By People’s Television Network Inc.
More than just building houses, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship PambansangPabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program is about realizing every Filipino family’s dream of owning a decent house, building hopes and securing their future.
Already, the administration’s 4PH Program has started reaping milestones with the historic awarding of notices of approval to five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for housing units in Palayan City last Dec. 17, 2024 in Malacanang.
The five OFWs, who were here to celebrate Christmas with their families, were among hundreds of other OFWs hosted by the President and First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Malacanang Heroes Hall during the Pamaskong Handog para sa OFWs event. Senior government officials led by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose RizalinoAcuzar joined the President and the First Lady in the ceremonial turnover of keys.
“This marks a major step forward in our efforts to address the housing backlog in the country,” the President said. “Through the 4PH Program, we are not only building homes — we are building hope, security, and dignity for every Filipino family.”
Under the 4PH Program, the Marcos Jr. administration aims to address the country’s housing backlog through vertical housing, or the construction of condominium-type, multi-storey structures to maximize government land resources, in partnership with government financial institutions and the private sector.
“Simulanapoito ng tuluy-tuloyna turnover at delivery ng 4PH units,” Secretary Acuzar said. “Sa mgasusunodnabuwan ay marami pang 4PH units angatingiaawardsaatingmga beneficiaries.”
A Strategic Shift
in Housing Policy
Declared as the administration’s flagship housing program under Executive Order No. 34, s. 2023, 4PH is a strategic departure from traditional horizontal housing projects as it prioritizes multi-storey developments to maximize limited urban space and accommodate more families efficiently.
“This program signals a paradigm shift in our approach to public housing,” Secretary Acuzar said. “By focusing on vertical developments, we can optimize land use and deliver more homes to more families in less time.”
A key feature of the program is its reliance on private sector financing, which the Secretary described as critical to its long-term sustainability.
First OFW Beneficiaries
Receive Homes
During the turnover ceremony, five OFWs and their families formally received housing units under the Palayan City Township Project in Nueva Ecija. The beneficiaries were JeramieLeyno (OFW in Japan), Madeleine Anne Mallare (Saudi Arabia), Ramon Mabiog (Singapore), Fatima Tolentino (Japan), and Rogelio Crisostomo (Libya). They were selected through a vetting process conducted by the Department of Migrant Workers, the local government of Palayan City and the Pag-IBIG Fund.
“This is a wonderful government project,” Leyno said. “Now, people like me who are OFWs are given an opportunity to own decent housing through the 4PH Program.”
Mallare expressed gratitude, saying, “this is my dream coming true—to finally have a house I can call my own.”
Secretary Acuzar emphasized the significance of prioritizing OFWs in the program. “Our OFWs have long been the backbone of our economy. It is only fitting that we provide them with opportunities for safe, decent and affordable housing,” he said.
Expanding Partnership
with Academic Institutions
In addition to serving OFWs and low-income families, the 4PH Program has also expanded to address the housing needs of academic institutions.
The DHSUD recently signed agreements with the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) to construct housing facilities dedicated to their faculty and staff.
“This partnership reflects our broader commitment to building inclusive and sustainable communities under the 4PH program,” Secretary Acuzar said.
At PUP’s Sta. Mesa and Taguig campuses, two housing buildings with a combined 386 units are in the planning stages. “These projects will ensure that our educators and academic staff have access to safe and secure housing close to their places of work,” he added.
Both the UP-Diliman and PUP administrations have expressed support for 4PH.
A Vision for Resilient
and Inclusive Communities
More than just a housing initiative, the 4PH Program also serves as a tool for disaster resilience, urban renewal and social equity.
“This program isn’t just about building houses—it’s about creating spaces where families can thrive, where resilience is integrated into our infrastructure, and where every Filipino feels secure and empowered,” Secretary Acuzar said.
Under 4PH, DHSUD requires at least 40 percent of the site allocated for open spaces composed of open parks and playgrounds.
United under BagongPilipinas
In his closing remarks, President Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the administration’s long-term vision for the 4PH program.
“Our goal is not merely to build houses but to create vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities. This program is not just a response to the housing backlog—it is a cornerstone of our vision for a stronger, more united Philippines,” he said.
With projects underway across the nation, the 4PH Program stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to ensure that every Filipino family has access to a decent home they can call their own—a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
