By Jessica M. Bacud
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The local government of Tuao, Cagayan and the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development recently inked a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the national housing program in the town, notably for the informal settlers.
Tuao Mayor William N. Mamba signed the pact with DHSUD Assistant Secretary Daryll Bryan Villanueva, representing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, establishing a new partnership under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the 8th floor of the DHSUD Central Office in Quezon City on April 24.
Mamba expressed his gratitude for the inclusion of Tuao in the program and the opportunity to collaborate with the national government in realizing its aim to provide quality and affordable houses for Filipinos.
Mamba addressed the LGU’s intentions for the flagship home initiative, which will ensure its residents a reasonable level of living in addition to creating townships.
“The partnership with DHSUD will give Tuaoeños the opportunity to contribute to the socio-economic growth of the community,” he said.
“This collaboration would enable Tuaoeños particularly families of informal settlers who cannot currently afford to build a house at an affordable cost,” Mamba said.
The housing project’s first phase will house 1,280 families and give them quality accommodation, he said.
The MOU provides for Tuao LGU to establish suitable and secure areas for housing developments, among other criteria.
In attendance for DHSUD were Asec. Villanueva, Usec. Lyle Pasco, and Regional Director Eleanor Ubuan, with Tuao Municipal Councilors Guillermo A. Sumigad Jr., Jose Pocholo C Baligod, Efren B. Castillo, Artemio A. Archibido, and. Nicanor A. Turingan Jr.
The involvement of representatives from various agencies and the interaction with the Local Government of Tuao serve to emphasize the importance of interagency coordination in achieving the program’s goals.
Furthermore, Mamba continues to collaborate with the national government initiatives that benefit and enhance the welfare of Tuao’s populace.
The Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino aims to construct one million homes annually or six million homes overall, over the course of six years.