INFORMAL settler families in Cagayan de Oro City are set to benefit from a new housing initiative following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The agreement, aimed at providing affordable housing solutions, was formalized in Barangay Pagatpat on Monday, March 18, 2024.
City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) assistant department head Cesar Pagapulaan briefed attendees about the project, revealing that a socialized housing initiative in Barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, will be launched to provide homes for 2,200 informal settlers.
The housing project, Pagapulaan said, will be financed through the “Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino” (4Ps) program of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
In Barangay Pagatpat, a property spanning 5.4 hectares is available, with 2.4 hectares already developed.
The goal is to construct 2,200 housing units in mid-rise buildings on the remaining undeveloped land.
Meanwhile, Mayor Uy, during his address, reported that the city’s housing backlog exceeds 40,000 units, with 32,000 applications currently on file with CHUDD.
The city also owns property in Lumbia that could accommodate up to 20,000 housing units, he added.
With the MOU in place, the city government and DHSUD will collaborate to develop a total of 22,200 housing units in Cagayan de Oro City under DHSUD’s “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino” program, also known as 4Ps.
These units will cater to families affected by the city’s boulevard development and clearing operations in Barangay Consolacion, as well as to the city’s minimum wage earners.
Addressing the crowd during the signing ceremony, Mayor Uy emphasized that the housing program prioritizes providing opportunities for underprivileged families to own decent homes.
Mayor Uy said that the dream of having decent housing has now become a reality for our less fortunate community members.
He also revealed that the next phase of the initiative will focus on providing housing solutions for city government employees who currently do not own homes, with plans to extend the program to the city’s police officers in the future.
As part of the agreement outlined in the MOU, the City will allocate a portion of its land to DHSUD for the construction of the housing project.
Additionally, the City government will take the lead in identifying beneficiaries for the housing units.
The collaboration between the city government and DHSUD marks a significant step towards addressing the housing needs of marginalized communities in Cagayan de Oro City, Uy stated.
He added that by providing access to affordable housing solutions, the initiative aims to uplift the living conditions of informal settler families and contribute to the overall development and well-being of residents in the city.
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