PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar yesterday led the “mega groundbreaking” of six housing projects in Bulacan province, which could generate up to 30,000 shelter units.

The simultaneous launching is another testament of the continuing rollout of the administration’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program aimed at building 1 million housing units annually until 2028 to address the country’s housing backlog pegged at more than 6.5 million units.

A total of 12, 563 housing units will be constructed during the initial phase of the six projects. But based on the submitted master development plans, the projects could generate about 30,000 shelters when expanded into additional phases.

Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude as the administration’s flagship housing program reached the grassroots and their respective areas. They branded 4PH as a huge step towards realizing their dream of owning a house of their own.

Farmer Ruben Avila Sr., from San Jose Del Monte City said: “Pinakamaganda nga ‘yung programa na para magkaroon (ng bahay) ang mga tao na walang bahay, lalung-lalo na ako, wala akong sariling lupa, walang sariling bahay kaya magpapasalamat sa Presidente kung magkakaroon kami o ako man lang o kaming lahat ditong mga magsasaka.”

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Pangulong BBM…at nabigyan kami ng ganitong pagkakataon na magkaroon ng pabahay dito sa aming lugar.

Nagpapasalamat po kami dahil sa bandang huli syempre yung mga anak namin magkakaroon ng matatawag na sariling kanila po, para sa amin,” said Marissa Sepato, a volunteer from Bgy. Balato, Pulilan, Bulacan.

Lovelio Mendoza, a driver from Bgy. Balatong 8, Pulilan, Bulacan said: “Ako po ay natuwa, nagkaroon po ako ng pagkakataon na pwedeng mapili, mabigyan ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng slot nga po dito sa pabahay… Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating butihing Presidente na si Bongbong Marcos dahil po sa mga ganitong project na nabibigyan niya ng tulong ‘yung mga katulad naming volunteer worker na mga walang sapat na kakayahan para magkaroon ng sariling bahay o tahanan. Dito po siguro marami siyang matutulungan na mabigyan ng pagkakataon po.”

The groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted in San Jose Del Monte City, Pulilan, San Rafael–where President Marcos Jr. and Secretary Acuzar led the events, and in Pandi, Guiguinto and Malolos City where DHSUD key officials along with LGU executives presided over the activities.

Also in attendance were key shelter agency heads and government financial institution executives.

In Barangay Gaya-gaya, San Jose Del Monte City, the Rising City Residential Project composed of nine 8-story buildings with initial target of at least 1,890 housing units and commercial area on a 6.9-hectare (ha) was the first site inaugurated.

This was followed by the groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Caingin in San Rafael town for the 7-ha San Rafael Heights Development

Project where 3,920 residential condominium units will be initially constructed.

Then the President and Acuzar proceeded to Pulilan town for the inauguration of the Mom’s Ville Homeowners Association Incorporated project in Barangay Penabatan, which will be composed initially of eight 10-story residential buildings with 1,920 housing units in a 2-ha property.