Manila: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has announced major reforms to the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, streamlining processes to provide Filipino homebuyers greater freedom and more affordable options in choosing government-backed housing.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling stated that Department Order 2025-021 transforms the 4PH into a 'beneficiary-centric' program focused not just on building homes but also on promoting dignified living. Aliling emphasized that the new process grants homebuyers or beneficiaries the freedom to choose the type and location of housing they want, expanding options in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive.
The new guidelines have simplified the application system, enabling homebuyers to directly approach developers of their preferred socialized housing projects, the Pag-IBIG Fund, or the DHSUD itself to process their applications. Pag-IBIG Fund has also introduced a special circular offering a 3-percent interest rate on socialized housing loans for both horizontal and vertical housing for up to 10 years, with potential further reductions through government subsidies.
The revised policy aims to align housing options with each beneficiary's financial capacity, improve collaboration across government and private stakeholders, and ensure better service delivery to intended recipients. Aliling noted that the program reflects the real needs and preferences of Filipino families and was designed to make government housing programs more inclusive and sustainable.
The expanded 4PH's scope includes subdivision-style housing, rental options, and incremental housing schemes, beyond the original focus on vertical developments. Additionally, the Community Mortgage Program was revived to allow informal settler families to collectively purchase land they occupy through affordable financing. The DHSUD aims to significantly increase the number of Filipino families with access to decent and affordable housing and build sustainable communities nationwide under the Marcos administration.
