LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (PIA) – Around 2,000 families affected by the North-South Commuter Railway project in Los Baños, Laguna, are set to benefit from a housing initiative launched by the municipal government under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program.
Key officials from the Los Baños municipal government, together with representatives from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region IV-A, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the China Construction Front General Development Corporation, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of the town’s first-ever housing project.
The housing project will feature 17 vertical buildings across a 4.8-hectare site, complete with high-quality recreational and commercial amenities.
As a key shelter agency under DHSUD, SHFC is tasked with providing socialized housing financing solutions, prioritizing urban poor, informal settlers, informal sectors, and low-income families.
Mayor Anthony Genuino said that the project targets to benefit 2,120 families, supporting not only housing needs but also future livelihoods. He also mentioned that the local government plans to expand the project after the successful completion of the first phase.
“In Los Baños, we have approximately 5,000 settlers, and we hope to acquire additional land so that the first phase of over 2,000 units can expand to nearly 5,000, achieving our goal of ensuring that all families in Los Baños have their own homes.” Genuino said.
Annalie Elizalde, a 12-year resident of Barangay Tadlac living near the railway, expressed hope that she and her family will be among the beneficiaries, as the project promises to improve their living conditions and reduce their vulnerability to disasters.
“This project is a great help to me and my family. We live in one of the disaster-prone areas near the railway, and we suffer from severe flooding whenever it rains. We are among the most affected by calamities, so we are truly grateful for this initiative,” Elizalde said.
The affordable housing units, with lower monthly amortization costs due to various subsidies, are expected to be ready by 2025. (CO/PIA-4A)
