New IRR boosts 4PH housing program

In a move aimed at keeping the government’s housing drive firmly on track, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) have issued the implementing rules for the updated price ceiling on socialized housing projects.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), released on Monday, give full effect to Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2025-001, which formalizes the revised price limits under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (Expanded 4PH) Program.

Signed by DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the IRR follows the release of the JMC on 1 December 2025, and provides long-awaited clarity for both developers and homebuyers as the flagship housing program continues its nationwide rollout.

Under the new rules, the maximum selling price for socialized subdivision or horizontal housing projects is set at P950,000, while socialized condominium or vertical developments may now cost up to P1.8 million. Officials said the adjustment reflects prevailing construction and development costs while keeping housing affordable and accessible to Filipino families.

“This IRR keeps housing delivery on track,” Aliling said. “We aligned policy with present conditions to remove uncertainty and ensure steady implementation. Both private partners and families deserve clear rules and consistent action.”

He also underscored the speed by which the rules were issued, noting that the IRR was finalized just three weeks after the JMC was released.

“Because of the swift action of the DHSUD and DEPDev, the IRR was issued in just three weeks. This shows President Marcos Jr.’s commitment to helping more Filipino families finally own a home,” Aliling said.

Beyond pricing, the IRR clearly defines agency responsibilities, strengthens the coordination among government offices, and reinforces compliance and monitoring standards — measures seen as crucial to the effective implementation of the Expanded 4PH Program at both the national and regional levels.

Aliling said the DHSUD remains focused on people-centered housing policies, emphasizing that the department’s mandate goes beyond construction targets.

“Our service remains centered on every Filipino family. All our actions are aimed at providing them with safe, decent, and quality homes, and ensuring their peace of mind throughout the process of homeownership,” he said.

By updating the price ceiling and providing regulatory clarity, the IRR also addresses the rising construction costs while sustaining private sector participation in socialized housing. Officials said the clearer and more predictable rules will help ensure continuous project rollout and a stable supply of affordable homes nationwide.