As one of the first local government units to sign up for the Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino (4PH) program, Bacolod City is supporting all feasible modalities being pushed by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to make 4PH more inclusive and sustainable.
In a press briefing on Monday, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he welcomes the recalibration of the program as the city government is implementing the Asenso Yuhum Residences, a multi-story condominium-type development in Barangay Vista Alegre.
“That’s really okay. The program in Vista Alegre is designed for a specific market. If we want to be comprehensive and inclusive, we need different modalities,” he said.
Among these are horizontal developments or subdivision-like housing projects, and rental housing support which are being explored by the DHSUD under newly-appointed Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
Benitez said the city government has procured a 17-hectare lot in Barangay Granada, which is adjacent to its current relocation site, to also pursue horizontal housing projects.
Meantime, the Asenso Yuhum Residences has a huge market acceptance, he noted.
“There are several applicants who want to avail of the housing units because they see it as a viable option. We will continue the project and now that we have a new DHSUD Secretary, hopefully we can accelerate our housing program,” he said.
In March this year, the city government turned over the keys to buyer-beneficiaries of the 64-unit second tower of the Asenso Yuhum Residences.
The first batch, also comprising 64 occupants, received their housing units in Building 1 in January.
An initial 296 buyer-beneficiaries, approved through the Home Mutual Development (Pag-IBIG) Fund, have been identified to occupy the first four towers.
The third building has 80 units while the fourth has 88, according to the Bacolod Housing Authority.*PNA