All housing units under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s flagship “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino” (4PH) program promote climate resiliency, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Monday said.
“All 4PH projects are of good quality since aside from being compliant with the Building Code, the government is very much focused, along with the local government units in putting up housing projects,” Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.
“The department ensures that our 4PH projects are not sitting in hazardous or disaster-prone areas, and that these are aligned with the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plans and Local Shelter Plans of our LGUs,” he added.
Mr. Marcos earlier directed the DHSUD to explore climate-resilient housing designs to mitigate the effects of natural disasters to human settlements and ensure the safety of beneficiaries of public housing.
The agency is also spearheading the “Plan and Do” or the “Planado” program that integrates climate change considerations into urban planning processes with a focus on developing sustainable and resilient communities through streamlined land use planning and coordination with various stakeholders.
The program ultimately aims to create cities that can better withstand the impacts of climate change like flooding and extreme weather events.
To date, 56 projects under 4PH are in various stages of development and construction, some already having completed buildings.
Acuzar said he is elated that the government is now reaping the initial fruits of the flagship housing program two years after its formulation.
“These ongoing turn over of units and simultaneous development and construction of housing projects are solid proofs of concepts that 4PH is on the right track. It is proof that we can tap private funds for public housing,” he said.