Acuzar: Over 100K houses in 4PH program could be used by next year

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said Monday it is possible that over 100,000 houses being built under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Project will already be finished and used by beneficiaries next year.

"In next year, sa tingin namin na may madedeliver na bahay talaga, na nakatayo, more than a hundred thousand by next year, kasi 'yung iba nagtatayuan pa," Acuzar told reporters when asked how soon could the houses be used.

(In next year, I think we can already deliver more than a hundred thousand by next year because some are still being constructed.)

"'Yung iba kasi, mayroong 12-storey, 25-storey. Pagka 25-storey, umaabot ng almost two years. Pag 12-storey, almost one year and a half," Acuzar added.

(Some are 12-storey, the others are 25-storey. If it's 25-storey, the construction could last for almost two years and if it is 12-storey, it's one year and a half.)

The 4PH aims to build one million housing units annually until 2028 to address the housing backlog in the Philippines.

Asked about the challenges being encountered in the construction of houses, Acuzar said it is difficult for them to search for idle lands where the units will be built.

Acuzar said the goal for one million houses this year could be achievable. However, he mentioned the delay being experienced because of the bidding process.

"'Yung pipeline, siguro in a year’s time, makaka-one million tayo, sa pipeline. kasi alam mo, hindi ganoon kabilis gumawa ng mga projects eh. Siyempre gagawa ng plano, kukuha ng lupa, pinakamabigat diyan yung bidding pag local government property," he explained.

(We can achieve one million that is in the pipeline because you know, it's not that fast to accomplish projects. We will still plan it, look for lands, and there's this bidding process especially if it is a local government property.)

"Pag binid mo 'yan, aabot ng anim na buwan 'yung documentation kaya doon tumatagal... kaya nga ang ating gobyerno, nag-iisip ng paraan para mapabilis, lalo na 'yung bidding process," Acuzar added.

(If you bid that, it might take six months for the documentation. That's why our government is looking for ways to hasten the bidding process.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News