The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), extended early Christmas assistance to two Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP) beneficiary communities in Pasig City on 16 December.

SHFC President and Chief Executive Officer Federico Laxa, together with DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, led the ceremonial turnover of checks worth more than P23 million to support the acquisition of land in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, where the beneficiary families’ homes are currently located.

Aside from land acquisition funds, SHFC also provided grants covering the documentary stamp tax on the mortgage of both homeowners’ associations. The assistance forms part of the ECMP’s expanded and transformative approach under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, which aims to strengthen housing security by offering complementary support beyond land purchase.

“This is truly a perfect Christmas gift for our ECMP communities,” Laxa said. “Through the ECMP, we are not only helping families acquire the land they call home, but we are also strengthening their security of tenure and ensuring a more stable future for them.”

Laxa said the additional grants highlight SHFC’s commitment to holistic community development. He also noted that qualified beneficiaries from the two Pasig communities may avail of discounts on their water bills under the Enhanced Lifeline Program, following a recently signed agreement between SHFC and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office.

The beneficiary communities include Megaville 2 Homeowners Association Inc., which has 149 members, and Villa Soledad Homeowners Association Inc., with 88 members. Both associations were earlier awarded Certificates of Lot Award during the National Housing Expo held in October.

SHFC also recently released more than P21 million in assistance for land acquisition to another ECMP beneficiary, Centennial Sunrise Homeowners Association Inc. The three Pasig-based associations are part of the initial 34 ECMP projects approved nationwide, which are expected to benefit more than 5,800 families.