Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling on Monday instructed two key shelter agencies (KSAs) to implement pro-poor housing projects under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Secretary Aliling directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to formulate and invigorate housing programs intended for the “poorest of the poor” and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to revive and improve its Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

“More than just inclusive, we must ensure that President Marcos Jr.’s expanded 4PH will be pro-poor,” said Secretary Aliling, a well-respected civil engineer in the construction industry.

“Ang mga kababayan natin mahihirap at walang sariling tahanan ang dapat unang-una sa ating listahan para sa expanded 4PH,” he added.

SHFC’s CMP is a people-centered housing finance and community development program which assists legally organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land and or units under the concept of community ownership using loans from SHFC.

The primary objective of CMP is to assist residents of blighted or depressed areas nationwide to own the lots they occupy (on-site), or at relocation sites (off-site), and eventually create sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with the local government units and the private sector.

On the other hand, the NHA has been implementing housing programs for informal settler families (ISFs) along danger zones and those affected by government projects and Supreme Court’s Mandamus to clean up Manila Bay.

“We must come up with specific projects intended for the poorest of the poor, and we shall implement them the soonest,” Secretary Aliling ordered.

Upon his assumption last week, the new housing czar vowed to expand President Marcos Jr.’s flagship 4PH to include all feasible modalities to improve private sector participation and to cover more beneficiaries, particularly the poor.