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UP, DHSUD to address informal settlements in UPD

| Written by Clariza Concordia

Representatives from UP and DHSUD hold copies of the signed memorandum of agreement formalizing the Marilag Residences Rental Housing Project. In the photo are (from left) DHSUD Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr., DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, UP President Angelo Jimenez, and UP Vice President for Development Daniel Peckley Jr. Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPS-MCO.

The University of the Philippines formally entered into a partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to address the housing needs of informal settlers in UP Diliman. The memorandum of agreement was signed Nov. 27 at the Executive House in UPD. 

The MOA formalized the development of the Marilag Residences Rental Housing Project, named after the university property on which the site will rise. Three hundred informal settler families residing within the UP Diliman campus are said to benefit. 

UP President Angelo Jimenez (right) greets DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling (left) upon the arrival of the DHSUD representatives for the MOA signing between the university and the department. With them is DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap (center). Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
UP President Angelo Jimenez (right) greets DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling (left) upon the arrival of the DHSUD representatives for the MOA signing between the university and the department. With them is DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap (center). Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
“We believe that the purpose of upholding honor and pursuing excellence is to provide the best possible service to the people,” says UP President Angelo Jimenez. Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPS-MCO.
“We believe that the purpose of upholding honor and pursuing excellence is to provide the best possible service to the people,” says UP President Angelo Jimenez. Photo by Bong Arboleda, UPS-MCO.

UP President Angelo Jimenez underscored the need to address the decades-long problem of informal settlers, which he referred to as a “humanitarian crisis.” He said the housing project will provide ISFs opportunities for upward social mobility. “Through this undertaking, we aim to ensure that they will finally, as people here whom we share, have a secure and dignified home of their own within the campus.”

Jimenez added that the project is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly building sustainable cities and communities.

UP Vice President for Development Daniel Peckley Jr. said the project reflects the university’s commitment to pursue “socially responsive” development.” This collaboration affirms UP’s responsibility as a steward of public land and as a national university committed to models of responsible community-centered development.”

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling stated that the project is envisioned to be the pilot rental housing project of the national government.

DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Henry Yap closed the event with a message: “May this MOA remind us that housing is not just a policy agenda, but a home for dreams, success, and new beginnings.” 

The Marilag Residences Rental Housing project consists of housing units in the form of condominium buildings. Three buildings with four storeys each will be built in Pook Marilag, Quezon City. The construction of the buildings will take three years, with the total project cost of PHP413 million sourced from DHSUD’s escrow fund.

In December 2024, UP and DHSUD signed a memorandum of understanding with a common goal of developing “accessible, affordable, and safe housing” projects on a UP property.