QUEZON CITY — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the University of the Philippines Diliman unveiled the model unit for a pioneering rental housing project on July 2, 2026. The Southern Diliman Gardens project will offer 1,000 units to benefit over 3,000 individuals.
A New Housing Modality
Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling led the ribbon‑cutting with Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, marking the expansion of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program into rental housing. The 27‑square‑meter model unit showcased functional living spaces with water and electricity provisions. Aliling emphasized that the rental option opens the program to more Filipinos.
The project consists of eight walk‑up buildings to be completed by late 2027. Megawide Construction Corporation, represented by COO Frederick Tan, will build the structures in phases, with the first five buildings scheduled for turnover by June 2027. The development sits within the university’s SDG Park.
Addressing a Long‑Standing Need
The site targets low‑salaried UP personnel and informal settler families currently living in substandard conditions on campus. By providing affordable rental housing, the project offers immediate relief without displacement. A compassionate construction strategy includes temporary on‑site shelters for affected families.
The initiative also protects university land from fraudulent land title schemes. Chancellor Vistan called the project “very valuable” for the UP community, highlighting its role in creating a secure, inclusive living environment for the university’s most vulnerable workers.
Public‑Private Collaboration
The partnership between DHSUD, UP Diliman, and Megawide exemplifies how government, academe, and the private sector can collaborate to deliver socialized housing. DHSUD provided funding for land development, while Pag‑IBIG Fund ensures the financial sustainability of the rental rates. The model blends institutional expertise with efficient construction.
Senior Undersecretary Eduardo Robles Jr. and other officials joined the unveiling, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to decent, safe, and affordable housing. The event underscored that the 4PH Program now accommodates renters alongside traditional homeownership.
Replicable Blueprint
The UP Diliman project serves as a pilot for other state universities. DHSUD has already initiated exploratory talks with UP Los Baños to replicate the rental housing model for campus workers and surrounding communities. The strategy can be adapted across other public institutions with land assets and housing needs.
The Southern Diliman Gardens represents a shift toward inclusive urban development, where workers can live near their workplaces without the burden of expensive commercial rent. As the buildings rise, the project promises a more dignified, stable future for families who have long waited for safe shelter.
