By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Socialized housing projects provide the masses with access to decent, safe, and affordable shelters—a basic human right that continues to gain relevance as the country’s population continues to grow and flourish.
Such is one of the government’s key agendas under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, seeking to balance urban development with inclusivity that bridges social classes and various budgets.
Coinciding with the 7th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. embarked on a guided tour at the Megawide Pre-Cast Plant and led the ceremonial turnover and awarding to beneficiaries and stakeholders of different 4PH modalities on Monday.
President Marcos Jr. addressed the new homeowners, “Nawa’y alagaan ninyo ang inyong mga bahay at punan ito ng maraming magandang alaala kasama ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Ang mga tagumpay na ito ay bahagi ng ating masinsinang pagpapatupad ng programa ng pabahay.”
The Chief Executive added, “Patuloy na magtutulungan ang pamahalaan at pribadong sektor upang pabilisin ang produksyon, ayusin ang proseso, at palawakin ang saklaw ng ating mga programa, lalo na ang Expanded 4PH Program.”
Within two years, Megawide Construction Corporation’s facility is expected to manufacture up to 7,000 housing units for the beneficiaries of the Expanded 4PH Program. As of press time, DHSUD has already created and financed more than 423,000 housing units between July 2022 and January 2026.
Initially implemented in 2022, with a focus on vertical developments or condominium-type projects, the government’s flagship housing project was recalibrated under the leadership of Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling to include subdivision-type developments, rental housing, and sites covered by Presidential Proclamations.
The Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP) was likewise revived and enhanced by key shelter agencies including the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) to drive down upfront costs.
Pag-IBIG Fund moreover offers a 3% subsidized home loan rate through the expanded 4PH Program, lowering barriers for homeownership and making it accessible to the working and middle class, as well as informal settler families (ISFs). (with report from Clay Pardilla | PTV News)
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