The Cordillera Regional Development Council Housing Subcommittee tackled the “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH)” program of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) during its 1st quarter meeting held on February 13, 2023. As the administration’s flagship housing program, this program aims to narrow the housing gap by constructing one million housing units annually until 2028.
The proposed housing design, unit size, and selling price of the socialized housing projects were presented. Aida Daiwey of the National Housing Authority (NHA) raised that some beneficiaries refused the socialized housing units due to the limited unit space which did not consider the specific housing needs in the region. Atty. Fritz Turqueza, representing the provincial government of Abra, suggested conducting further studies on the livability aspects of the housing units.
Daiwey also brought up the need to identify those who were previously catered to by other shelter agencies. Turqueza put forward the idea that the databases of shelter agencies can be harmonized to create a master list of beneficiaries, adding that this will fast-track the validation process and assist in formalizing the certification of socialized housing unit owners.
The subcommittee also tackled the measures against those who occupy the socialized housing units despite having sufficient income for legitimate housing and persons who have been awarded housing units but sold, leased, or transferred the same. As part of addressing this issue, Nenilu Cacas of DHSUD-CAR encouraged the local governments to establish their local housing boards (LHB) and strengthen the resettlement monitoring function of each LHB.
DHSUD Regional Director Maria Amoroso mentioned that they will continuously conduct consultations with the target beneficiaries and stakeholders to ensure that the housing needs of individuals and households are taken into account.
The Pambansang Pabahay program responds to establishing livable communities as one of the goals of the CAR Regional Development Plan (RDP) for the next six years. The preparation of the RDP is being spearheaded by the NEDA Regional Office in collaboration with the Regional Development Council and its stakeholders. By Legriv Vilee I. Marquez
