‘Coast Guardians’ priority Pabahay beneficiaries
THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have agreed to enroll “Coast Guardians” among the priority-beneficiaries of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
This was the subject of a memorandum of agreement signed on Wednesday by DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and PCG Officer-in-Charge Vice Admiral Rolando Punzalan Jr. during the former’ s visit to PCG Headquarters in Manila.
The MOA, which is the first among the country’s uniformed services, formalizes the inclusion of PCG personnel to 4PH Program–initially targeting at least 2,000 Coast Guard personnel as beneficiaries.
Acuzar said that the MOA with PCG is in line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to include men and women in uniform among the priorities of 4PH.
“Kayo po na nasa serbisyo ay laging nasa prayoridad ng ating Pangulo. Isa po sa mga utos nya sa amin ay ang isama kayo sa Pambansang Pabahay,” the DHSUD chief said.
“Para sa akin naman po, marapat lamang na suklian namin ang inyong dedikasyon at serbisyo…maliit na bagay kumpara sa inyong mga sakripisyo para sa bayan,” he added.
For his part, Vice Admiral Punzalan welcomed the partnership as a huge boost to the morale and welfare program of the PCG.
He described the MOA as a” big leap” to the already robust collaboration between DHSUD and PCG, particularly in programs concerning the Pasig River.
Vice Admiral Punzalan said the PCG is excited over the “partnership and synergy” between DHSUD and the PCG.
Secretary Acuzar has tapped Undersecretary Henry Yap to spearhead the collaboration with the Coast Guard.
Apart from the PCG, DHSUD is also eyeing partnerships with the Departments of National Defense and the Interior and Local Government for the inclusion to the 4PH of men and women in uniform under the agencies.
