PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called for enhanced partnerships between the government and the private sector in providing decent and affordable shelter for Filipinos, especially those needing relocation from areas tagged as “danger zones” under his administration’s Build, Better, More Housing Program.

The Chief Executive made the call as he led housing-related events — the groundbreaking of the fourth Disiplina Village in Arkong Bato, Valenzuela City and the ceremonial turnover of 1,380 housing units under the St. Gregory Homes Project in Barangay Panghulo, Malabon City.

The St. Gregory Homes Project is a resettlement site comprising 23 five-story low-rise buildings with 1,380 residential units built through a partnership between the NHA and the Malabon LGU.

It is aimed at providing safe and decent housing to residents, particularly informal settler families (ISFs) living along Malabon City’s waterways and danger zones, and those affected by the construction of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) pumping stations.

The President said that ensuring the success of the government’s human settlements and housing projects is close to his heart, noting that solving the country’s housing backlog is among the government’s priorities.

“This is why I challenged myself and my fellow workers in government from the DHSUD (Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development), NHA (National Housing Authority), and most especially the LGUs (local government units) to address the housing situation during my term as President,” Marcos said during the event.

“I again designated the NHA, DHSUD, and other concerned government agencies to continue scrutinizing ways on how to solve our housing problem and ensure no one will get left behind and neglected in our collective effort to achieve progress and growth,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the President bared they are now studying laws that will allow them to convert idle state-owned lands into sites for his administration’s various housing projects.

“The government is continuously trying to build more houses for our countrymen. We are now studying how we can turn idle government land into housing sites, as provided for by our laws,” he said.

The Chief Executive also reiterated that he wants to make sure that future occupants of the planned housing units will have enough opportunities for sources of livelihood using their talents and skills.