The city government here will turn over an initial 296 housing units at the Asenso Yuhum Residences-Arao, implemented under the Pambansang Pabahay Para Sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, in December.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced the development as part of his presentation on the Bacolod City Master Plan before key stakeholders and various sectors at L’ Fisher Hotel on Friday.

“Next month, we will turn over our first 4PH housing to the beneficiaries,” he said.

The Pag-IBIG Fund already approved the 296 beneficiaries to avail of the housing units, with an area of at least 24 square meters each, in Barangay Vista Alegre.

As of November this year, four buildings have already been constructed that will be occupied by the initial batch of beneficiaries.

The first and second towers have 64 units each, the third tower has 80 units, and the fourth tower has 88 units.

In the Arao Residences, the city government aims to build 25 buildings for 4,596 housing units.

The first four buildings were constructed through the city’s joint venture agreement with the consortium of WRS Holdings Inc. and Scheirman Construction Consolidated Inc.

The housing development will have a vast open space with amenities like a park, a large swimming pool, a clubhouse/multi-purpose hall, a basketball court, commercial spaces, and parking lots.

In 2023, Bacolod was the first local government unit to sign an agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to implement the 4PH, the flagship shelter program of the Marcos administration. (PNA)