Newly-appointed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling vowed to recalibrate the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program to include horizontal developments.
Aliling, who replaced Jose Rizalino Acuzar in the latest Cabinet revamp under the Marcos Jr. administration, also stressed his “zero tolerance” to corruption. Acuzar, who was named Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Development, expressed full confidence in the ability of his successor.
Aliling stressed the need for “improved, expanded” housing program. “4PH will now include horizontal developments. We will prioritize the preparation of the 4PH guidelines for horizontal developments. In doing so, we can expect 4PH numbers to improve significantly,” he said.
The original 4PH was focused on vertical housing or multi-story, condominium-type of housing projects. Horizontal developments, meanwhile, include subdivision-type housing projects.
Meanwhile, some insiders from the Department of Health have come to the defense of Dr. Ted Herbosa’s leadership. Supporters of Dr. Herbosa said the allegations threatening his position are both unfounded and unfair.
Senator Joel Villanueva said earlier he supports President Marcos’ call for the courtesy resignation of Cabinet officials, while zeroing in on DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s frequent foreign travels.
Herbosa’s supporters said his foreign trips were official and yielded significant benefits for the Philippines. Notably, he secured a $25-million grant from the Pandemic Fund and was credited with facilitating the delivery of tuberculosis drugs for multidrug-resistant TB from the Stop TB Global Partnership, valued at over $150,000.
Herbosa also played a key role in obtaining a $400-million soft loan from the World Bank. These achievements complement other acquisitions, including digital technology and hospitals from the UAE, as well as funding from the Green Climate Fund, his supporters said.
