The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has engaged representatives of the Partido Lakas ng Masa-Urban Poor Communities in a dialogue.

In a news release on Monday, the DHSUD said the meeting highlighted the inclusive and in-city housing under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar led the dialogue, providing a platform for the community leaders to raise housing concerns at the grassroots level.

Acuzar said Marcos instructed that decent, safe, and affordable shelters must be provided to Filipinos, particularly the urban poor.

“Sa 4PH, in-city at on-site housing projects ang hatid ng Marcos Jr. administration, at kasama ang urban poor sa ating prayoridad (The Marcos Jr. administration brings in-city and on-site housing projects through the 4PH, and the urban poor is included in our priority list),” he said.

During the meeting, the group proposed ways to strengthen government initiatives for informal settler families in highly urbanized areas.

Acuzar conceded that stronger collaboration between the government and grassroots communities is needed to align government initiatives.

“Ang tunay na pag-unlad ay hindi lamang nasusukat sa dami ng gusaling naipatayo kundi sa kung ilang pamilya ang nabigyan ng pagkakataong umunlad (True development is measured not only through the number of established buildings but also through the number of families given the opportunity to improve),” he said.

He also reaffirmed the DHSUD’s commitment to sustained consultations to create “fair and responsive housing strategies.” (PNA)