By Brian Campued
Informal settler families (ISFs) are given more housing options under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said.
Under Department Order 2025-021 issued on Dec. 9, DHSUD integrated high-density housing (HDH) component as part of 4PH to help address the challenges posed by limited land availability and high urban density.
According to DHSUD, the HDH is a redevelopment strategy focusing on accommodating a significant number of ISFs in multi-storey residential buildings, which may be carried out through in-city or near-site relocation or through land-sharing arrangements.
DHSUD Sec. Jose Ramon Aliling said the continued expansion of the flagship housing initiative is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to improve the standard of living of ISFs in highly urbanized areas.
“Sa pagkakasama ng high-density housing sa Expanded 4PH Program, magbubukas ito ng mas maraming oportunidad na magkasariling bahay ang mga kababayan nating informal settler families,” Sec. Aliling said in a news release.
“Tugon pa rin ito sa utos ng ating Pangulong Marcos Jr. na tutukan ang mga mahihirap na kababayan para magkaroon ng sariling ligtas at matibay na tahanan,” he added.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SCFH) will implement the HDH component, focusing on ISFs living along waterways in highly urbanized cities of Metro Manila.
SHFC will coordinate closely with community associations to ensure proper identification and validation of qualified beneficiaries.
“Maraming pamilya na ang nabago ang buhay dahil sa high-density housing. Nakikita natin ito ngayon na malaking tulong para makapagpatayo ng mas maraming disenteng tahanan para sa may dignidad na pamumuhay para sa ating mga kababayan,” Aliling said.
The DHSUD also has an ongoing partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which allows self-sufficient Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) families to access the Expanded 4PH Program.
DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian underscored that one of the goals of the Marcos Jr. administration is to ensure a comfortable life for 4Ps households after they graduate from the program.
Beneficiaries who have achieved self-sufficiency and are capable of sustaining monthly amortization payments are eligible to avail of the 4PH “murang pabahay” units.
“Ininstruct kami ng Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na bigyan ng puwang ‘yung mga 4Ps graduates kasi gusto nya mabuo yung istorya—mula sa pag-angat sa kahirapan, sa livelihood, sa edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak, ngayon, sa pabahay,” Gatchalian said.
“Una nairaos natin, sa pamamagitan ng 4Ps, mula sa kahirapan, ngayon, mayroon na silang mas sustainable na pamamaraan ng pamumuhay kasi may bahay na sila. I think that’s the aspiration of every Filipino family—ang makaangat mula sa kahirapan, magkaroon ng economic stability, at ng sariling bahay,” the DSWD chief added.
-jpv
