QUEZON CITY, (PIA)—The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is warning the public against unscrupulous individuals who use the name of the Agency for collecting membership fee allegedly intended to avail of the government’s housing program.

In a statement, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said no membership or registration fees should be collected from individuals hoping to benefit from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program.

 “Marami hong kumakalat na akala po binabayaran ang membership para makapagpalista sa ‘Pambansang Pabahay.’ Hindi po kami humihingi na anumang bayad at mismong local government unit (LGU) po ang nakikipag-usap tungkol d’yan,” Secretary Acuzar said.

“Kaya dapat sa local government po dumiretso [ang mga interesado] dahil sa LGUs rin naman po namin ipapasa ang matatapos naming projects,” he added.

Acuzar also emphasized that interested beneficiaries do not need to be members of housing associations or groups in order to be part of PBBM’s housing program, suggesting that they instead become members of the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund which has various financial schemes that can assist them in availing ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ units.

“I would also like to emphasize that we are not soliciting any donations from the private sector or government officials for the program. For such information, please directly report this to any of our offices nationwide,” Acuzar said.

Aside from the DHSUD, the public can also inquire details of the program from the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corporation and National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, all of which are the Department’s key shelter agencies and are also working with the government in advancing the national housing program.

Meanwhile, the DHSUD secretary bared that the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program was devised by the President primarily for the less privileged working force, especially those employed in urban areas but do not have their own houses. This is highlighted by the program’s thrust to build in-city resettlements where workplaces and trade hubs, as well as educational and health institutions are located.

Further, the program promotes township development to ensure sustainability and economic activities within the housing sites. (dhsud/pia-ncr)