DHSUD to help OFWs avail of 4PH housing program

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday signed a joint memorandum to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in accessing housing benefits under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac signed Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2024 as among the highlights of the closing of the National Shelter Month 2024 celebration.

Under the JMC, the DHSUD and the DMW committed to facilitate access for OFWs to housing benefits particularly with the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and under the 4PH Program.

Both Secretaries agreed to consider OFWs and their next of kins among the priority sectors of 4PH, and establish mechanisms to facilitate their applications through the Pag-IBIG Fund.

“Isang malaking karangalan po para sa akin ang makapagsilbi, kahit na papaano, sa ating mga OFWs. Katuwang ng DHSUD ang DMW at Pag-IBIG Fund sa pag-agapay sa ating mga Bagong Bayani,” Secretary Acuzar said.

“This is our simple way of honoring the sacrifices of our OFWs, not only for their families but more importantly for the country. Ang mga OFWs po ay isa sa mga pinaka-pundasyon at bumubuhay sa ating ekonomiya. Kaya marapat lamang na suklian ng ating gobyerno ang kanilang mga paghihirap sa pangingibang-bansa,” he added.

The housing czar stressed President Marcos Jr.’s directive to include OFWs among the priority-beneficiaries of 4PH to help them uplift their families through safe, decent yet affordable shelters.

“Ang atin pong OFWs ay bilin din ng ating mahal na Pangulo na maging prayoridad sa Pambansang Pabahay upang matulungan ang kanilang mga pamilya na magkaroon ng sariling tahanan na disente at abot kaya,” Secretary Acuzar said.

For his part, Secretary Cacdac expressed gratitude to DHSUD and Pag-IBIG Fund for providing OFWs the access to the housing program.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta vowed full support to the JMC as she cited their ongoing efforts to provide OFWs with ready and easy access to Pag-IBIG services.

With the signing of JMC No. 1 S. 2024, which was the result of an initial memorandum of understanding between DHSUD and DMW, OFWs interested with 4PH will now have clearer and better channel on how to process their applications.