LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA)—The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the city government of Legazpi broke ground last Friday (Feb. 16) for the construction of an affordable housing complex under the Bagong Pilipinas Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
Housing Undersecretary Emmanuel Pineda together with Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, and Fermin Sta. Teresa Jr. of Home Development Mutual Funds (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund led the ground-breaking ceremony.
The project, dubbed Residencia de Legazpi, is part of President Marcos Jr.’s 4PH, which aims to build one million houses every year, or six million houses by the end of his term in 2028.
An artist's perspective of Resedencia De Legazpi. (Credit: City Government of Legazpi)
The site is located at the 7,379 square meter lot in Barangay 62 Homapon.
Three four-story buildings that will have 372 residential units and 33 commercial spaces are planned to be constructed on the lot by private developer Legazpi Premium Development Corp.
The facilities near the Residencia de Legazpi will consist of schools, parks, playgrounds, a chapel, and many more.
Officials sign the memorandum of agreement for the construction of an affordable housing complex under the Bagong Pilipinas Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) in Legazpi City. (PIA5 photo)
The 4HP event created excitement, especially among ordinary Legazpi residents dreaming of having a home of their own.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno dahil sa pabahay n PBBM, madali maka-apply, abot-kaya ang hulugan, at safe dito,” said Jessa Mae Borcigue, one of the 700 applicants already assessed by HDMF.
“Ito din ang nagbigay sa amin ng bagong pag-asa,” Borcigue added.
In his remarks, Pineda said that President Marcos Jr. aspires to provide Filipino families with resilient and sturdy homes.
“Change is inevitable. The only permanent thing is change, so we need to act so we will all be instruments of positive change,” Pineda said.
“Pagbabago sa buhay ng benepisyaryo dahil hindi lamang ito (Change in the life of the beneficiary because this is not only) human settlements kundi (but also) urban planning or urban development, kasabay ng pagtatayo ng maganda at matibay na bahay ay ang pagkakaroon ng magandang pamayanan (along with building a beautiful and durable house is having a good community),” Pineda added.