CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority announced that its housing project in Barangay Sta. Ana, in the municipality of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, is on track to provide 5,184 units to employees, veterans, and informal settlers in the area.
“Our Veterans Affairs and Community Relations team has listed 3,315 cases, and there are still many more people who want to avail of the program,” said PHIVIDEC Administrator and CEO Joseph Donato Bernedo during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on September 24.
Bernedo addressed concerns that some relocatees might be hesitant to avail of the housing project, emphasizing that ongoing dialogues with the community have helped residents understand the benefits of the Pambansang Pabahay. “I can assure you that there is no hesitation on the ground,” he said.
The PHIVIDEC administrator further explained that the housing project offers a more secure and comfortable living environment for informal settlers. “Ang PHIVIDEC is an industrial estate meant for building industries, so whenever there are locators nga mosulod sa area, ibalhin na pud sila [informal settlers], so wala gyud permanente sa ilang sitwasyon. At the same time, some of the areas that they occupy are not fit for residential as they can be dangerous, especially for children,” he added.
(PHIVIDEC is an industrial estate, so whenever new locators move in, informal settlers may need to relocate. Additionally, some of the areas they occupy are not suitable for residential purposes and can be dangerous, especially for children.)
According to him, the Pambansang Pabahay area, designed specifically for residential purposes, provides a safer and more suitable option for families.
The PHIVIDEC Housing Project is implemented as part of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
DHSUD-10 Regional Director Ariel Abragan said the Pambansang Pabahay project aims to address the country’s housing backlog. “This is a condominium-type building, multi-level with at least four floors. Each unit will have 22-27 square meters, similar to regular condominiums in Cagayan de Oro,” he said.
Abragan emphasized that DHSUD offers the same quality as private contractors and developers, but at a lower cost or monthly amortization due to government interest subsidies.
Other 4PH projects in northern Mindanao include the Panguil Bay Tower and Residences in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, offering 700 affordable housing units. The DHSUD-10 and 16 local government units in the region have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their partnerships on the 4PH program. (APB/PIA-10)
