The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) announced on Sunday that the awarding of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) to more than 1,000 families covered by Presidential Proclamations will begin this month, finally securing their land tenure after decades of waiting.

The COE distribution covers residential lands in Los Baños, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; and Jaro, Iloilo City—sites previously declared suitable for socialized housing through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 550, 436 and 1538, respectively.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the awardings fulfill the national government’s promise to utilize idle public lands for public housing under the Marcos administration.

“Ang awarding po ay maagang pamasko na hatid ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na patuloy na nagnanais mabigyan ng kapanatagan ang ating mga kababayang matagal nang naghihintay ng seguridad sa kanilang lupang tinitirhan,” Secretary Aliling said.

In Los Baños, Laguna, 764 beneficiaries from Barangays Lalakay, Bambang and Timugan have been cleared following the completion of the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) validation. Their COEs are set to be released in three batches beginning December 2025 through early 2026.

In Jaro, Iloilo, preparations are underway for the awarding of COEs to 216 qualified families during the Yuletide season. In Lucena City, validation has been completed for 185 beneficiaries, with distribution scheduled for January 2026.

Aliling emphasized that the timeline ensures complete final verification, beneficiary confirmation, and coordination with local authorities to uphold accuracy and transparency.

“Hindi lang bahay ang pinag-uusapan dito. Kapag may pinanghahawakan sila na nagsasabing kanila ang lupang tinitirhan nila, mas may kapanatagan ang ating mga kababayan. Ito ang layunin ng ating Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa ilalim ng Expanded 4PH—ang bigyan ng mas may dignidad na pamumuhay ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” the housing czar said.

The DHSUD assured the public that it will continue coordinating with local governments and national agencies to guarantee the smooth distribution of COEs under Presidential Proclamations in the coming months.