Thousands of Filipino families in low-income communities are one step closer to owning land, as the government revives its on-site housing projects under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), a key component of the national housing strategy.
More than 5,000 families are expected to benefit from 34 CMP projects reactivated by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), following the approval of the plan by Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
“We need to prioritize high-impact and implementable CMP projects and assist our beneficiaries transform their communities,” Aliling emphasized in an Inquirer.net report, noting that the move supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for pro-poor and community-driven housing efforts.
Initial CMP rollouts are set to begin in eight areas: Pasig, Valenzuela, Tanay (Rizal), San Fernando City (Pampanga), Roxas City, Iloilo City, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The DHSUD and SHFC aim to begin awarding the housing sites to qualified families by October.
“These projects represent not just houses but hope, dignity, and stability for thousands of Filipino families,” SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said. He added that the initiative is focused on empowering communities and upgrading lives through sustainable development.
The CMP revival includes several key enhancements to speed up implementation and ensure long-term benefits. A new credit component will allow for site improvements beyond land acquisition, preventing CMP communities from falling into informal or deteriorating conditions.
Laxa explained that the move reflects a shift toward “transformative” housing, with future plans for incremental home improvement as beneficiaries grow financially. The program also paused in 2022 during the initial phase of the Marcos administration’s 4PH Program, which then prioritized vertical housing.
To ensure faster evaluation and approval of projects, a dedicated task force has been established. SHFC is also planning partnerships with other government agencies, including the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to offer skills training and livelihood support for beneficiaries.
The CMP is a flagship housing finance initiative that allows legally organized low-income groups to collectively purchase and develop land. Beneficiaries may borrow up to P750,000 with a 6 percent annual interest rate, payable over 25 years.
Launched in 2022, the 4PH Program seeks to deliver 1 million housing units annually until 2028, addressing the country’s 6.5 million-unit housing backlog. The revival of the CMP is expected to reinforce these efforts by promoting inclusive, community-led housing development.
