President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the inauguration and turnover ceremony of new housing units to displaced families at St. Barts Southville Heights in Barangay San Bartolome, San Pablo City, Laguna.
In his speech, President Marcos said that more than 1,000 house and lot units have been allocated specifically for informal settler families affected by the ongoing construction of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Project-Segment 2-7.
“Ang mga benepisyaryo ng proyektong ito ay mga informal settlers na dating nakatira sa kahabaan ng riles ng tren. At ngayon, masaya nating ipinagdiriwang na may mas ligtas, mas maayos na tahanan na mayroon kayong mauuwian na,” the President said.
President Marcos stressed that the government’s goal is not just to improve public infrastructure but also to provide safe and decent homes for displaced communities.
“Ito po ang layunin natin: kasabay ng pagpapaunlad natin sa imprastraktura, ay ang pagginhawa ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” the President said. “Walang iniiwan. Walang isinasantabi. At walang pinapabayaan.”
The housing project was implemented through the collaboration of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Housing Authority (NHA), and the local government of San Pablo City. It is part of the administration’s flagship housing program, Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH).
To address the basic needs of resettled families, President Marcos announced that the project will also include the construction of vital public facilities, such as an elementary school, a multipurpose covered court, a health center, a daycare center, a tricycle terminal, and a local market.
“Kaya’t dito sa St. Barts ay hindi lang basta pabahay. Hangad nating bumuo ng komunidad na may maayos na tirahan at kumpletong pasilidad,” President Marcos said.
“Sa ganitong sistema, mabibigay natin ang mas maginhawa, mas maunlad, mas komportableng pamumuhay para sa bawat pamilya,” the President added.
In an interview, NHA General Manager Joeben Tai said that a total of 1,099 housing units were turned over. Each unit has a 40-square-meter lot area and a 27-square-meter floor area, with two bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, and a dirty kitchen.
Tai explained that beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month grace period with no payment. After which, they will pay PhP800 per month for the first five years. The whole amortization period will span 25 to 30 years, depending on the beneficiary’s financial capacity.
The DOTr and PNR will determine the eligibility of the beneficiaries, said Tai.
Tai also shared that six more housing projects are in the pipeline for informal settlers in Quezon Province.
The construction of the PNR South Long Haul Project will not only affect San Pablo but also displace communities in Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Pagbilao in Quezon Province.
The railway project is a major government transportation initiative spanning 577 kilometers, forming a 33-station rail line that connects Metro Manila to Batangas and Bicol.
It is expected to significantly reduce travel time from Manila to Legazpi and open more economic opportunities in southern Luzon.
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