DHSUD says more firms express interest in building housing projects

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said more private firms have expressed interest in building affordable housing through the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.

In particular, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said Megawide Construction Corporation has committed to undertake the 4PH project in Imus City, Cavite.

Acuzar said the participation of reputable private contractors like Megawide boosts the success of 4PH as the program is anchored on taping private funds for the development of government housing.

“This will significantly contribute to the current administration objective of addressing the country’s housing needs by providing Filipino families with safe, decent, and affordable housing in sustainable communities, he explained.

Acuzar noted that the said project in Cavite consists of the construction of five mid-rise condominium towers inside a 1.7-hectare property located at the heart of Cavite’s sprawling districts and is only 400 meters from the New Imus City Hall.

The DSHUD chief said the development is expected to offer convenience, accessibility, and mobility, not to mention the exciting opportunities it will present.

Meanwhile, PH1WD General Manager for Horizontal Development Eric Gregor Tan said public-private sector collaboration like this is very encouraging especially those focusing on underserved segments such as housing.

“We believe that this residential development will benefit both residents from Imus and potential residents from Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila,” Tan said.

PH1WD is a subsidiary of engineering and infrastructure conglomerate of Megawide, which has undertaken other government infrastructure projects.

These include the 10,000 public classroom units under the Public-School Infrastructure Project; the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange; the Mactan Cebu International Airport; and the construction of Clark International Airport.

The 4PH has already been rolled out and implemented in other areas around the country, according to Acuzar.

Acuzar noted that cooperation among major stakeholders will be critical in replicating this model in more vicinities and is key to addressing the country’s increasing housing backlog.