PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program continuously earns grassroots support, including in Mindanao.

This, after the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao (OPAMINE) on Thursday committed to jointly undertake housing projects under the 4PH Program.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao, signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) during the latter’s visit at the DHSUD Central Office in Quezon City –sealing the partnership.

“This (partnership) is huge for Mindanaoans. DHSUD alone cannot address the housing woes, we need other government offices like yours in order to successfully implement the flagship housing program of the President,” Secretary Acuzar told Secretary Magno.

“Let us work together to help achieve the President’s goal of finally resolving the country’s housing need,” the housing czar added.

For his part, Secretary Magno said “we are honored to be part of this very good program…we are proud to support DHSUD and rest assured that we will actively perform our part.”

Both officials stressed that the ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ is a solid testament to President Marcos Jr.’s “genuine concern” for the ordinary Filipinos, particularly Mindanaoans.

“(This) shows the President’s genuine concern to our kababayans to have good homes for better Filipinos, better Philippines,” Secretary Magno said.

With the MOU, the DHSUD-OPAMINE will now be closely collaborating to undertake housing projects in Eastern Mindanao, comprising the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro.

“We need partners like you (OPAMINE) on the ground to ensure the success of the flagship housing program,” Secretary Acuzar.

Meanwhile, in Northern Luzon, three more municipalities in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan and Aparri have signed up for 4PH.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Mayor Rafael Benemerito II; Mayor Esterlina Aguinaldo of Santa Praxedes in Cagayan, and Aparri Mayor Bryan Dale Chan signed MOUs with DHSUD also on Thursday.

Under “Pambansang Pabahay,” the DHSUD is tasked to build one million houses annually until 2028 to address the housing backlog pegged at 6.5 million units.

Since its launching last September, at least 15 local government units throughout the country have broken ground for their respective housing projects, while some 73 others have signed MOUs –signifying their intent to enroll to the ‘Pambansang Pabahay’.

The program has already gained the support of several government financial institutions, led by the Pag-IBIG Fund which allocated P250 billion for the 4PH, while the President vowed to secure the initial P1 billion funding this year for the interest support.