In a significant move to address housing needs, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has entered into a partnership with 21 local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas to construct affordable homes for low-income families. This initiative falls under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program, which is actively being implemented across various stages in the region.
The collaboration was announced by DHSUD Eastern Visayas Director Michael Victor Tezon during a press briefing. The participating LGUs include Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and several towns across Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar. Eight of these locations have been prioritized for immediate action, having completed the necessary program phases and identified potential beneficiaries.
These priority sites, located in Guiuan, Albuera, MacArthur, Alangalang, Ormoc City, Tanauan, Catbalogan City, and Libagon, are set to house 2,394 initial buyers. The housing units, designed to be affordable, come with a monthly amortization as low as PHP1,700, making homeownership accessible to low-income earners.
Funding for these projects primarily comes from private housing developers under DHSUD supervision, with the exception of Ormoc City, where the local government is directly funding the initiative. To qualify for a housing unit, applicants must be first-time home buyers, have been members of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) for at least two years, maintain a stable income, and meet age and loan criteria.
Each housing unit is priced at approximately PHP1.31 million, with the government subsidizing the loan interest through Pag-IBIG. The 4PH program, a key initiative of the Marcos administration, focuses on high-density and vertical development, utilizing both government and private lands.
DHSUD plays a crucial role in overseeing the program’s implementation, providing technical support, and facilitating necessary permits and licenses to ensure the smooth execution of these housing projects.