President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday led the inauguration of the St. Barts Southville Heights Housing Project in Barangay San Bartolome, San Pablo City, turning over new homes to more than 1,000 families displaced by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul project.
President Marcos said the project was part of his administration’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, which aims to provide “housing with dignity” and build complete communities instead of just rows of houses.
“With the opening of the doors to a new home comes new hope for so many families,” President Marcos told beneficiaries. “It doesn’t just mean having a house. It means we are building a whole community,” he added.
The housing site will feature an elementary school, a multipurpose covered court, a health center, a daycare facility, a tricycle terminal, and a public market.
Mr. Marcos said the goal is to provide residents not just with shelter but also with access to essential services.
The president also highlighted the passage of Republic Act No. 12216, or the National Housing Authority Act, which extends the NHA’s housing mandate for another 25 years.
“The more homes that are built, the more families that will be helped, and the more lives that will be changed,” he said.
President Marcos urged beneficiaries to care for their new homes and nurture their community.
National Housing Authority General Manager Joeben Tai said the turnover of 1,099 housing units, each featuring a 40-square-meter lot, a 27-square-meter floor area, two bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, and a dirty kitchen.
Beneficiaries will have a six-month grace period before paying P800 monthly for the first five years.
The total amortization period will range from 25 to 30 years, based on their financial capacity.
The ceremony was also attended by Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Laguna Gov. Marisol Aragones-Sampelo, Rep. Loreto Amante, and San Pablo Mayor Arcadio Gapangada Jr.
