Manila: A total of 42 private developers have committed to deliver 251,846 socialized housing units under the administration's Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program. In a news release on Wednesday, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said the commitment was formalized in a joint letter by top officials of four major developer groups.

According to Philippines News Agency, these groups are the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations, Inc., National Real Estate Association, Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. The letter expressed optimism towards the administration and the potential of a recalibrated 4PH to tackle the country's housing needs. The commitment includes an initial list of private developers contributing to the program.

The developers highlighted recent DHSUD reforms as pivotal in their decision to support the initiative. These reforms include streamlined permitting processes, updated technical standards for socialized housing, adjustments to price ceilings, and the establishment of Housing One-Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs). The groups also proposed piloting a dedicated HOPC to handle 4PH-related permits and transactions, which they believe would enhance coordination among government agencies, local government units, and private developers, thereby expediting approvals.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling expressed his approval of the commitment, noting it as significant support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s housing initiative. He remarked that the recalibrated and expanded 4PH is progressing well, reinforcing efforts to provide decent homes and dignified living under the President's Bagong Pilipinas vision.

The Expanded 4PH program aims to construct one million housing units per year to address the nation's increasing housing backlog.