Socialized condominium units were formally turned over to seven beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who availed of the low-cost units under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program after its awarding ceremony held on May 21 at the People’s Ville, Barangay Riverside, Calinan District, Davao City.

4Ps National Program Manager and Director Gemma B. Gabuya emphasized that housing initiatives such as the Expanded 4PH Program complement the objectives of 4Ps by helping families achieve long-term stability and eventually move beyond poverty.

“Sinasabi ko palagi ‘walang forever sa 4Ps’; walang forever sa pagiging mahirap. Kailangang makatawid, kailangang magkaroon ng [sariling] bahay, kailangang makapag-aral ang ating mga anak, kasi sa 4Ps hindi habang buhay ang kahirapan,” Director Gabuya said during the ceremony. 

(I always say, ‘there is no forever in 4Ps’; there is no forever in being poor. Families must move forward, have a home of their own, and ensure that their children can continue their education because poverty is not meant to last forever under 4Ps.)

Director Gabuya further underscored the importance of creating opportunities that enable children from poor households to achieve a better future.

“Ang sabi nga [natin], bibigyan natin ng oportunidad ang mga anak ng mga mahihirap, para hindi na ipamana ang kahirapan sa anak at kaapo-apuhan. 4Ps breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty,” the 4Ps National Program Manager added.

(As we always say, we must give opportunities to the children of poor families so that poverty will no longer be passed on to their children and future generations. The 4Ps break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.)

Under the Expanded 4PH Program, eligible and willing 4Ps beneficiaries, particularly those assessed under the Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) as Level 3 or “Self-Sufficient” and Level 2 or “Subsistence” households, are assisted in accessing affordable and secure housing opportunities to help them achieve long-term stability and resilience.

The ceremonial turnover of housing units forms part of the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide the poor and low-income Filipino families, including 4Ps beneficiaries, with access to safe, decent, and affordable housing through strengthened inter-agency collaboration and sustainable social protection programs.

Among those who received housing units during the ceremony was the Rondez family, whose journey reflects the transformative impact of the Expanded 4PH Program.

Lea and Epifanio Rondez, both people with visual impairment, have continued to work hard to provide for their three children despite the challenges brought by their condition.

Like many low-income families, they experienced years of uncertainty while renting and worrying about how they could secure a stable future for their children.

During her testimonial, Lea shared the difficulties they faced as parents with disabilities, “Bilang magulang na may kapansanan, higit na mas mabigat po ang aming pinagdaraanan. Maraming gabi po, kaming mag-asawa ay nag-aalala kung saan po kami kukuha ng pambayad sa upa at kung paano po namin mapananatiling maayos ang aming pamilya.”

(As parents with disabilities, our struggles are even greater. There were many nights when my husband and I worried about where we would find money to pay the rent and how we could keep our family stable.)

After completing the assessment process and qualifying to apply for a housing unit, the Rondez family was overwhelmed upon learning that they had been selected as beneficiaries of the program. 

“Isa po itong simbolo ng bagong simula, seguridad, at mas maayos na kinabukasan. Malaki pong ginhawa para sa aming mga magulang na mayroon pong matatawag na sariling tahanan ang aming mga anak. Isang lugar kung saan sila ay maaaring mangarap ng mas malaya at ligtas”, Lea shared. 

(This is a symbol of a new beginning, security, and a brighter future. It is a great relief for us as parents to know that our children now have a place they can truly call home—a place where they can dream more freely and safely.)

Following the ceremonial awarding, officials from DSWD and partner agencies visited selected housing units, including the home of the Rondez family, to personally witness the beneficiaries’ transition into their new community.

Present during the activity were DSWD Field Office XI Regional Director Rhuelo D. Aradanas, SHFC 4PH-Davao Head Margo Babao, and Pag-IBIG Fund representative Engr. Albert Falgui, and local government officials and representatives of Davao City.

Implemented through the partnership among the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – 4Ps, Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and the local government of Davao City, the initiative demonstrates the government’s whole-of-government approach in addressing poverty and housing insecurity.

As of April 2026, there are  80 active 4Ps beneficiary families and 63 4Ps exited families who have availed of 4PH housing units, demonstrating how social protection interventions can help households achieve long-term self-sufficiency and secure housing ownership. – Andrea Christine N. Agay