The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has commenced construction on a vital low-cost rental housing project for constituents at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) in Laguna, a Palace official announced on Tuesday. The development is a flagship undertaking under the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
Speaking at a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared that concrete pouring activities for the residential complex officially began on August 24, marking a major milestone in fulfilling the administration’s core pledge to bring essential government services closer to every Filipino family.
“Alinsunod sa mithiin ng Pangulo na ilapit sa bawat Pilipino ang serbisyo ng gobyerno, kahapon, August 24, ay sinimulan na ang concrete pouring sa itinatayong rental housing units para sa constituents ng UP-Los Baños,” said PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro, Palace Press Officer.
Undersecretary Castro underscored the exceptional speed of the project’s development, noting that only a few months have passed since the groundbreaking ceremony was held in March. Despite the tight timeline, construction has already advanced to full-blast operations. “Nitong Marso lamang ginanap ang groundbreaking ceremony ng proyekto… ilang buwan lang ang nakalipas ay full-blast na ang construction nito. Ang mabilis na progreso ng proyekto ay katibayan ng nagpapatuloy na kampanya ng pamahalaan upang maghatid ng maayos at may dignidad na pabahay sa mga mamamayan,” said Castro.
Designed to cater directly to the immediate academic and residential community, the initial phase of the UPLB rental housing project will deliver 320 dedicated housing units. These homes are earmarked for low-income university employees, students, and informal family settlers residing in areas surrounding the campus.
The formal concrete pouring milestone drew key national and academic leaders, demonstrating a unified inter-agency commitment to the 4PH housing mandate. Among the high-ranking officials in attendance were:
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Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling — Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)
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Senior Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr. — DHSUD
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President Angelo Jimenez — University of the Philippines System
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Dr. Jose Camacho Jr. — Chancellor, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
The 4PH Program stands as the Marcos administration’s cornerstone national housing initiative, meticulously formulated to tackle the country’s longstanding housing backlog by constructing affordable, decent, and sustainable communities. Housing options under the Expanded 4PH Program include high-rise condominiums, horizontal subdivision-type housing, and targeted municipal rental housing programs.
Related 4PH milestones nationwide:
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Davao City: 2,600 condominium units successfully completed in Davao People’s Ville under PBBM’s initiative, with local beneficiaries expressing deep gratitude to President Marcos for their new homes.
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Marikina City: The PBBM administration successfully delivered decent, secure homes to 44 families under the Expanded 4PH Program rollout.
