Three more communities in Naga City have gained security of tenure through the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP)-one of housing initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
On August 18, Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President and CEO Federico Laxa and Mayor Leni Robredo awarded the checks totaling over P65.8 million to Mabolo Village Homeowners’ Association Phases 1 and 2 and Saint Joseph Homeowners Association in a ceremony held in Barangay Pacol. Representing Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Assistant Secretary Johnson Domingo also attended the event.
A total of 420 families will benefit from the awarding, which served as one of the highlights of the Jesse Robredo Day-a special working holiday in Naga honoring the legacy of the late Interior Secretary and City Mayor.
The latest awarding brings the total number of ECMP beneficiaries in Naga City to more than 800 families, with combined loan assistance reaching around P92 million. In June, SHFC also awarded checks to two other ECMP communities in the city, further strengthening its support for Nagueños seeking secure and affordable housing.
The milestone reflects Secretary Aliling’s vision of making government housing programs more responsive to the needs of communities, in line with President Marcos’ directive to bring government services closer to the people.
President and CEO Laxa said the latest awarding builds on SHFC’s continuing efforts to expand access to secure tenure among low-income communities. ‘Simula ngayon, makakatulog na nang mahimbing ang ating mga kababayan,’ he added. ‘Magkakaroon na sila ng kapanatagan at hindi na sila mangangamba na mapaalis pa sa kanilang lupain.’
Thanking DHSUD and SHFC for their continued efforts to assist her constituents, Mayor Robredo praised the CMP as a ‘life-changing’ program, particularly for allowing families to remain in their existing communities. ‘The best ang CMP kasi onsite. Hindi na sila mamomroblemang ilipat sila,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Mabolo Village Phase 1 President Rowena Bañas and Mabolo Village Phase 2 President Marissa Ramirez expressed their gratitude, describing the housing assistance as an ‘answered prayer.’ Sharing the sentiment, Saint Joseph HOAI President Nilo Villaflor underscored the timeliness of the assistance, noting that their community had been facing the threat of eviction before being enlisted under the ECMP.
Launched last year, the ECMP is SHFC’s improved and streamlined version of the 38-year-old CMP, designed to make housing assistance more responsive, accessible, and transformative for organized low-income communities.
To date, 47 ECMP projects have been approved, benefiting more than 8,000 families across the country.