Unused Government Land Could Become Affordable Homes Under New Housing Partnership
State-owned land could soon make room for affordable homes. The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) signed a pact Tuesday to explore socialized housing on PRA properties.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Makati City under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. A pilot vertical project on a PRA site in Metro Manila is planned.
SHFC and PRA Seal Housing Pact
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and PRA General Manager and CEO Cesar Siador Jr. signed the deal. SHFC Executive Vice President Leo Deocampo and PRA Chairperson Alexander Lopez witnessed it.
Under the agreement, SHFC will provide technical expertise in assessing potential socialized housing sites identified by PRA. The two agencies will meet again in the coming weeks to finalize a usufruct agreement for the proposed project.
The pact came a day after SHFC approved two vertical housing projects under the program: 1Bataan Alas-Asin Village in Mariveles, Bataan, and People’s Plan Ville in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Both aim to widen access to decent, affordable housing.
Officials Eye Broader Housing Support
These initiatives support the president’s directive to “do more for the Filipino people,” Laxa said. They also strengthen inter-agency collaboration and expand access to affordable housing.
SHFC has also teamed up with the Pag-IBIG Fund, the Land Registration Authority and the Cooperative Development Authority, among others, to speed up projects. The pact aligns with Human Settlements Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling’s call for collaboration.
Lopez said the agreement lets PRA and SHFC “take a step closer to achieving that goal” of affordable housing. He hopes it starts a lasting partnership that gives communities livelihood, education and other essential services.
