Malacañang has dismissed attempts by political rivals to claim credit for the People’s Ville housing project in Davao City, presenting documentation to prove it was planned and executed under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pushed back against assertions that the Calinan District development originated outside the current administration.
”Ang proyektong ito ay pinagplanuhan, trinabaho ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., dahil iyan ang nais ng Pangulo para sa ating mga kababayan at ito ay para sa mga taga-Davao City ,” Castro stated.
To support the administration’s position, Castro displayed official documents, including a project development permit dated July 18, 2023, a building permit issued on February 16, 2024, and a Certificate of Registration for People’s Ville Condominiums 1, 2, and 3 granted on June 20, 2024.
”Taong 2023 nang ma-approve ang development permit ng proyekto, noong 2024 naman ay inilabas ang Certificate of Registration nito habang ang building permit ay na-issue noong February 2024. Ipapakita ko po ang mga katibayan na aksiyon ng pamahalaan patungkol dito sa People’s Ville,” Castro explained.
Without explicitly identifying specific individuals, the Palace official cautioned the public against being misled by political posturing.
”Narito po ang Development Permit para hindi po tayo mabulag at maloko ng ibang mga taong nagpapanggap na ang proyektong ito ay sa kanila at hindi sa kasalukuyang administrasyon,” she warned.
”So, mainam po na maging mapanuri tayo, at ang proyektong ito ay para po sa ating mga kababayan, hindi para magpabida ang sinuman kung hindi laan ito para sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na sa Davao City,” Castro added.
The pushback follows remarks from Vice President Sara Duterte during an August 6 interview at the Kadayawan 2026 Thanksgiving mass.
Asked about President Marcos’ July 28 visit to the site in Barangay Riverside, Duterte asserted the development was initiated during her tenure as city mayor.
”Yes, I know kasi project namin yan nung mayor ako, di ba? So ayaw ko mag-comment sa kanyang pagbisita. Siguro ang mas maganda ay ipa-comment natin yung mga tao na binisita niya dahil wala naman ako doon nung bumisita siya. So, mas maganda tanungin natin yung mga tao na nandoon kung ano yung komento nila, ano yung opinion nila sa pagbisita ni BBM doon,” Duterte said.
The People’s Ville initiative aims to build 7,200 condominium units across 72 residential buildings to address Davao City’s housing backlog. Over 2,600 units are already completed, with four additional buildings containing 400 units currently under construction.
During his recent visit, President Marcos pledged to add 42 more buildings as part of a national housing push.