center. It has four access points for connectivity and  transportation. 

The ground floors of the buildings are designated as business center from which the LGU could generate income by leasing units to residents and other interested businesses. 

An important feature of the housing project design, Director Bretaña pointed out, is the provision of a hydroponic agriculture setup on the veranda of each condominium unit.

"Why should they plant? Because the projected income [from the hydroponic garden] can help them in paying loan amortization,"  Bretaña said. 

The DHSUD 12 chief emphasized that the  implementation of the said housing project depends largely on the support of the local governments that will adopt the design. 

"LGUs play important role. First, they will provide the land. We already have the design, which they can enroll under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program. They will also identify the beneficiaries. Once the program is there, they will also manage it. The commercial spaces are for LGUs to lease; that's another income generation for the local government unit. 

"Secondly, they will not only generate income from the lease. They also need to help the beneficiaries, the residents, by linking to markets the products of the hydroponics by providing a "Bagsakan" at the first floor, the business center, she said. 

Under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa  Pilipino Program, LGUs may partner with developers that will  finance and build the project, which will then be taken out by the Home Development Mutual Fund (PagIBIG). Beneficiaries will pay the amortization to PagIBIG for up to 30 years. 

Director Bretaña explained that in Marcos Jr's housing program, shelter project beneficiaries will pay much lesser since the national government will subsidize 5 percent of the 6-percent loan interest of the drawn housing loan. 

Through the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF in 2028, the government hopes to build 1 million housing units each year until 2028 to close the housing gap of 6.5 million. 

In Soccsksargen Region, the housing gap is estimated at 148,000, Bretaña said.