Manila: All housing units under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program are of high quality and promote climate resiliency, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said Monday. This assurance comes in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for DHSUD to explore climate-resilient housing designs to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and ensure the safety of public housing beneficiaries.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar emphasized that all 4PH projects comply with the Building Code and are constructed with a strong focus from both the government and local government units (LGUs). He highlighted that these projects are not situated in hazardous or disaster-prone areas and align with the approved comprehensive land use and local shelter plans of LGUs.
The DHSUD has also introduced the "Plan and Do" or Planado program, aimed at promoting climate resiliency by integrating climate change considerations into urban planning processes. This program emphasizes the development of sustainable and resilient communities through streamlined land use planning and coordination with various stakeholders, aiming to create cities better equipped to handle the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and extreme weather events.
Currently, at least 56 projects under the 4PH initiative are in various stages of development and construction. In Nueva Ecija, the first 4PH units at the Palayan City Township Development were handed over to overseas Filipino worker-beneficiaries by the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in December 2024. Similarly, Bacolod City recently began turning over 4PH housing units to beneficiaries at the Asenso Yuhum Residences.
Secretary Acuzar stated that these ongoing turnovers of units, alongside the development and construction of housing projects, serve as solid evidence that the 4PH initiative is on the right track. He added that this progress demonstrates the potential to leverage private funds for public housing.
