Two government housing agencies have joined forces to accelerate the rollout of the Marcos administration’s flagship shelter program aimed at addressing the country’s massive housing backlog.

The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) on Labor Day signed a memorandum of agreement at the Pag-IBIG Fund corporate headquarters in Makati City.

The deal outlines a collaboration that will streamline the implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, which targets low-income and informal settler families.

Under the agreement, SHFC will lead in the planning, development, and execution of housing projects nationwide. Pag-IBIG, meanwhile, will be responsible for providing financing to homebuyers and developers under the program.

The initial rollout includes more than 7,000 housing units across four sites: 3,440 units in San Fernando City, Pampanga; 2,135 in Tondo, Manila; 1,200 in Calinan District, Davao City; and 425 in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

SHFC president and CEO Federico Laxa said the collaboration plays to each agency’s strengths — Pag-IBIG’s financial muscle and SHFC’s grassroots engagement and development experience.

Pag-IBIG CEO Marilene Acosta said the agreement builds on a common goal: increasing homeownership for ordinary Filipino workers.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who oversees both agencies and serves as the main architect of the 4PH program, expressed support for the partnership and reiterated that all funds under the program will be handled with “integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

SHFC currently oversees 81 projects under the 4PH banner, including developments in Davao City (People’s Ville), San Fernando (Crystal Peak Estates), and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental.

Together, these projects are expected to deliver more than 160,000 housing units.