By the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)
In compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to recalibrate the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling issued several directives that gained support from housing and real estate stakeholders.
During his first two weeks in office, Aliling ordered the inclusion of horizontal developments or subdivision-like housing projects into the flagship 4PH program to cover a wider range of beneficiaries, especially those in the lower-income bracket and the poorest of the poor.
In a news release on Monday, June 9, the DHSUD said three private developers immediately committed more than 50,000 horizontal housing units to the expanded 4PH, days after Aliling was appointed on May 26.
Aliling also asked recommendations from private stakeholders, particularly the country’s four major developers, namely the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, National Real Estate Association, Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, on how DHSUD can improve the government’s housing program.
The four groups’ recommendations are now being studied by DHSUD.
Meanwhile, Aliling also ordered a study on the inclusion of rental housing under the expanded 4PH. He led key DHSUD officials in engaging top officials of the University of the Philippines, led by president Angelo Jimenez, in Diliman for possible piloting in campuses.
“Malinaw po ang directive ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.. Dapat prayoridad sa bagong 4PH ang poorest of the poor, ‘yong mga nasa lower-income deciles,” Aliling said.
“Yan po mismo ang gagawin natin kaya in-expand natin ang programa sa lahat ng mga modalities na magbe-benepisyo ang mga mahihirap,” he added.
The Housing czar also ordered the National Housing Authority to refocus its programs to benefit more and the Social Housing Finance Corporation to revive its community mortgage program for informal settler families.
In promoting the protection of home buyers, Aliling issued Department Circular No. 2025-008 calling for the expeditious resolution of all complaints against developers, while ordering the strengthening of the regulatory functions over homeowners’ associations and private developers.
He anchored his directives on a “no corruption policy” and asked DHSUD officials and employees to uphold the highest standards of integrity and service. (PR)
