President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday praised the Manila City government’s in-city public housing program, calling the newly inaugurated San Lazaro Residences a model that other local governments should emulate for its integrated services and rapid construction.
Speaking at the launch of the 20-story residential complex in Manila, Mr. Marcos highlighted how the project goes beyond providing shelter by embedding essential services directly into the community, including a PhilHealth-accredited health center inside the building.
“It wouldn’t be enough; you would only be building a house,” President Marcos told residents and city officials.
“The life of a person is not just housing; if there’s a need, there is a service… I just saw that there is a health center inside,” he added.
The President credited the Manila City government for driving the project, which was funded through Land Bank and developed under the city’s urban housing ordinance.
The measure reserves affordable units for low-income Manila residents and government workers with Salary Grade 18 and below.
Mr. Marcos said the San Lazaro complex, which features community facilities and even a rooftop swimming pool, reflects the city’s broader in-city housing program that began with the Tondominium 1 and 2 projects, followed by the Binondominium, Pedro Gil Residences, San Sebastian Residence, and Basecommunity.
Earlier, the President also visited Baseco Hospital to inspect its services for nearby communities.
Mr. Marcos cited Manila’s ability to finish some of its housing projects in as little as three months, saying the pace outstrips that of national government agencies.
“We need to be taught by you how to do that,” he joked, adding that Manila’s approach demonstrates what strong coordination between national and local governments can achieve.
The President also referenced Manila’s older residential infrastructure, including the BLISS housing projects built during the time of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, as part of the Human Settlements Ministry.
Those developments, he said, helped institutionalize the “human settlements” approach, building complete communities, not just houses.
President Marcos congratulated the city and future beneficiaries of the project, calling the development an example of how integrated government efforts can address housing shortages and improve living conditions for urban families.
