The Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the flagship housing initiative under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is undergoing major expansion to provide Filipino families with a wider range of housing choices.
Previously focused on vertical housing or condominium-style projects, the 4PH program now includes horizontal or subdivision-type developments, rental housing, incremental housing, and a revitalized Community Mortgage Program (CMP). These enhancements aim to create more affordable, flexible, and family-friendly housing solutions tailored to beneficiaries’ needs and financial capacity.
Key Shelter Agencies Take on Specific Roles
To ensure smoother implementation, the government’s housing agencies have been assigned distinct responsibilities:
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Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC): Leads the expanded CMP to help organized communities acquire land and build homes.
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National Housing Authority (NHA): Manages affordable rental housing projects.
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Pag-IBIG Fund: Provides low-interest financing schemes for homebuyers.
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National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC): Develops a secondary housing market to strengthen mortgage-backed securities and broaden financing access.
Alongside these roles, the application process is being digitalized and one-stop housing centers are being set up nationwide. These measures aim to cut bureaucratic red tape, accelerate approvals, and clear long-standing backlogs.
Private Sector Steps Up Support
The expanded 4PH program has gained significant backing from private developers, with 42 companies pledging to deliver over 250,000 socialized housing units in the next three years. This partnership is part of the broader government plan to build one million housing units annually, addressing the country’s estimated 6.5 million housing backlog.
“The strong participation of private developers shows confidence in the reforms we are implementing,” housing officials noted. “This expansion is about giving families real choices—whether they prefer subdivision-style homes, affordable rentals, or incremental builds.”
A More Beneficiary-Focused Approach
By moving away from a one-size-fits-all model, the 4PH program aims to avoid creating a “captive market” where families have limited housing options. Instead, the program will prioritize community-driven and cost-efficient projects that match the diverse needs of Filipino households, including those in rural areas and informal settlements.
The recalibrated approach also emphasizes affordability by offering flexible payment terms and low-interest loans through Pag-IBIG and other financing partners. Incremental housing schemes will allow families to build or improve homes in stages, while CMP enhancements will empower organized communities to collectively acquire and develop land.
Looking Ahead
The expanded 4PH program represents a critical step toward the Marcos administration’s housing vision: decent, affordable, and accessible homes for every Filipino family. With public-private partnerships, streamlined processes, and a strong focus on beneficiary needs, the government aims to transform the national housing landscape in the coming years.
As construction targets accelerate, officials remain optimistic that the 4PH program will play a central role in achieving sustainable urban and rural development—while giving Filipino families the freedom to choose homes that truly fit their needs.