MANILA – More informal settler families (ISFs) in Valenzuela City are moving closer to owning the land they have occupied for decades through the expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the flagship housing program of the Marcos administration.
Over 200 residents from the Bagong Pag-asa Neighborhood Association of PARADA, Inc. in Barangay Parada received assistance under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), allowing them to secure the 2,318-square-meter property where many of them have built their homes and raised families.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), through the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), awarded over PHP9 million in assistance covering land acquisition and related taxes.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and SHFC President and Chief Executive Officer Federico Laxa led the ceremonial awarding on Wednesday.
For beneficiaries, the assistance represented more than just land ownership.
“Sa totoo lang po ah tagal na naming inaasam-asam itong lugar na ‘to… dito na kami lumaki, dito na kami nagkaasawa (To be honest, we have long dreamed of owning this land. This is where we grew up and started our own families),” said hospital worker Robert Salabao, recalling how residents had long dreamed of finally owning the land they call home.
Residents also highlighted how remaining in their community allows continued access to schools, markets, hospitals and government services.
School watchman Mark Anthony Tagnong said the program restored dignity and hope to families who spent years living without security of tenure.
“Kasi mahirap po ‘yung nangungupahan ka lang, wala ka pong sariling lupa o bahay (It’s really hard if you are just renting without land or housing security),” he said, thanking the Marcos administration for continuing housing initiatives for low-income Filipinos.
Aliling said the housing program goes beyond construction and seeks to uplift the dignity and quality of life of Filipino families.
“Hindi lamang pabahay ang ating isinusulong kundi pati ang dignidad ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (We are not just pushing for housing, we are also protecting the dignity of countrymen),” he said.
Association president Elmer Rivera said families can now invest their money toward eventually owning the land instead of endlessly paying rent.
He also underscored how the location of their community allows residents to remain connected to essential daily services, adding such programs give ordinary Filipinos the opportunity to live in safer and more dignified communities.
“‘Yung proyekto po ng DHSUD na murang pabahay at lupa, napakalaking tulong po yan sa amin… magkaroon din ng sariling lupa sariling bahay maayos na komunidad para sa aming mga pamilya (This project of the DHSUD is really a big help to us. We will soon have our own land, in a safe community for our families),” he added.
Beneficiaries are expected to pay an estimated monthly amortization of PHP681.29.
Since the ECMP was launched in July 2025, a total of 45 projects benefiting more than 7,700 families nationwide have already been approved under the expanded 4PH Program. (PNA)
