TO honor overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their sacrifices, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the OFW Party-list inked a partnership for possible housing projects for the country’s “modern-day heroes.”

On Sunday, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and OFW Party-list Representative Marissa Magsino signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would pave the way for a collaboration under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing” (4PH).

The signing came a day before the 121st Labor Day celebration.

“I am particularly excited to seal a partnership with Congresswoman Magsino and the OFW Party-list. Ito po ay isang malaking pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa ating mga OFW at masuklian, kahit paano, ng ating gobyerno, sa pamumuno ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang kanilang sakrispisyo hindi lamang para sa kanilang pamilya kundi para sa bayan,” Acuzar said.

The housing czar lauded the significant contribution of OFWs as “mga bagong bayani” in the country’s overall development, hence, including them as potential beneficiaries of the government’s flagship 4PH Program.

“Kayo pong mga OFWs ay kasama sa aming prayoridad sa pagsusulong ng Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Acuzar added.

He assured the OFW Party-list that DHSUD, as the primary government agency in the management of housing, human settlements and urban development, will continuously work on delivering its mandate to provide decent and affordable shelters to Filipino families dreaming of having a house of their own.

To this end, DHSUD is currently at the height of rolling out the 4PH Program aimed at building one million housing units every year until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

“For some, this is very ambitious, if not impossible. But for us, we take inspiration from these occasions when we seal partnerships with stakeholders, knowing we have your support. Having an ally in the House of Representatives, like Congresswoman Marissa, will definitely boost DHSUD’s efforts to get the much-needed budgetary push to pursue ‘Pambansang Pabahay,’” the housing czar said.

For her part, Magsino vowed to continue backing up the “Pambansang Pabahay” in the legislative scene while her representation promotes the welfare of OFWs around the world, their housing concerns included.

The “Pambansang Pabahay” meantime espouses inclusivity and sustainability as among the guiding principles in its implementation, according to Acuzar.

“Sa ‘Pambansang Pabahay’, walang maiiwan. Everyone wanting to own a home will surely be given an opportunity to pursue this dream.

Thanks to the OFW Party-list for allowing us to fulfill this mission, this time with our kababayan abroad,” Acuzar ended.

To date, DHSUD has partnered with more than 130 local government units (LGUs) nationwide to implement the “Pambansang Pabahay.”