DAVAO CITY(May 25) — Out of 3,000 poor families who applied this year for housing assistance under the government’s flagship 4PH program, only seven have so far qualified to receive condominium units — underscoring both the scale of the country’s housing crisis and the steep hurdles low-income Filipinos face in securing permanent homes.
The seven beneficiaries, all enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), were awarded 28-square-meter units at the People’s Ville Condominium in Calinan, Davao City, under a joint initiative of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Officials described the turnover as the first housing awarding nationwide specifically for 4Ps beneficiaries under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pamilyang Pilipino (4PH), the signature housing program of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
But while government agencies highlighted the inclusivity of the project, the figures presented during the ceremony also revealed how limited access remains for the country’s poorest families.
“This 2026, we have 3,000 applicants, but only seven families have passed the process for awarding,” said Gemma Gabuya, national program manager of the 4Ps.
The beneficiaries qualified for units with no reservation fee and no down payment, but must pay monthly amortization of P2,400 — a requirement officials said was necessary to ensure recipients can sustain ownership obligations.
Gabuya stressed that the units are “not free,” saying applicants undergo orientation, screening, and financial capability assessments before being approved.
The low approval rate reflects the government’s cautious approach in selecting beneficiaries who can consistently pay amortization despite belonging to the country’s poorest income sector.
Among the first awardees was Lea Rondez, a visually impaired massage therapist who said her family had spent years moving between rental homes before qualifying for a permanent unit.
Rondez said the condominium community offered stability and security that their previous living arrangements lacked.
Another beneficiary, Janet Ladrona, said her family had long lived with relatives while trying to secure a home of their own.
The project is being implemented by the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation, a government-owned firm under DHSUD.
People’s Ville consists of 7,200 condominium units and includes amenities such as a central park, clubhouse, swimming pool, basketball courts, and 24-hour security — features government officials say are intended to provide low-income residents with housing conditions comparable to private developments.
Davao City is one of only three pilot sites for the program, alongside Pampanga and Calabarzon.
While officials framed the initiative as proof that socialized housing can reach even the poorest sectors, the disparity between applicants and approved beneficiaries also highlights the continuing gap between the government’s ambitious housing targets and the realities confronting low-income families trying to qualify for them.
