TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- To hasten the implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region 2 has forged an agreement with seven local government units (LGUs) in the Cagayan Valley region to fast track establishment of the government’s socialized housing project.

OIC Regional Director Grace A. De Vera said seven LGUs in the region have already signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DHSUD as of December 2023 and more LGUs are eyed to partner with them for the implementation of the flagship program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration this year.

She said the 4PH Program aims to construct vertical housing shelters in close proximity to the target beneficiaries' sources of income, service facilities, and amenities. 

“By providing affordable and suitable housing options, the 4PH program intends to reduce the country's housing backlog, currently at 6.5 million, by 2028,” she said.

The seven LGUs include Cauayan City, the City of Ilagan, Roxas, and San Isidro in Isabela province, and Aparri, Santa Ana, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

In Cauayan City, Isabela, the establishment of the 4PH condominium complex has already commenced after the ground-breaking ceremony in January 2023.

Earlier, Mayor Caesar ‘Jaycee’ Dy Jr. said the Cauayan City housing project targets to benefit 1,080 families through the construction of nine 5-storey buildings complete with recreational parks and other amenities.

In Tuguegarao City, Mayor Maila Ting-Que said a condominium complex that consists of four 12-storey buildings will be established, all of which are expected to accommodate 935 local families, including individuals who do not yet have a home of their own.

The condominium complex, with 9,000 units, will rise in Barangay Buntun in the said city.

Roxas Mayor Jonathan Jose C. Calderon also said it is just timely to address the 7, 000 housing backlog of the municipality despite the various housing assistance programs that were extended in their municipality.

There will be three sites in Barangay Sinamar in Roxas: Building 1 with 140 units, Building 2 with 90 units, and a Unit Size with a measurement of 36.30 square meters.

De Vera further said that their department continues to roll out the 4PH program by conducting a series of orientations with the LGUs regionwide.

Just this month, technical personnel of DHSUD conducted a brief orientation about the 4PH to the local chief executives of Diadi in Nueva Vizcaya; Cordon, Sta. Maria, Burgos, Tumauini, San Guillermo, Cabatuan, San Agustin, and Angadanan in Isabela; and in Alcala, Solana, and Lal-lo in Cagayan. (OTB/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)