QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — The city government of San Juan City, in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), broke ground on Tuesday for a 30-story residential building that will provide 1,029 units as part of the national government’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
Housing Secretary Jerry Acuzar, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, SHFC President Federico Laxa, and city officials attended the groundbreaking event located on F. Manalo Street in Barangay Batis.
“San Juan City is committed to providing decent housing for our residents through the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino program,” Mayor Zamora said. “We are making homeownership accessible, ensuring our people have the opportunity to own affordable and decent housing they can call home.”
The new housing development will occupy a 2,624 square meter site and will feature a total of 549 residential units, each averaging 28 square meters. The project will also include 11 commercial units, 68 parking slots for cars, and 47 slots for motorcycles.
The 4PH housing program aims to provide affordable housing solutions for low-income Filipinos, particularly those from urban poor communities, informal sectors, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). This initiative targets individuals without their own homes, including public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and government employees.
Who can join 4PH?
Eligible participants include:
- Filipino citizens aged 18 to 65 years old at the time of application.
- Individuals without a house registered in their name or their spouse’s name.
- Those who have not previously benefited from any government or private housing programs.
- Active members of Pag-IBIG with at least 24 months of contributions.
- Applicants with no outstanding short-term loans with Pag-IBIG.
Application process
To apply for 4PH, interested individuals should contact their local government unit (LGU) for registration. If there is no 4PH program in their respective area, they can go to a nearby local government unit for possible listing. The application process includes:
- Registration at the LGU
- LGU assessment of eligibility, followed by submission to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
- DHSUD entry of applicants into the database and endorsement to the Pag-IBIG Fund.
- Validation and pre-qualification by Pag-IBIG, which will notify the LGU and DHSUD of the results.
- Collection and submission of required documents by the LGU for housing loan takeout.
Employment and income requirements
While applicants do not need to be employed, they must demonstrate the capacity to pay reduced monthly amortizations. If an applicant’s income does not meet the minimum requirement, they may seek a relative who is a Pag-IBIG member to act as a co-borrower.
Housing details
4PH offers socialized vertical housing, or condominium-type projects, located near essential facilities such as schools and health centers. Loan terms can be selected for up to 30 years, ensuring long-term affordability for residents.
For further inquiries, interested individuals can email [email protected]. The program aims to address housing needs for the most vulnerable sectors, promoting access to safe and affordable living conditions.
Zamora emphasized that this project marks the beginning of a broader initiative to address the country’s housing challenges.
“The 4PH program is a transformative solution, and San Juan City is proud to lead this effort. We will continue to work hard to provide affordable housing for our community,” the mayor added.
San Juan City is one of the first areas to implement the 4PH initiative, with additional housing projects planned for the future.
Launched in September 2022, the 4PH program aims to eliminate informal settlements in the country by 2028, with the Marcos administration targeting the construction of one million housing units annually to address a backlog of 6.5 million housing units. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
