For hundreds of low-income families, the dream of owning the land beneath their homes is becoming a reality as the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) accelerates approvals for its Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP).

In a single day on 13 August, SHFC cleared five more projects, paving the way for nearly 1,000 families to secure affordable housing arrangements. The move builds on a string of approvals earlier in the month, bringing the total to 10 ECMP projects in August alone.

“This is proof of the agency’s commitment to fast-track the evaluation and approval of new ECMP projects,” said SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa. “Our fellow Filipinos can be assured that SHFC will continue to implement programs that provide safe, decent, and affordable homes for all.”

The most recent batch of approved projects spans three regions. In the Bicol Region, Pagkamoot Village-II HOA, Inc. and Ilaw Village HOA, Inc. in Tabaco City, Albay, along with Golden Spring Ville HOA, Inc. in Daet, Camarines Norte, are set to move forward. Western Visayas will see the development of Mirasol Village HOA in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, while Metro Manila adds Megaville 2 HOA in Pasig City to its housing pipeline.

Earlier this August, SHFC approved Centennial Sunrise HOA in Pasig City, Wawangpulo HOA Phase 1 in Valenzuela City, Pinag-isang Magkakapitbahay ng Miranda Compound Phases 1 and 2 in San Fernando City, Pampanga, and Pagkamoot Village-I in Tabaco City, Albay.

Beneficiaries of the ECMP come from both formal and informal sectors, ranging from farmers, drivers, and street vendors to teachers, BPO employees, and online sellers. Affordable amortization plans make it possible for these households to gain legal land ownership, ending years of uncertainty over their tenure.

Laxa said SHFC is taking a transformative approach to ECMP “going beyond simply providing land tenure security, by also integrating livelihood opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and community empowerment measures to help families not only secure their homes but also improve their overall quality of life.”

These projects form part of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development under Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling. SHFC is eyeing the awarding of lots for its initial ECMP list by October, following the Secretary’s directive.

The approvals also coincide with SHFC’s celebration of the 37th anniversary of the Community Mortgage Program this August, held under the theme “Kaagapay ng Komunidad: Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon.”