5,000 more Yuhum housing units to be constructed starting February

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The city government will build an additional 5,000 housing units under the socialized housing project here dubbed “Yuhum Residences”, this time in two new locations, starting next month.

Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez and Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in Manila last Thursday for the additional units of Yuhum Residences, particularly in Barangays Banago and Estefania here.

In a press briefing yesterday, Councilor Vladimir Gonzales, chairman of the Committee on Urban Poor, Housing, and Resettlement, said that 3,627 condominium-type housing units comprised of 13 buildings with seven floors will be constructed in a 3.5-hectare property in Barangay Banago, while they are targeting to build an initial of 1,440 units in a 2.4-hectare property in Barangay Estefania.

Benitez said that one of the requirements is that the house construction should not cover more than 50 percent of the property and have an open space and a park for people to enjoy.

Benitez said on Monday that Acuzar is very involved in the said project, as he has to see the amenities first before the construction commences.

The mayor said that the Yuhum Housing program will probably have the best amenities. “We see the full support of the national government that’s why wala ko kulba na mag sige-sige ini,” he added.

Meanwhile, Benitez said that the turnover of housing units in Barangay Vista Alegre with President Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos Jr. is scheduled on February 14, including the groundbreaking of the housing units in Barangays Banago and Estefania.

Acuzar and real estate developer William Scheirman, Jr. visited the first site of Yuhum Residences in Barangay Vista Alegre in November last year.

This project, which is designed for informal settlers, is under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).