PBBM’s Expanded 4PH’s life-changing impacts now felt by more ordinary Filipinos

PBBM’s Expanded 4PH’s life-changing impacts now felt by more ordinary Filipinos | Daily Tribune

EXPANDING ACCESS THROUGH RENTAL HOUSING

Recognizing that homeownership may not yet be within reach for every Filipino family, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) expanded the 4PH Program through rental housing projects for informal settler families (ISFs), low-income earners, and vulnera- ble communities.

Pilot develop- ments are underway in University of the Philip- pines Diliman, Univer- sity of the Philippines Los Baños, Iloilo City, Quezon City, and Victo- rias City, providing safe and affordable shelter without the immediate burden of long-term amortization. To date, 3,590 rental housing units have been delivered nationwide.

BAYANIHAN VILLAGES: SHELTER IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Beyond permanent housing solutions, DHSUD also introduced Bayanihan Villages as part of its disaster response initiatives under the Expanded 4PH Program.

Through the deployment of modular shelter units (MSUs), the Department was able to provide temporary yet dignified shelter to families displaced by earthquakes, typhoons, and fires. The first Bayanihan Villages were established in Cebu and Davao Oriental following devastating earthquakes, giving affected families a safer and more comfortable refuge as they recovered from calamity.

The deployment of modular shelters was likewise extended to other disaster-hit communities upon the request of local govern- ment units. In San Juan City, for instance, MSUs now serve as temporary homes for families displaced by fire incidents.

To date, 2,010 MSUs have been delivered, with 5,760 total units projected nationwide, reflecting DHSUD’s continued commit- ment to providing not only shelter, but also hope and dignity to affected communities.

SECURITY AND STABILITY AFTER DECADES

For families who spent years living with fear of eviction and displace- ment, the assistance meant more than land acquisition--it meant, security, stability and peace of mind.

“For almost 20 years na po kaming nakatira na may agam- agam na baka kami ay mapaalis doon sa lugar. Pero this time, kinon- firm ng Social Housing [Finance Corporation], ng DHSUD, na ibigay na sa amin ‘yung lupa... Nawala na po yung aming kaba--yung aming agam-agam na mawala sa amin ‘yung aming kinatitirikan ng bahay. strategies are no longer limited to a single approach. “Hindi po pare-pareho ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan. May handa nang maghulog para sa sariling bahay, may nangangailangan muna ng rental housing, at mayroon ding kailangang unti-unting maka- bangon. Kaya pinalawak natin ang Expanded 4PH upang mas marami tayong matulungan,” he explained. Nagkaroon po ng katuparan ang aming pangarap doon sa lugar namin, na kami’y magkaroon ng sariling title,” said Erlinda Asiao of Megaville 2 Homeowners’ Association in Pasig City.

The Expanded 4PH also revived the disposition of lands covered by Presidential Proclamations, benefitting families who waited decades to finally secure legal tenure over the land they occupy.

“Nagkaroon na ng pasimula ang aming pangarap na ang lupang kinatitirikan namin ay makakatulog na kami ng mahimbing sapagkat wala na po kaming aalalahanin na kami po ay mapapaalis pa,” shared beneficiary Donata Veloso during the awarding of Certificates of Entitlement in Lucena City.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the Tala Development Project through the NHA were also overjoyed upon receiving their much awaited land titles.

Among them was Nelson Calipara who shared their decades-long wait and expressed their community’s gratitude to President Marcos Jr.

“Simula noong late 80s, matagal na itong pinapangarap ng mga taga-tala na mapasakanila yung titlo nia. Akala nila... pangarap lang. Kasi matagal-tagal proseso, marami nang presidenteng dumaan. Ngayon lang sa term ni President BBM na napabilis, at talag- ang may kongkreto nang ebidensya na ia-award na sa amin... Kaya natutuwa kami... napakagandang regalo... Sa ating mahal na Pangulo, nagpapasalamat ang buong community ng Tala na sa wakas talagang matutupad na ang pangarap nila na mapa- sakanila na yung lupang tinitirikan nila na wala nang pangamba For almost 20 years na po kaming nakatira na may agam- agam na baka kami ay mapaalis doon sa lugar. Pero this time, kinonfirm ng Social Housing [Finance Corporation], ng DHSUD, na ibigay na sa amin ‘yung lupa... Nawala na po yung aming kaba--yung aming agam-agam na mawala sa amin ‘yung aming kinatitirikan ng bahay. Nagkaroon po ng katuparan ang aming pangarap doon sa lugar namin, na kami’y magkaroon ng sariling title.” na ga-grabin pa ito ng kahit sino. Kaya salamat, President Bongbong,” he shared.

According to Secretary Aliling, expanding the modali- ties of the program was necessary to ensure that the housing strategies are no longer limited to a single approach.

“Hindi po pare-pareho ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan. May handa nang maghulog para sa sariling bahay, may nangangailangan muna ng rental housing, at mayroon ding kailangang unti-unting maka- bangon. Kaya pinalawak natin ang Expanded 4PH upang mas marami tayong matulungan,” he explained.

HOMEOWNERSHIP NOW WITHIN REACH FOR ALL

A major driver of the Expanded 4PH’s accelerated implementation is the strengthened role of the Pag-IBIG Fund, which broadened access to affordable home financing across income segments through subsidized interest rates, which is the lowest for up to 10 years. For beneficiaries, the impact is deeply personal. “Big help po siya para yung mga...normal Filipinos, hindi ganoong kabigat magkaroon ng own place mo na tatawagin mong home,” said Vincent Geronimo, a 26-year-old medical technologistSecretary Aliling stressed that affordability remains at the core of the program’s reforms, and it is key to its sustainability.

For Elsa Evangelista, a public school teacher, the program represented a rare opportunity for low-income families to finally achieve stability.

“Sobrang malaking bagay, lalo na kung minimum wage earner ka... hindi ka kasi nakakaipon... dito, habang maliit ang bayad mo... magkakaroon ka ng sarili mong bahay... magkaroon ng alam mo yung matatawag sa’yo at peace kasi nandun ka sa sarili mong lugar sa bahay,” she shared.

Even overseas Filipino workers who spent years sacrificing abroad are now beginning to see the fruits of their labor through the Expanded 4PH.

Mrs. Rosemarie Libanan, an 18-year OFW and presently in Saudi Arabia, said owning a home once felt impossible for their family until they learned about the Crystal Peak Estates--a verti- cal project under the Expanded 4PH in Pampanga.

“Wala pa kaming sariling bahay dati.. ito ang pinakaunang-una... matagal na kaming naghahanap kaso parang di ko pa kaya noon kasi ang bigat sa buwanan...” she said.

In Nueva Ecija, Sharon Joy Capyo, wife of an OFW in Japan, also shared their family’s joy after receiving their housing unit at the Palayan City Township Proj- ect, another vertical development under the Expanded 4PH Program.

“Masaya po kami na nagkaroon na kami ng sariling bahay... nakikitira lang po kami dati sa pami- lya namin... Kay President BBM, maraming maraming salamat po... nabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng sariling bahay na kayang-kaya namin bayaran,” Capyo said.

FROM 4PS TO EXPANDED 4PH

Nessie Almonte, a graduate of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and now an Expanded 4PH beneficiary in Abuab Towers, San Mateo, Rizal, shared her joy as the flagship housing program enables her to secure a home for her children.

“Isa po akong sales staff sa isang mall… malaking naitulong ko sa akin ng 4PH… Sobrang saya po kasi magkakaroon na po ng sariling bahay ang aking mga anak. Mabibigyan ko na sila ng maayos na tirahan. Sa ating Pangulo po, maraming maraming salamat po sa programang ito dahil sa katulad ko pong single mother at walang trabaho, nabigyan po kami ng murang pabahay,” Nessie shared.

Secretary Aliling stressed that affordability remains at the core of the program’s reforms, and it is key to its sustainability.

“Ang utos po ng ating Pangulo ay gawing abot-kaya ang paba- hay para sa ordinaryong Pilipino. Hindi dapat habang-buhay nangungupahan o palipat-lipat ang ating mga kababayan dahil lamang hindi nila maabot ang halaga ng disenteng tahanan,” he said.