The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with international artist and philanthropist Allan Pineda Lindo — more popularly known as Apl.de.Ap of the Grammy-winning group The Black Eyed Peas — to collaborate on initiatives for vulnerable and underserved communities.

Under the guidance of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, led by Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, SHFC is actively implementing the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program — the flagship housing initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The partnership was formally sealed by SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and Apl.de.Ap during a ceremony held at the SHFC head office in Makati on 5 June. Under the agreement, SHFC and Apl.de.Ap and Co. will work together in key areas including housing and community development, youth empowerment and education, livelihood and skills training, and advocacy and public engagement.

“This partnership will be very meaningful for SHFC as it is the start of an undertaking that will take care of our beneficiaries beyond what we have already provided them,” Laxa said. “We have to take care of them to make sure that they live comfortably and enjoy a good quality of life,” he added.

Apl.de.Ap expressed gratitude and excitement about the partnership, emphasizing its potential to uplift lives. “I am very excited about this partnership and I want to thank Mr. Rico Laxa for trusting my team and me with this opportunity. I can’t wait to start helping other people like me growing up, and to build homes and walls so we can dream and have opportunity,” he said.

To kick off the collaboration, a pilot project will be launched in Pampanga — the home province of both Laxa and Apl.de.Ap. It is envisioned as a model for empowered and sustainable communities.

The MOU reflects SHFC’s mission to go beyond constructing housing units by fostering holistic, empowered, and sustainable communities — a vision now strengthened by the passion and global reach of Apl.de.Ap and his team.

As a key implementing agency of the 4PH program, SHFC has spearheaded several notable housing developments nationwide, including People’s Ville in Davao City, Crystal Peak Estates in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Valley View Township in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and San Miguel de Manila Residences and Port Town in Manila.