City confirms MOU on ‘Pabahay’ program

The city council passed resolution no. 218, series of 2023, confirming the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered into by the city government of Baguio with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) relative to the implementation and enrollment or participation of the city in the Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino Zero ISF (Informal Settler Families) program for 2028.

The local legislature considered a letter of Mayor Benjamin Magalong dated March 8, this year, forwarding the MOU between DHSUD represented by Sec. Jose Acuzar and the Summer Capital represented by the Mayor to the august body.

The city council’s committee on laws, human rights and justice, in its 2nd Indorsement dated March 22, 2023, recommended the MOU’s formal ratification.

The committee further mentioned that the DHSUD recently issued Department Circular 2023-004 granting authority to the agency’s partment local government units (LGUs) to execute and implement measures to bridge their respective housing gaps under the 4PH program.

It also provides that each partner LGU will act as the lead proponent in the implementation of the housing projects under the program, and that LGUs must formulate local policies and programs to support and facilitate project financing, construction and property management. – Gaby B. Keith