In a move aimed at deepening government convergence efforts for poverty alleviation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on 8 August to provide affordable and adequate housing for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Held at the DSWD Central Office’s Katapatan Boardroom in Quezon City, the ceremonial MOA signing was led by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian and DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon “Ping” P. Aliling. 

The event was witnessed by key officials, including DSWD Assistant Secretary for Operations and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge (OIC) for the Conditional Cash Transfer Group (CCTG) Marites M. Maristela, CESO III, and DHSUD Undersecretary Henry L. Yap.

The agreement aims to align both agencies’ social protection and housing programs under a unified framework that supports the graduation of 4Ps households from poverty toward long-term stability. 

Specifically, the partnership will facilitate the inclusion of eligible 4Ps households into the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, which now offers various housing modalities, including vertical housing, house-and-lot packages, lots-only, and rental schemes.

“This is a milestone for convergence between our two agencies—rooted in the shared belief that decent, secure shelter is essential to building self-sufficient and resilient Filipino families,” Asst. Sec. Maristela said in her welcome remarks.

Asst. Sec. Maristela also emphasized the multidimensional nature of poverty and the need for integrated interventions, such as housing, to create long-lasting improvements in people’s lives.

Secretary Gatchalian lauded the rapid progress of the initiative, noting that, “…this is the first time sa history ng 4Ps na nagkaroon ng word na pabahay in that sentence, kasi lagi livelihood which is good, education which is even better.  

The DSWD Chief also emphasized the importance of shelter as a core human need alongside health, education, and livelihood.

“DSWD is not in the business of just providing assistance, medical assistance, burial assistance. We’re in the business of putting that hope into people’s lives and without real hope, that hope remains elusive,” Secretary Gatchalian said. 

Secretary Gatchalian also tasked the 4Ps National Program Management Office (NPMO) to fast-track the implementation of the MOA and target housing placements before the end of the year.

For his part, Secretary Aliling echoed the administration’s push for inter-agency cooperation under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-nation approach. 

The DSHUD Secretary highlighted the expanded nature of the 4PH Program, which now caters to the varying capacities of low-income families through diverse housing solutions.

“Kung ano po capacity nila, meron po tayong available na housing modality program. So dito po tayo magtutulungan, i-identify natin yung capacity nila, kung sino-sino po itong mga pamilyang ‘to. Kami naman po, hahanapan po namin sila ng modality po na angkop po sa kanila,” Secretary Aliling explained.

Secretary Aliling also expressed appreciation to DSWD for its prior data-sharing agreement, which helped DHSUD identify potential beneficiaries.

Under the MOA, both agencies committed to the institutionalization of convergence mechanisms, including the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG), joint coordination at national and regional levels, and data sharing in compliance with the Data Privacy Act.

The agreement will be effective for three years, with plans to pilot the initiative before a wider rollout. 

DSWD and DHSUD vowed to work closely in matching 4Ps graduates—particularly those already classified as self-sufficient—with appropriate housing options under the 4PH Program. #