CEBU CITY — Filipina Mae Caporte, 30, always dreamed of owning a home but believed it was out of reach while supporting her family. That dream became reality when she purchased a fully furnished unit at the Cebu City 4PH Residential Park in Barangay Pulangbato.
A Journey from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu
As the eldest child and one of her family's breadwinners in Cagayan de Oro City, Caporte carried heavy responsibilities. In 2021, she moved to Cebu City to work as an accountant for a real estate company, hoping to find better opportunities for herself and her loved ones.
Her choice of employer proved strategic. Working in real estate exposed her to property ownership possibilities, and she saw a path toward eventually buying her own home. After about five years of hard work and careful saving, that path finally opened through the government's housing program.
A Home Within Reach
When Caporte learned about the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program, she applied immediately without hesitation. The program offered affordable homes at subsidized interest rates, making ownership attainable for workers like her.
She secured a 27-square-meter, fully furnished two-bedroom unit at the Cebu City 4PH Residential Park. The mid-rise project was built by a private developer accredited under the program and financed through the Pag-IBIG Fund. Accredited projects under the program carry a ceiling price of ₱1.8 million to ₱1.9 million.
The numbers made sense for her budget. Her unit carries a monthly amortization of ₱8,010.48 at a subsidized three-percent interest rate over a maximum loan term of thirty years. That manageable payment allows her to continue supporting her family while building her own future.
Furnished and Accessible
Caporte praised the unit's quality and location. She noted that the property sits conveniently near the city, making her daily commute easier. The fully furnished feature also spared her significant move-in costs.
"It is very convenient because I don't have to buy house furniture anymore," she said. For a young professional juggling family obligations and career growth, that savings mattered enormously.
She described the monthly amortization as an investment rather than an expense. Instead of paying rent with nothing to show for it, she now pays toward a home she will eventually own outright.
Addressing the National Housing Backlog
The Expanded 4PH Program is the flagship housing initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. It is implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development alongside the Pag-IBIG Fund, local government units, and accredited private developers.
The program targets the country's housing backlog by offering homes with subsidized interest rates and low monthly amortizations. Projects like the Cebu City 4PH Residential Park give young professionals and workers viable options in cities where land and property costs remain high.
Encouraging Others to Take the Leap
Caporte hopes more developers will join the program so ordinary Filipinos can access affordable homes. She encouraged fellow workers to seize the opportunity, describing it as a chance to achieve long-term goals at the lowest price with good quality.
"I am thankful to the government for this program," she said. "Purchasing a housing unit at a very affordable price provides a huge relief to me now that I am still helping my family."
