NEWS

People’s Ville offers shelter, renewed hope

DT · Aug 9, 2026, 12:29 AM

GOV'T expands health access A family’s savings should not be wiped out simply because a loved one gets sick, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) said during his visit to the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital. The government is bringing healthcare services closer to Filipinos while reducing patients’ out-of-pocket expenses through the Zero Balance Billing program. — photograph courtesy of PCO

Families who spent years renting or living with relatives are now beginning a new chapter as homeowners at the People’s Ville housing project in Calinan District, Davao City, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

On 28 July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling visited the project to check its progress and personally see how the government’s housing program is improving the lives of its beneficiaries. They also met and spoke with some of the residents.

Among the first families to move into People’s Ville was Evelyn Hifarva, who spent 22 years renting and moving from one place to another before finally having a home of her own.

“We were among the first families to move into People’s Ville under the government’s 4PH housing program. After 22 years of renting and moving from one place to another, we finally have a decent home of our own,” Evelyn said.

For Pauline Denise Yrasegui, having her own home fulfills a dream she had carried since childhood after growing up with relatives in a crowded household.

“A dream for me po kasi growing up, I was living with relatives. We have a lot of people in our household. The process was easy enough; it was just a matter of completing the requirements. My dream has always been to have a home of my own. When I finally moved in, I still couldn’t believe it,” Pauline shared.

Path to rosy future

Mary Anne Lagrada, meanwhile, said moving into Peoples Ville has given her family a renewed sense of happiness as they look forward to building their future together.

“I wake up every day with so much joy. There is happiness in our hearts. I can picture us building a happy family here and creating many more wonderful memories together,” said Mary Anne.

For Maricel Erguero, the development also represents an opportunity for families to enjoy community amenities that contribute to a better quality of life.

“I’m happy because it seems we’re no longer being left behind compared with those who are well-off. We’ll get to experience what they experience, including the parks within our community. It’s a big help. Thank you very much to our President. I hope this program continues,” Maricel said.