BAGUIO CITY (PIA)– The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development – Cordillera (DHSUD-CAR) continues to engage the various local government units (LGUs) in the region for the successful implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program, a flagship program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

“Umiikot po kami sa mga LGUs getting their full support and commitment and for now, may mga naka-pipeline po tayo na mga LGUs na sana, by second or third quarter ay makapag-sign na rin po kami ng MOU,” Atty. Concepcion Mandiit of DHSUD-CAR said during the Regional Social Development Committee 2nd Quarter Meeting in May 11.

Mandiit said that validation is ongoing at Tadiangan in Tuba, Benguet, the proposed site by LGU Tuba.

The DHSUD-CAR is also waiting for the La Trinidad Sangguniang Bayan Resolution for the development of a site in Tawang, which was allotted for resettlement as mandated under a presidential proclamation.

The LGUs of Villaviciosa in Abra and Conner in Apayao have also submitted their letters of intent and the proposed sites are subject for inspection, she added.

There are already two LGU-led 4PH program in the region. Memorandum of understanding were already signed between the DHSUD and the concerned LGU for the Topinao Socialized Housing Project in Tuba, Benguet as well as the proposed project in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

 DHSUD Secretary Jose Acuzar will grace the groundbreaking of the Topinao Socialized Housing Project on Wednesday, May 17.

 “The housing units to be produced will be available and accessible to our beneficiaries on a lower cost. Magkakaroon po ng interest subsidy ang mga beneficiaries. Hindi po siya libre but it will be available on a lower cost and meron po tayong 5% subsidy during the period of amortization,” Mandiit explained.

Mandiit said there are also 4PH projects which are private-sector led wherein “acquisition and development of land will be handled by a private partner and the role of the LGU is to identify the beneficiaries.” DHSUD-CAR continues to engage LGUs for 4PH

The 4PH program aims to build one million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units. In Cordillera, the DHSUD-CAR aims to build around 129,000 housing units until 2028 or about 21,500 housing units per year. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)