Iloilo families secure land with P50M housing aid under ECMP
A total of 367 families in Iloilo City have received a combined P50 million in housing support from the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The awarding ceremony was held on Wednesday, February 4, in Jaro, providing relief and security for homeowners in Mirasol Village, Barangay Dungon C, Mandurriao District.
The event was led by DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa, alongside Iloilo Lone District Representative Julienne Baronda. During the ceremony, the association was handed checks worth over P46.5 million for land acquisition, supplemented by a grant exceeding P2.6 million. Residents also received their Certificate of Lot Award (CELA), formally confirming their ownership of the property where their homes are situated.
ECMP strengthens homeownership
The Mirasol Village project is among the first 36 communities approved under SHFC’s Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), a revitalized version of the agency’s flagship CMP. Launched in July as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the ECMP aims to streamline processes and secure land tenure for organized communities, providing safe and affordable housing.
“Mahirap man ang pinagdaanan ninyo, magandang balita naman ang ibibigay namin sa inyo ni Secretary Aliling dahil mawawakasan na ang inyong paghihintay na makasa-inyo ang inyong lupa,” Laxa said, highlighting the program’s role in ending long-standing housing uncertainty.
Community leader April Rose Segumalian, president of the homeowners’ association, expressed relief, saying the assistance ensures tenure security and hope for a more stable future. “Noong wala pa po ang ECMP, gumigising po kami tuwing umaga nang walang assurance— na baka paalisin kami ng may-ari ng lupa (anumang oras). Ngayon, may pagasa na po kaming matawag na amin ang lupang ito,” she shared.
Partnerships pave the way
Rep. Julienne Baronda emphasized the importance of collaboration between local and national government bodies in making homeownership accessible. The success of Mirasol Village reflects the coordinated efforts of various agencies to deliver meaningful impact to Filipino communities.
Four other communities have already benefited from similar land acquisition grants and complementary assistance: Centennial Sunrise HOA, Megaville 2 HOA, and Villa Soledad HOA in Pasig City, as well as Wawang Pulo HOA Phase 1 in Valenzuela City.
Also present at the awarding were DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr., Human Settlements Adjudication Commission Executive Commissioner Atty. Avelino Tolentino III, SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, Senior Vice President Atty. Leo Deocampo, Treasury Vice President Jason Yap, Resettlement Services Vice President Bob Flores, and 4PH Central Luzon Head Prandy Vergara, all of whom contributed to the program’s implementation and oversight.
