348 from Cebu City endorsed for Pabahay program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) has endorsed a total of 348 individuals for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program in its proposed housing site in Brgy. Pulangbato.

DWUP’s executive director Atty. Ronald Anthony “Butch” Librando, however, clarified that these individuals still have to undergo the qualification process that the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has set before they could qualify for the program.

“Ang process man gud ana kay gikan namo sa LGU, kami modawat sa mga applicants, amo i-submit sa DHSUD kay naa sad silay process didto,” Librando said through the City’s Sugboanon channel yesterday.

“After ana, sila (DHSUD) maoy mo submit ana sa Pagibig,” he added.

Librando said the majority of the endorsed individuals are residents living in 20 mountain barangays and have passed the DWUP’s initial qualification process.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. launched the 4PH program in September 2022 with the aim to minimize the number of informal settlers nationwide before his term ends in 2028.

The 4PH program became available to Cebu City residents after the City signed a tripartite agreement with DHSUD and three private construction firms two years ago.

The three private construction firms identified are ARN Builders, DEO Homes, and FFJJ Construction, which committed to construct medium to high-rise housing units in the two barangays once the DHSUD has endorsed the names of qualified beneficiaries for the program.

In Pulangbato, ARN Builders committed to construct a 12-storey 4PH medium-rise housing unit once at least 250 beneficiaries have passed the DHSUD’s qualifications, Librando said.

The city, through DWUP, identifies the beneficiaries while the DHSUD will provide the framework and guidelines of the program.

DWUP continues to accept applicants to avail of the 4PH program ahead for another housing project in Pulangbato and possibly in Barangay Budlaan.

In order to qualify for the program, beneficiaries must have a family income of at least P15,000 a month, must be an active Pag-IBIG Fund member, and have given at least two years’ worth of contributions to the office.

“Kung mao lay pagpa member nila sa Pagibig, pwede sila mo catch up by paying the two-year contribution in advance,” Librando said.

Librando revealed that only a few individuals have so far availed of the program as some beneficiaries would prefer single-detached housing over vertical residences.

“Dili pa accepting sa mga tawo kaning condominium living, kay ang ilang naandam kay gusto sila mamuyo og house and lot, nga naa silay ilang kaugalingong yuta,” Librando said.

However, Librando said vertical housing is the “only way to go” especially that Cebu City’s property values have become expensive and housing spaces are becoming limited.

“For example, Cebu City mahal na kaayo ang presyo sa yuta. Dili naka makakita og P1,000 per square meter nga yuta dinhi sa siyudad. Minimum na gane ang P100,000 per square meter…Para ma maximize ang yuta, vertical housing na gyud ta,” he added.

Aside from that, another factor is the misconception that the 4PH program is a free housing program of the national government.

“Ang first nga nasabtan sa mga tawo man gud nga ang 4PH program, dole out ni siya, na libre ni siya. Mao nang sa orientation namo, amo silang sultihan nga mo-apply sila sa Pagibig og housing loan application,”Librando said. — (FREEMAN)