5,000 families to benefit from community mortgage program

More than 5,000 families are set to benefit from the revival of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to implement pro-poor and people-centric programs.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling approved the relaunch of an initial batch of 34 on-site projects proposed by Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President and CEO Federico Laxa. The move aims to strengthen the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, which now includes all housing modalities to better address the nation's housing backlog.

The 34 identified sites span Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, reflecting the national scope of the CMP and underscoring SHFC's commitment to delivering inclusive and community-driven housing solutions, especially for the poorest.

Preparations are underway for the rollout of the first batch of CMP sites, with eight initial locations identified in Pasig, Valenzuela, Tanay in Rizal, San Fernando City in Pampanga, Roxas City, Iloilo City, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The awarding of these sites to qualified beneficiaries is targeted to begin by October.

"These projects represent not just houses but hope, dignity, and stability for thousands of Filipino families," Laxa said. "This move reflects our strong commitment to address the housing needs of the underserved through direct community empowerment."

Laxa shared that, following a series of reviews and deliberations, key enhancements have been introduced to the CMP to eliminate bottlenecks and accelerate project implementation. Among these reforms is an additional credit component, on top of the initial loan for lot acquisition, dedicated to site upgrading. This aims to ensure that CMP communities are no longer considered informal or blighted settlements.

"We will be more transformative with our CMP projects to ensure the continuous improvement of the communities we serve," Laxa said.

He also shared that SHFC will collaborate with other agencies to ensure beneficiaries can access a broader range of services offered by the government and other institutions. This includes a planned partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide skills training and capacity-building programs that can boost the long-term income prospects of community members.

To further streamline processes, a dedicated Task Force has been established to fast-track the evaluation and approval of CMP projects.

With DHSUD's backing, the revitalization of CMP offers a timely boost for underprivileged families striving for security of tenure.

Editor's Note: Established in 1988, the CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program that assists legally organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership.