DHSUD expands 4PH with beneficiary-centric housing modality in Caraga
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-Caraga continues to strengthen its expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program to ensure that more Filipinos, particularly Caraganons, gain access to safe, decent, and affordable housing.
DHSUD Caraga Director Fulgencio R. Buyan shared during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on April 21 in Butuan City.
“The housing initiative has evolved from the original 4PH Program, which primarily focused on vertical housing, into the Expanded 4PH Program that now also accommodates horizontal housing developments,” Dir. Buyan said. “This expansion adopts a beneficiary-centric housing modality, allowing housing options to be tailored-fit to the actual needs and capacity of beneficiaries.”
Buyan also relayed that several local government units (LGUs) across the region have expressed strong support for the program, particularly in facilitating the formation of homeowners’ associations and identifying suitable project sites.
He cited the local government unit of Talacogon in Agusan del Sur that recently secured a developer and is currently processing documentary requirements, with project implementation targeted to commence within this year, 2026.
Meanwhile, according to Engineer Joel C. Lobrino, development officer of DHSUD Caraga, the DHSUD’s beneficiary-centric modality ensures that housing affordability is fully integrated into project development.
“Under this modality, the program matches the housing package with what the beneficiary can afford. The project will be designed based on the needs and capacity of the beneficiaries, whether the preferred housing type is vertical or horizontal,” Lobrino said.
Moreover, in partnership with the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), the expanded 4PH Program also offers accessible housing financing, with interest rates as low as three percent, making homeownership more attainable for low- and middle-income families.
DHSUD Caraga is also focusing on regulating developers, expediting the approval of housing projects, and strengthening homeowners’ associations to better protect Caraganons when purchasing house-and-lot packages, especially amid rising costs brought about by the energy crisis.
It encourages communities to organize and strengthen homeowners’ associations. These associations serve as platforms where beneficiaries can share their preferences, ideas, and concerns regarding housing design and community development. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
