Manila: The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), is set to end the decades-long wait for more than 1,000 families to secure their Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) for land covered by presidential proclamations.
According to Philippines News Agency, DHSUD has scheduled the awarding of COEs this month, marking a significant step in strengthening land tenure security for underprivileged Filipinos under the flagship Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. The awarding, covering residential lands in Los Ba±os, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; and Jaro, Iloilo City, will conclude the long wait of the prospective beneficiaries. These sites were declared suitable for socialized housing through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 550, 436, and 1538, respectively.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling highlighted that the distribution of COEs advances the national government's commitment to utilize idle public lands for public housing. He described the awarding as an early Christmas gift brought by the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who aims to provide security to those who have been waiting for land security.
In Los Ba±os, Laguna, a total of 764 beneficiaries from Barangays Lalakay, Bambang, and Timugan have been cleared following the completion of the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) validation. The COEs are set to be awarded in three batches beginning December 2025 through early 2026. In Jaro, Iloilo, preparations are underway for awarding COEs to 216 qualified families during the Yuletide Season. In Lucena City, the LIAC has completed the validation process for 185 beneficiaries, with the awarding scheduled for January 2026.
Aliling emphasized that this timeline allows for final verification, beneficiary confirmation, and coordination with local authorities to ensure accuracy and transparency. He stated that the goal is not only about housing but also providing a sense of security for families living on the land.
The DHSUD assured the public of its continuous collaboration with local governments and national agencies to ensure the smooth distribution of COEs under Presidential Proclamations in the upcoming months. Aliling reiterated the department's commitment to expedite the awarding of COEs in accordance with existing policies, aiming to provide long-awaited land tenure security to Filipinos.
