President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to provide every Filipino family with a safe, decent, and affordable home, underscoring the government’s major strides in expanding the national housing program.

Speaking during the opening of the National Housing Expo 2025 at the World Trade Center, Marcos noted the government’s collaboration with the private sector and housing agencies in delivering comprehensive housing services from design planning and financial assistance to housing loan processing.

“Ngayong araw, muli nating pinagtitibay ang ating pangarap: na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino ay magkaroon ng ligtas, maayos, at sariling tahanan (Today, we reaffirm our dream: that every Filipino family get a safe, orderly, and their own home),” Marcos said.

He, however, acknowledged that despite the gains in housing programs, homeownership remains a challenge for many Filipinos, with some families still renting or frequently relocating.

He cited the urgent need to expand and accelerate housing initiatives to ensure a stable, affordable, and secure home for all.

“May mga pamilyang taon nang nangungupahan, palipat-lipat ng tirahan, laging may pangamba na baka sila’y mapaalis (Many families have been renting for years, moving from one place to another, always anxious that they might be forced to leave their homes),” Marcos said.

“Kaya naman nagsusumikap ang pamahalaan na palawakin ang ating programa, pabilisin ang mga proseso, at palalimin ang suporta sa sektor ng pabahay (That’s why the government is working hard to expand our programs, streamline processes, and strengthen our support for the housing sector).”

Housing partnerships and progress

Marcos emphasized the success of the government’s collaboration with the private sector and housing agencies in delivering comprehensive housing services.

He recognized the Pag-IBIG Fund as one of the government’s steadfast partners in housing development, noting that about PHP75 billion in cash loans had been released to nearly three million members, providing much-needed financial relief.

“Ngayong taon lang, sa pamamagitan ng Pag-IBIG, mahigit limampu’t pitong libong miyembro ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na makalipat sa sariling bahay o mapaayos ang kanilang tinitirahan (Just this year, through Pag-IBIG, more than 57,000 members were given the opportunity to move into their own homes or improve their current ones),” he said.

Marcos also mentioned the Green Lane Program, which ensures that housing projects are climate-resilient and can withstand environmental challenges.

“Makikita natin ang bunga ng pagtutulungan ng gobyerno, pribadong sektor, at ng mga tinatawag nating housing agency (We can see here the fruit of cooperation among the government, the private sector, and our housing agencies),” he said.

Expanded housing program

Under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the administration continues to increase affordable housing opportunities through the Pag-IBIG Fund, Marcos said.

He vowed that the government’s housing efforts would continue until every Filipino had a home they could call their own.

“Sa pamamagitan ng Pag-IBIG Fund, maaari nang makakuha ng abot-kayang housing loan, kabilang na ang alok na tatlong porsyentong interest rate kada taon para sa mga kababayan nating maliit ang kita (Through Pag-IBIG Fund, low-income Filipinos can now avail of affordable housing loans with an annual interest rate of only 3 percent),” Marcos said.

He said overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), as well as beneficiaries and graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), are also eligible for assistance under the expanded initiative.

During the event, Marcos also led the turnover of Notices of Approval and Certificates of Entitlement to select housing beneficiaries.

The household beneficiaries from Los Baños, Laguna; Lucena City; Iloilo City; and Caloocan City were granted ownership of the lands they have long occupied.

“Sa wakas, pormal nang mapapasainyo ang mga lupang matagal na ninyong tinitirahan (At last, the land you have been living in will formally be yours),” he said.

The President thanked the private sector, housing developers, financial institutions, and other stakeholders for their steadfast partnership in realizing the government’s housing goals. (PNA)