President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday touted the government’s housing initiatives, saying more than 500,000 housing units have either been completed or funded under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, with over 100,000 additional homes delivered in the past year alone.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SoNA), Marcos underscored the role of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), alongside Pag-IBIG Fund and other shelter agencies, in addressing the country’s housing backlog through partnerships with the private sector and local government units.

“The DHSUD and the agencies within the housing system are working to fulfill every Filipino’s dream of owning a home,” Marcos said.

He added that the government is aggressively reducing the housing deficit through the development of new communities, the disposition of Pag-IBIG Fund-acquired assets, the Community Mortgage Program, resettlement projects and rental housing initiatives.

“The key to all these is a sound financing system that makes housing more affordable for Filipinos,” the President said.

Marcos highlighted the growing role of Pag-IBIG Fund, whose membership has expanded to 17 million, allowing the state-run shelter financing agency to strengthen its capacity to provide housing loans.

To improve home affordability, the President announced that the maximum Pag-IBIG housing loan ceiling has been increased to P10 million, enabling more Filipino families to purchase their own homes.

The President likewise emphasized that social protection institutions such as the Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System and Pag-IBIG Fund continue to provide financial security for workers by helping them save for retirement while extending assistance during emergencies, disasters, and other crises.

Beyond social protection, Marcos said these programs also enable workers to build long-term assets, particularly through affordable housing under the government’s flagship 4PH Program.

Nearly seven million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now covered by government-backed insurance, the President said. He added that the administration is also pursuing more bilateral labor agreements to open up addit