Amid heavy rains that have challenged communities across the country, families in Baguio City and Nueva Vizcaya received a welcome boost as they were awarded land titles through the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Through its North Luzon Group, SHFC awarded 27 Transfer Certificates of Title to the Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Barangay Roxas Homeowners Association in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, on 12 August, and 43 titles to Blooming Hills HOA Phase II in Baguio City on 5 August.

The two associations are beneficiaries of the Community Mortgage Program, one of SHFC’s housing initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, implemented by DHSUD under Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.

Now marking its 38th anniversary, the CMP helps legally organized low-income communities acquire and develop land under the concept of community ownership.

Aliling said the on-site awarding of titles supports President Marcos’ directive to bring government services closer to the people, allowing beneficiaries to access assistance without having to travel far from their communities.

SHFC president and CEO Federico Laxa said the ceremonies offered hope to beneficiaries despite the difficult weather conditions.

“Sa kabila ng malalakas na ulan, may magandang balita pa rin para sa ating mga benepisyaryo,” Laxa said. “Ang mga titulong matagal nilang hinihintay ay nasa kanilang mga kamay na ngayon.”

SHFC North Luzon Group vice president Jones Tomas and DHSUD-Cordillera Administrative Region director Antonette Anaban led the awarding ceremonies, underscoring the agencies’ strengthened coordination in providing secure land tenure.

Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Barangay Roxas, composed of 301 families, received its lot acquisition loan from SHFC in 1998. Blooming Hills HOA Phase II, with 216 members, was approved for a lot acquisition loan in 2008.

The two communities are among more than 300,000 families that have benefited from the CMP since its establishment in 1988. SHFC is celebrating the program’s 38th anniversary this month with the theme, “Bahay, Buhay, Magandang Kinabukasan.”