Chef Tatung Sarthou Introduces A Filipino Philosophy Of Living Through The Wisdom Of The Kitchen

Chef Tatung Sarthou introduces KitchiZen, a book that reframes the Filipino kitchen as a space for life lessons on balance, patience, and understanding enough.

From Narrative To Infrastructure: How Reputation Management Evolved In The Last 10 Years

Reputation today is no longer shaped by messaging alone but by systems, actions, and consistency that stakeholders experience and verify across platforms over time.

When In Manila And The Long Game Of Building A Lasting Brand

A platform built on consistency now faces reinvention, as When In Manila shifts from founder-led identity to a shared space shaped by its growing community.

Unilever Champions Women Within The Workplace And Beyond Through Purposeful Programs And Partnerships

Unilever Philippines highlights how intentional policies and programs can empower women to lead, grow, and thrive across workplaces and communities.

DHSUD At 7: Bringing Hope, Changing Lives

DHSUD reaffirms its commitment to building stable and resilient communities nationwide.

DHSUD At 7: Bringing Hope, Changing Lives

2634
2634

How do you feel about this story?

Like
Love
Haha
Wow
Sad
Angry

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has produced concrete and life-changing outcomes for Filipino families through President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

As the Department marks its seventh anniversary with the theme, “Seven Years of Continuing Service: Celebrating Our People and Partners in Building Homes, Building Communities, and Building Happiness,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling underscored how policy reforms, program expansion, and a people-centered approach have strengthened the administration’s housing and urban development agenda.

Created in 2019 by virtue of Republic Act No. 11201, DHSUD consolidated the housing and urban development functions under one department.

In 2022, it launched the 4PH Program, which was further recalibrated and expanded in 2025 following the assumption of Aliling.

“Ang positibong pag-arangkada ng Expanded 4PH ay bunga ng sama-sama at pagtutulungan ng lahat ng kawani ng DHSUD at ng ating attached agencies, alinsunod sa malinaw na direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na maghatid ng maayos, ligtas at disenteng pabahay para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino (The positive progress of Expanded 4PH is the result of the collective and collaborative efforts of all DHSUD staff and our attached agencies, in accordance with the clear directive of President Marcos Jr. to deliver proper, safe, and decent housing for every Filipino family),” Aliling said, as quoted in a new release Saturday.

Housing modalities for all

Under the Expanded 4PH, housing delivery now goes beyond vertical developments to include horizontal housing, rental housing, Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), incremental housing, and housing sites covered by Presidential Proclamations, ensuring a wider and more inclusive reach — from the working and middle class to families in the informal sector.

In January, DHSUD sustained its strong performance by facilitating the awarding of Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) to beneficiaries of long-standing Presidential Proclamations in Palawan; distributing COEs under the revived ECMP; launching rental housing projects in Quezon City in the National Capital Region, and Iloilo City and Victorias City in the Visayas; and overseeing the turnover of house and lot packages in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund likewise offers a three-percent subsidized home loan rate Expanded 4PH, the lowest in the market, making ownership more accessible to the working and middle class.

“By delivering socialized housing at a subsidized rate, we make homeownership attainable for the working class — from the minimum wage earners and low-income families. This is inclusive growth translated into real homes as envisioned by our President,” Aliling said.

Beneficiaries under ECMP and Presidential Proclamations have cited the profound impact of finally securing land tenure after decades of waiting, describing the assistance as a source of peace of mind, stability, and renewed hope for their families.

“These life-changing stories inspire DHSUD to continue improving our systems and expanding our reach. Sa bawat susi ng bahay at bawat sertipikong naipagkakaloob, malinaw na ang reporma ay may tunay na epekto sa buhay ng tao (With every house key and every certificate issued, the reform has a real impact on people’s lives),” Aliling said.

Transparency, integrity win trust

Aligned with the President’s directive, DHSUD continues to implement its 8-Point Agenda, anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability, with zero tolerance for corruption and streamlined processes.

The reforms under the Expanded 4PH also strengthened private sector confidence, encouraging the participation of reputable developers and top-rated contractors in the government’s housing initiatives.

The Department opened its doors wide to stakeholder engagements, particularly private developers, to align government programs and policies with the private sector.

Dialogues with homeowner associations became a routine for regional offices to maximize the groups’ potential toward community development and nation-building.

Seven years since its creation, DHSUD reaffirms its commitment to continuously strengthen housing policies and programs that directly uplift Filipino lives — building not just houses, but stable, inclusive and resilient communities nationwide.

“Sa ikapitong taon ng DHSUD, malinaw ang aming paninindigan — hangga’t may pamilyang Pilipino na nangangarap ng sariling tahanan, magpapatuloy ang DHSUD sa pagtatrabaho nang may integridad, malasakit, at pananagutan, alinsunod sa bisyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa Bagong Pilipinas (On DHSUD’s seventh year, our stance is clear — as long as there are Filipino families dreaming of their own homes, DHSUD will continue to work with integrity, care, and accountability, in line with President Marcos Jr.’s vision that no Filipino will be left behind in the New Philippines),” Aliling said. (PNA)