SHFC, DHSUD Hand Marikina Families Long-Awaited Titles
More than 70 Marikina families now hold proof that the ground beneath their homes is theirs. The titles were handed over on August 27 at the Fortune Barangay Hall.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) awarded the Transfer Certificates of Title (TCTs). A total of 73 member-beneficiaries received them.
The new titleholders come from three homeowners’ associations. These are Solid Santan HOA, Inc., Samahang Pinagkaisang Maralita ng Santan HOA, Inc., and Juancho Pacheco HOA, Inc.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling led the awarding. He was joined by SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo.
Marikina Titles End a 1990s Wait
All 73 are former informal settler families. They were moved to Barangay Fortune under Marikina’s in-city resettlement program in the 1990s.
What changed for them was legal standing, not an address. They have lived on the same land since that resettlement, and the TCTs now document their ownership of it.
Laxa said title-awarding ceremonies rank among his favourite occasions. ‘Dito ko talaga nakikita na napakasaya ng mga tao. Very appreciative ang mga benepisyaryo, nakikita mo talagang nakangiti sila at masayang-masaya sa pagkuha ng titulo,’ he said.
Quimbo framed housing as the most important thing a family can be given. ‘Ang pabahay talaga ang pinakaimportanteng bagay para sa ating lahat. Bagamat mas marami tayong natatanggap na batikos kaysa papuri, isipin na lang natin na sa bawat tahanan at bawat bahay, nandito ‘yung walang humpay na kaligayahan at katahimikan na dinadala ng ating programa,’ he said.
How the Community Mortgage Program Works
The CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program run by SHFC. It was established in 1998.
It helps legally organised associations of low-income groups acquire and develop a tract of land. The land is held under the concept of community ownership.
That structure let the three Barangay Fortune associations take title collectively. They did not have to file as scattered individual claimants.
The ceremony formed part of the month-long 38th CMP anniversary celebration. Its theme this year is ‘Bahay, Buhay, Magandang Kinabukasan.’
The awarding sits within President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. DHSUD implements the program.
SHFC has cast the effort as part of its push for affordable, decent and resilient shelter. For the families, the documents also stand for stability, dignity and a firmer footing.
The anniversary figure is still worth confirming with SHFC before this runs. The release calls it the 38th but dates the program to 1998.
