BAY, Laguna — The UP-Los Baños 4PH Rental Housing Project has entered full-blast construction with a ceremonial concrete pouring on August 24, 2026, led by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling. The event marks a turning point for a community that waited decades for government-backed housing.
A Milestone Years in the Making
The concrete pouring took place at the project site in Barangay Paciano Rizal, just five months after the March 6 groundbreaking. Secretary Aliling was joined by UP President Angelo Jimenez and UPLB Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. The swift progress stunned even university officials who had long hoped for new housing.
The last government housing project at UPLB was implemented under the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., making this a 45-year gap. President Jimenez highlighted the speed of execution, noting that discussions began only in December 2025. "Ilang buwan lang since nag-usap tayo, now concrete pouring na tayo," he said.
Delivering Decent and Affordable Shelter
The project is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program, which seeks to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing nationwide. It will initially deliver 320 rental housing units to qualified beneficiaries, including low-income UPLB employees, students, and informal settler families within the university's surrounding communities.
Secretary Aliling said the milestone is a step closer to giving beneficiaries more dignified lives. He reaffirmed DHSUD's commitment to expanding housing access through additional modalities and policy reforms. The UPLB project serves as one of the pilot rental housing initiatives under the program.
A Model for Collaboration
UP President Jimenez emphasized that the project will serve as proof of concept for future housing programs targeting the lowest-paid university employees. He credited the fast turnaround to close collaboration between DHSUD and UP leadership. Chancellor Camacho called it the fastest project in his life.
Senior Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr. also attended, signaling DHSUD's full support. The active coordination between the university and the housing department helped accelerate approvals and construction. This partnership model could be replicated in other state universities facing similar housing backlogs.
