The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) underscored President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s focus on the housing and urban development sector under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance during the opening of National Shelter Month 2024 (NSM 2024).
This year’s theme, “Matibay na Tahanan, Matatag na Komunidad Para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasizes the administration’s goal of providing safe, affordable housing and promoting sustainable urban renewal through key programs such as the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the PLANADO (Plan & Do) Program, and the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM) project.
### Focus on Transforming Communities
In his NSM 2024 message, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar highlighted the significance of sustained partnerships with stakeholders to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, which will further invigorate the housing and real estate industry through the three major programs of DHSUD.
“Under these programs, we are not merely building houses, we are transforming communities into resilient and sustainable living spaces with utmost consideration to the protection of the environment, and we are improving the way of life of our people,” Secretary Acuzar stated.
He added, “Sa ilalim ng mga programang ito, isusulong natin ang mga ‘Pamayanang Bago para sa Bagong Mamamayan’ na may malasakit sa kapwa, sa kapaligiran at sa bayan.”
### Call for Unified Action
In his keynote speech, DHSUD Undersecretary Avelino Tolentino III called on all stakeholders to align their efforts in supporting the vision of every Filipino family having a home of their own.
“Big words and an even bigger task, I must say, and many challenges remain along our way. But we have to be bold in pursuing 4PH to address homelessness," said Undersecretary Tolentino.
He urged everyone in the housing and urban development sector to turn challenges into opportunities and to work together towards achieving the shared goal of providing “matitibay na tahanan, matatag na komunidad para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
### National Shelter Month 2024 Opening Program
The opening program for NSM 2024 was held at the DHSUD Central Office in Quezon City, where DHSUD officials and employees, along with representatives from key shelter agencies (KSAs) and private sector guests, participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the week-long housing fair. The fair, located at the ground floor of the DHSUD Building, is open to visitors from October 7 to 11, and features services offered by DHSUD’s KSAs such as:
- Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
- National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC)
- National Housing Authority (NHA)
- Human Settlements Adjudication Commission
- Pag-IBIG Fund
### Observance of World Habitat Day
Undersecretary Randy Escolango, head of the NSM 2024 technical working group, emphasized that the opening program was aligned with the observance of World Habitat Day to showcase DHSUD’s solidarity with global stakeholders in promoting sustainable and climate-resilient housing through active engagements.
“This is to show that DHSUD is one with the global stakeholders in the promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient housing through active engagements,” stated Undersecretary Escolango.
The housing fair also features exhibits by private companies showcasing their housing projects, further promoting public-private partnerships in the housing and urban development sector. Through the initiatives under NSM 2024, DHSUD aims to continue driving positive change in the housing industry and contribute to the overall improvement of Filipino communities.
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