For an upcoming episode of my NET25 morning show “Ano Sa Palagay N’yo,” I recently had the privilege of interviewing Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar, Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), whose primary task is the responsible management of housing settlement and urban development.
When he was appointed DHSUD Secretary, Jerry was directed by Pres. Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) to address the daunting backlog of six million housing units for informal settlers and low-income earners across the country. The mandate was to build at least one million homes every year for the next six years until PBBM’s term ends in 2028. Aside from this, he was recently tasked to lead the multi-agency Pasig River rehabilitation project dubbed as “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM), a pet project of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
The 500-meter esplanade has been drawing a lot of tourists since it opened with many “instagrammable” spots. When the sun sets, it becomes even more magical when the neoclassical inspired street lights are turned on. And the best part is it’s free!
Meanwhile, what is Sec. Jerry’s game plan to accomplish his gargantuan tasks? Read on.
How did you become a member of PBBM’s cabinet?
“I met PBBM when he came to our resort in Bataan, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, to shoot a video for his campaign for the presidency in 2022. While there, he asked what I did for a living, and I told him I was in the housing business and condominium development. Two days after PBBM was declared president, I got a call from Benhur Abalos Jr. informing me that PBBM wanted me to join his cabinet as secretary of DHSUD. I politely declined and said that I was not interested in the position and that there will be conflict of interest.
“A few days after, I got another call from then Executive Secretary Vic Rodriquez repeating the same offer. I politely declined again until Vic reminded me not to put the President in an embarrassing situation. And so I thought, ‘Who am I to say no to the President’? So I accepted the offer much to the disappointment of my family and close friends. However, I had one condition, that I will stay for only one year and try to fix the system. When I saw PBBM the second time, it was already during my oath-taking. There, he told me to stay on and ‘mag-tuloy-tuloy ka na sa akin’ and all I could say was, ‘Yes, Sir!’”
How do you plan to build one million homes a year? Where will you get funding?
“We need about P1.2 trillion to build a million homes or nine trillion pesos to build six million homes. I have to think of a formula that will enable the government to build houses through private funds. The problem of the poor is that they cannot afford to buy houses and they have no access to funds or bank loans. So the government will be the developer. We currently have 39 projects under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH). When this is completed, we will have around 100,000 housing units available. That’s a long way off from the one million units but this will get the ball rolling.”
Another ambitious project is the Pasig River rehabilitation project. How did your office become the lead agency in this project?
“The First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos, called me one time and said that sometimes she can smell the stench of Pasig River from Malacañang. She asked me to look for ways to solve the problem but warned me that she wants a long-term solution. So, I went to the office and met with my undersecretaries and the first step was to tap other government agencies to come on board. We presented to the First Lady the plans from start to finish and from there she asked us to present to the President. Immediately, the President and First Lady called for an inter-agency meeting and appointed me as lead for the Pasig rehabilitation project. Then the First Lady asked if we could have a showcase so the project can speak for itself.
“The 500-meter showcase area was unveiled last Jan. 17 and made possible through private donors. Government funds were not used otherwise it will require public bidding. The whole project will run 27 kilometers from Manila Bay all the way to Laguna de Bay. It aims to create commercial hubs, public parks, bicycle lanes and promenades. Part of the plan is to build a central park at the end of the Pasig River in Laguna de Bay. This is 150 hectares of reclaimed land and when fully developed, there will be lots of trees, an alternative to Luneta Park.”
What do you want to be remembered for when you step down as DHSUD Secretary?
“Together with PBBM, I would like to leave the cabinet with affordable and decent housing for the poor and low-income families within the city so that it will be accessible to their place of work.”