DHSUD: No membership/registration fees under ‘Pambansang Pabahay’
No membership or registration fees should be collected from individuals who
wish to benefit from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM)
Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose
Rizalino Acuzar stressed this during a recent interview amid reports of
unscrupulous individuals using the national housing program to collect payments
from the unsuspecting public.
“Marami hong kumakalat na akala po binabayaran ang membership para
makapagpalista sa ‘Pambansang Pabahay.’ Hindi po kami humihingi na anumang
bayad at mismong local government unit (LGU) po ang nakikipag-usap tungkol
d’yan,” Secretary Acuzar said.
“Kaya dapat sa local government po dumiretso [ang mga interesado] dahil sa LGUs
rin naman po namin ipapasa ang matatapos naming projects,” he added.
Secretary Acuzar likewise emphasized that interested beneficiaries do not need
to be members of housing associations or groups in order to be part of PBBM’s
housing program, suggesting that they instead become members of the Home
Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund which has various financial schemes
that can assist them in availing ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ units.
“I would also like to emphasize that we are not soliciting any donations from
the private sector or government officials for the program. For such
information, please directly report this to any of our offices nationwide,”
Secretary Acuzar warned.
Aside from the DHSUD, the public can also inquire details of the program from
the National Housing Authority, Social Housing Finance Corporation and National
Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, all of which are the Department’s key
shelter agencies and are also working with the government in advancing the
national housing program.
Meanwhile, the DHSUD secretary bared that the Pambansang Pabahay para sa
Pilipino Program is designed by the President primarily for the less privileged
working force, especially those employed in urban areas but do not have their
own houses. This is highlighted by the program’s thrust to build in-city
resettlements where workplaces and trade hubs, as well as educational and health
institutions are located.
Additionally, the program promotes township development to ensure
sustainability and economic activities within the housing
sites. (DHSUD/PIA Caraga)
