By Alec Go
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Wednesday (July 14) expressed confidence in achieving, even exceeding, the current administration’s housing projects of 1.1 million units.
DHSUD Sec. Eduardo del Rosario said during the first leg of Pamana ng Pagbabago 2021, a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2021 series, that they are 82% toward meeting the Philippine Development Plan housing target for 2017 to 2022 as of March 31.
“We have constructed or assisted 928,000 Filipino families to have a house of their home, or assisted them so that they will be able to have their dream houses,” Del Rosario said, adding that they still have more than a year to meet the completion.
“We will be able to accomplish a minimum of 100% or even exceed the target of housing during this administration. If we meet that target, it would mean that the economic situation of the general public will be alleviated, also because housing construction is a pump primer in the economy,” he added.
The official said housing construction involves the services of 80 allied sectors, which triggers economic activities.
Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster (HDPRC) Chairperson Rolando Bautista stated in his report that 928,953 families have been given affordable housing since 2016.
Bautista, who is also the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said the government has also distributed 168,741 land hectares given to 118,715 agrarian beneficiaries, totaling 300,000 residential and agricultural free patents.
“Sa huling taon ng administrasyon, mas inspirado kami sa HDPRC na lalo pag-ibayuhin ang aming pagsisikap na maihatid ang mga programa at serbisyo na lalong maglalapit sa bawat mahihirap at bulnerableng Pilipino sa mas maaliwalas na bukas,” he said.
The Pamana ng Pagbabago 2021 is part of the preparations for the upcoming final State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte on July 26 at the Batasang Pambansa.
The second leg of the series for the Participatory Governance Cluster will be aired on July 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – jlo
