Caraga set to gain from gov’t housing program
By NORA C. LANUZA
BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga region has expanded its participation in the implementation of the “Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino Program” (4PH) with four local government units recently signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The City of Bislig and Lanuza town in the province of Surigao del Sur, the municipality of Dapa in Surigao del Norte, and the town of Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur joined the initial three LGUs—the City of Butuan, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte, and Buenavista in the province of Agusan del Norte—to implement the housing program. These LGUs have already identified their respective sites for the building of vertical housing units and have initiated the documentation process.
The 4PH is a flagship housing program of the government which aims to address informal settlements and establish livable communities by providing decent housing for the Filipino people, as anchored in Executive Order No. 34, series of 2023.
As a response to the directive of the government, Mayor Marvin Azarcon of the municipality of Lanuza, Surigao del Sur expressed their excitement and commitment to fully implementing the 4PH program in their area, as this will help their constituents.
“We will assure you that the 4PH program will be handled well in our area, and we will empower the homeowners’ organizations, as vital to the success of this program,” said Mayor Azarcon.
Also, Councilor Renante Desiata, who represented the local chief executive of Butuan City, also showed gratitude to DHSUD for acknowledging their contributions and efforts in addressing the housing backlogs of the city and the country as a whole.
Together with Cabadbaran City in the province of Agusan del Norte and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur, they were recognized by the DHSUD along with the homeowners associations for giving value and significance to communities in the development of an inclusive and safe settlement.
As a testament to the progress of the program implementation in the region, the DHSUD – Caraga, along with its attached agencies, namely, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC), National Housing Authority (NHA), and Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), conducted the awarding of the SHFC of the 21 lot titles to beneficiaries of three Community Mortgage Program (CMP) projects in Butuan City, to wit, the Butuan Homeowners Association Inc. (HOAI), the Sta. Cruz HOAI, and the Guingona HOAI.
DHSUD Caraga Regional Director Cristie Y. Reyes congratulated and expressed her gratitude to the LGUs and partners for signifying their support to address the housing backlog in the region through the implementation of the 4PH. Reyes also acknowledged the contribution of the different homeowners associations in the region.
“Your signing of this MOU signifies your commitment to address the housing backlog, and I am grateful for all your support. We are just starting. We are looking into a more collaborative partnership with you,” said Dir. Reyes.
The 4PH continues to invite more LGUs to take part in the program, as housing is a vital part of nation-building and a symbol of progress against poverty. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)
