The Philippine government under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is making significant strides in providing safe, decent, and affordable housing through the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. Just over a year since its recalibration, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reports notable progress across multiple housing modalities.
Originally focused on vertical or condominium-type developments, the program has evolved into a comprehensive platform that includes horizontal housing, rental units, the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), incremental housing, and high-density developments. The shift aims to address the diverse needs of Filipinos, from aspiring homeowners to informal settler families, low-income earners, overseas workers, and disaster-displaced communities.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling emphasized the administration's commitment: "President Marcos Jr. has consistently emphasized that every Filipino family deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, and secure home. Through the Expanded 4PH Program, we are translating that vision into concrete housing solutions."
One key addition is the revival of the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), which helps organized communities acquire land and secure legal tenure. So far, 45 ECMP projects have been approved, benefiting over 27,000 individuals, with cash assistance released to 16 communities. The program also addresses long-standing tenure issues through Presidential Proclamations, enabling families in Lucena City, Tala, Palawan, and other areas to gain legal ownership.
Recognizing that homeownership may not be immediately achievable for all, the program introduced rental housing as a key modality. Pilot projects are underway in University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Iloilo City, Quezon City, and Victorias City, with 3,590 rental units currently under construction nationwide.
In times of crisis, DHSUD has strengthened disaster response through Bayanihan Villages, which use modular shelter units (MSUs) to provide temporary accommodation for families displaced by natural disasters. The first such villages were established in Cebu and Davao Oriental, with expansion to other areas through local government requests.
"President Marcos Jr. has consistently emphasized that every Filipino family deserves the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, and secure home."
Through these initiatives, the Expanded 4PH Program aims to make housing more accessible and responsive to the varying needs of Filipino families, turning the administration's vision into reality.