Pampanga: More than 1,300 low-income residents in Pampanga are now a step closer to securing ownership of the land they have long occupied, following government intervention to make housing more accessible and affordable.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in partnership with the Social Housing Finance Corporation, extended financial assistance to 397 families from the Pinag-isang Magkakapitbahay Miranda Compound Phases 1 and 2 in Barangay Maimpis under the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP). This initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, aiming to provide secure, affordable housing solutions for underserved communities.

Through the ECMP, the government released approximately PHP35 million to fund the collective purchase of the land currently occupied by the beneficiaries, effectively securing their tenure and protecting them from displacement. An additional PHP3.6 million was also provided to cover documentation and legal requirements, easing the financial burden on the communities.

With the assistance, families can now begin the process of legally owning their land through manageable, community-based financing schemes. DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling emphasized that the Expanded 4PH initiative makes homeownership more affordable, simple, and accessible, offering a safer, decent, and affordable shelter for every Filipino.

Beyond land acquisition, the DHSUD has committed to improving basic infrastructure in the area, including the drainage system, to help mitigate flooding and enhance overall living conditions. Aliling stated that the ECMP is designed to transform informal settlements into safer and more sustainable communities, with payment terms calibrated to the financial capacity of beneficiaries and active participation from homeowners' associations.

He highlighted that owning a home doesn't have to be a heavy financial burden, ensuring that the monthly installments are affordable for the beneficiaries. The program aims to promote not just homeownership but also a more dignified quality of life.

Under the ECMP, organized communities gain access to government-backed financing with flexible terms, allowing them to collectively purchase land without high upfront costs, providing a viable pathway to ownership for informal settler families.