Palace hits ‘credit grab’ over Marcos housing project in Davao

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

CREDIT GRAB. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro presents the development permit, Certificate of Registration and building permit for the People’s Ville housing project in Davao City during a press briefing on Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2026) to counter supposed attempts to claim credit for the housing initiative. The project is part of the administration’s Expanded 4PH Program, its flagship housing initiative implemented through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. (Screengrabbed from RTVM)

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday pushed back against supposed attempts to claim credit for the People’s Ville housing project in Davao City, pointing to government documents showing key permits were issued during the Marcos administration.

At a Palace media briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro presented the project’s development permit, Certificate of Registration and building permit as proof of the government’s documented actions on the project.

The development permit was issued on July 18, 2023, while the Certificate of Registration for People’s Ville 1, 2 and 3 was issued on June 20, 2024.

The building permit application, meanwhile, was filed on Dec. 6, 2023, and the permit was issued on Feb. 16, 2024.

Castro accused unnamed individuals of attempting to take credit for a project that she said was pursued under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

She said the project was intended to give Davao residents secure homes and build a functioning community, rather than serve as a vehicle for political self-promotion.

“Isang maayos na pabahay, isang tunay na komunidad, ngunit ang proyektong ito ay pilit na inaagaw ng ilang mapagpanggap na kahit wala silang anumang kontribusyon sa pagod ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. at ng DHSUD (Decent housing, a genuine community — yet this project is being claimed unrightfully by pretenders who made absolutely no contribution to the hard work of President Marcos Jr. and the DHSUD),” she said.

The Palace official said People’s Ville is being developed in Calinan District and is designed for 7,200 condominium units in 72 residential buildings. More than 2,600 units have been completed, she added, while four buildings with 400 units are still under construction.

Davao City is the bailiwick of the Duterte family.

For Castro, the significance of the project goes beyond the political dispute.

She highlighted beneficiaries who had spent more than 20 years renting and moving between homes before finally becoming homeowners.

The People’s Ville project is part of the administration’s Expanded 4PH Program, its flagship housing initiative implemented through the DHSUD.

Castro urged the public to examine the official documents surrounding the project instead of relying on competing political claims.

“Mainam po na maging mapanuri tayo (It is best for us to be discerning),” she said, adding that the administration’s housing agenda is ultimately about delivering homes rather than political credit.

This article is republished from PNA.