PHILIPPINES — The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) have joined forces to explore new socialized housing opportunities. The two government agencies formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 27 to advance the Expanded 4PH Program.
A Strategic Alliance for Socialized Housing
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and PRA General Manager Engr. Cesar Siador, Jr. signed the agreement, witnessed by top officials. The partnership aims to identify and assess suitable PRA properties for vertical housing projects, directly addressing the critical need for affordable homes in dense urban areas.
Under the agreement, SHFC will provide the necessary technical expertise to evaluate potential sites. The two agencies will develop a pilot vertical housing project on a PRA property in Metro Manila, maximizing the use of available government land for public good and community upliftment.
The MOU signing was attended by key officials from both agencies, reflecting the high priority placed on this initiative. Representatives from the legal, finance, and technical departments gathered to ensure that all regulatory and operational requirements are met for the pilot project.
Maximizing Land for Urban Housing
This collaboration comes just a day after SHFC approved two new vertical housing initiatives. These include the 1Bataan Alas-Asin Village in Mariveles and People’s Plan Ville in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The approvals highlight the agency's aggressive push to deliver decent housing to Filipino families.
The use of reclaimed and government-owned land is a highly practical approach to solving urban congestion. By building upward, the government can provide homes near workplaces, significantly reducing commute times and improving the overall quality of life for the beneficiaries. This approach also prevents urban sprawl.
Aligning with National Housing Goals
Laxa emphasized that these initiatives support President Marcos' directive to accelerate public services through inter-agency collaboration. Under his leadership, SHFC has partnered with various agencies, including the Pag-IBIG Fund, to expedite project implementation and benefit more housing beneficiaries.
Echoing his sentiment, PRA Chairperson Atty. Alexander Lopez expressed full support for the national housing agenda. He hopes the partnership goes beyond providing shelter, ensuring that future communities will also have access to livelihood, education, and essential services. This holistic approach ensures sustainable community development.
Next Steps for the Pilot Project
Both agencies are scheduled to meet in the coming weeks to finalize a usufruct agreement for the proposed housing project. This vital agreement will grant SHFC the right to use PRA's property for the socialized housing development without transferring full ownership of the land.
The formal partnership aligns with DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling's call for stronger collaboration among government agencies. By pooling resources and expertise, the government is building a more resilient and inclusive approach to permanently solving the country's housing backlog and uplifting marginalized sectors.
