OFWs qualify for socialized housing under expanded 4PH program

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may now avail of socialized housing units under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program regardless of their monthly income, subject to other requirements, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said this was among the salient features of a circular released by the Pag-IBIG Fund under its Expanded 4PH exclusive programs. The move is part of the administration’s way of honoring the sacrifices of OFWs, who are considered the country’s modern-day heroes, he said.

"This is in line with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand 4PH so that more Filipinos, including our OFW heroes, can benefit," Aliling said in a statement.

"This is a small thing compared to the sacrifices of working abroad, being away from family, and the contributions to the economy of our OFW heroes," he said.

The new qualification for OFWs is among the key provisions of Pag-IBIG Fund Circular No. 473, signed by chief executive Marilene Acosta on July 10, 2025.

"OFWs shall be qualified to avail of the program, regardless of the decile classification," the circular said, among other new guidelines in the implementation of the Expanded 4PH.

The qualification is still subject to other requirements, such as having an active Pag-IBIG Fund membership. Applicants should also be first-time homeowners, not more than 65 years old at the date of application, insurable and not more than 70 years old at loan maturity, among others.

As of 2023, there were an estimated 2.16 million OFWs around the world.

For non-OFWs, Filipino first-time homebuyers belonging to income deciles 7 and below are qualified to avail themselves of socialized housing units under the flagship program. These are families with a monthly income of no more than PHP47,000 for Metro Manila and PHP34,684 outside the capital.

Under the latest guidelines, socialized vertical and horizontal housing enrolled in the Expanded 4PH will only be subject to a 3-percent interest rate for up to 10 years. This is almost half of the prevailing interest rate of 6.25 percent per annum.

For example, for socialized housing priced at P850,000 (horizontal) and P1.5 million (vertical), a beneficiary who avails of horizontal socialized housing will only pay a monthly amortization as low as P3,583 instead of P5,233 with the prevailing interest rate.

Those who avail themselves of the P1.5 million vertical unit will pay as low as P6,324 monthly instead of P9,235.

These rates could still be lowered further if the applicant-beneficiaries qualify for government subsidy.

"The order of President Marcos Jr. is to extend all possible help to our countrymen to make their lives easier. That is why DHSUD continues to develop concepts to make housing under the Expanded 4PH even more affordable for everyone," Aliling said.

"Expect that in the coming weeks, we will be releasing new guidelines to further improve the implementation of the Expanded 4PH," he said.