THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has issued an order allowing beneficiaries of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program to directly apply for a housing unit of their choice to the agency, the Pag-IBIG Fund or developer.
DHSUD in a statement on Wednesday said Department Order (DO) No. 2025-021 signed by Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling two days earlier “empowers the homebuyers to take charge in the selection of the type of housing programs and projects suitable to their needs and requirements.”
At present, 4PH beneficiaries must be nominated by a local government unit and DHSUD based on the prioritization of the beneficiaries.
“Under the new procedures, we are giving homebuyers/beneficiaries the option to choose the kind of housing they prefer and where. We are expanding their options,” Aliling said in the statement.
He said the order supports the agency’s flagship Expanded 4PH Program and makes it a beneficiary-centric program aimed not only at building decent homes but offering dignified living for homebuyers/beneficiaries.
It simplified the previously complex application process for homebuyers/beneficiaries under the original 4PH.
The homebuyers/beneficiaries can now go straight to the developer of their choice, choose the socialized housing project they prefer and apply directly to Pag-IBIG Fund or DHSUD for faster processing, he added.
The order also aims to “facilitate the matching of homebuyers’ financial capacity with the eligibility criteria of the funding agencies; strengthen coordination among industry stakeholders such as but not limited to the homebuyers, developers, national agencies, local government units, DHSUD attached agencies, among others, and support purchase and/or post-award services to hasten and improve project delivery to its intended beneficiaries.”
Pag-IBIG Fund recently issued a circular offering 3 percent interest rate for socialized housing, both for horizontal or subdivision-like housing and vertical or the condominium-type units, enrolled under the Expanded 4PH for up to 10 years. The rate may still be lowered through government subsidy subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.
The DHSUD chief stressed the need to establish a beneficiary-centric housing development and financing-enhanced program for a wider range of beneficiaries and improved living conditions in government housing communities.
Under DO 2025-021, the DHSUD intends to “expand the affordability and accessibility of the programs by empowering the homebuyers to take charge in the selection of the type of housing programs and projects suitable to their needs and requirements.”
Upon his assumption of office last May, Secretary Aliling opened the 4PH to horizontal developments or subdivision-like housing projects, and other modalities like rental and incremental housing schemes. He also ordered the revival of the community mortgage program (CMP).
Previously, 4PH was focused only on the construction of vertical developments or condominium-type projects that did not gain enough traction from targeted beneficiaries due to the high cost compared to subdivision-type housing, which remains the preference of many homebuyers.
