NAGA CITY — A long-cherished dream turned into reality on Tuesday as Pag-IBIG Fund and the City Government of Naga began turning over affordable homes to city employees. The initiative, part of the Expanded 4PH Program, is making homeownership achievable for public servants, particularly those in lower salary grades.
A Dream Realized for Public Servants
For many years, the city government aspired to provide housing opportunities for its employees, but affordability remained a major hurdle. Mayor Maria Leonor "Leni" G. Robredo emphasized that this aspiration is now becoming a reality. Through the partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund and BellaVita, homes previously beyond reach are now within grasp.
The project initially covers 576 housing units at BellaVita Naga in Barangay Pacol, each priced at an affordable ₱350,000. This price point, combined with accessible financing, removes the financial barriers that once prevented hardworking city employees from owning their own homes. It is a direct investment in the people who serve the city every day.
Affordable Homes Through the 4PH Program
The units are made even more affordable through Pag-IBIG Housing Loans at a subsidized interest rate of just 3% per annum for the first five years. This subsidized rate is a key component of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. It significantly lowers monthly amortizations, making homeownership a practical goal for first-time buyers.
Mayor Robredo expressed her happiness at the rapid progress. Just two months after signing the agreement, over 100 housing loan accounts have already been taken out. The city hopes to complete the takeout of all 576 units by October, with plans to extend the opportunity to teachers, uniformed personnel, and informal sector workers who are Pag-IBIG members.
Streamlined Processes and Future Expansion
The partnership included a government-to-government documentation arrangement, which streamlined the loan processing and turn-over. This efficient system allows employees to move from application to homeownership quickly. Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene C. Acosta highlighted this as a model of the "one-government approach" in action.
Acosta noted that the project shows how national and local government can work with the private sector to make affordable homeownership more accessible. The initiative aligns with Pag-IBIG's strengthened collaboration with Ayala Land, which includes recent agreements with its brands Avida and Amaia. This broadens housing choices and financing options for Filipino workers nationwide.
A Model for National-Local Collaboration
The turnover coincided with Jesse Robredo Day, honoring the late mayor's legacy of good governance and public service. This timing adds deeper meaning to the event, connecting the values of dedicated public service with the tangible reward of a secure home. The project stands as a testament to the power of collaborative governance.
For Acosta, the partnership's success is measured in the keys placed in the hands of new homeowners. She thanked Mayor Robredo and the city government for their dedication. The Naga project demonstrates that when institutions align around the needs of the workforce, the dream of homeownership becomes a reality for more Filipino families.
