MANILA — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has expanded the coverage of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) and launched programs to address the housing needs of more Filipinos.

“Nagsimula ang ating programa na nagko-concentrate tayo on vertical housing. With the assumption of Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, pinalapad po natin at pinalawak natin iyong coverage natin,” DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Henry Yap said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday.

Yap said that nearly all income groups in the Philippines now have housing options, including subdivisions, condominiums, and rental units. He added that DHSUD has revived the community mortgage program and widened its scope starting in July, targeting over 6,000 beneficiaries across 36 projects.

The Pag-IBIG Fund, a member of the Shelter Cluster, also adopted programs including lowering interest rates for socialized and economic housing.

“From a high of 6.5 percent, binababa po natin to 3 percent or more than half po ang na-cut natin sa interest rates, at ito ay naging mas responsive dahil mas marami po ang mga benepisyaryo ang puwedeng lumahok at makahiram po sa Pag-IBIG,” Yap said.

Yap also said DHSUD has streamlined its processes to make the agency more responsive in issuing permits and licenses, aiming for zero backlog in all actionable items. Other initiatives include approving a price ceiling adjustment for socialized housing in coordination with other agencies, simplifying tax clearance requirements for developers, and creating a program for 4Ps graduates to join the 4PH Program.

For emergency response, DHSUD deployed modular shelter units last year and built around 20 bayanihan villages nationwide, particularly in areas hit by major earthquakes, including Cebu and Davao Oriental.

“Nagbigay din po tayo ng tulong na financial assistance sa ating Integrated Disaster Shelter Assistance Program or IDSAP alinsunod sa direktiba at guidance ng ating Presidente para maging inclusive at sustainable ang ating housing solutions para sa mga Pilipino,” Yap said.

This year, DHSUD will implement PlanSmart, developed with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to accelerate the preparation of comprehensive land use plans.