CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiary families now residing in government-supported housing units under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program in Pampanga.
The visit in Magalang and Mabalacat City on May 21 allowed the DSWD chief to observe the living conditions of beneficiary households and engage with families who have transitioned from renting or informal housing arrangements to government housing units.
It also underscored inter-agency collaboration between the DSWD and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in strengthening housing security and expanding access to affordable shelter for 4Ps beneficiaries.
“The President instructed us to make sure that it is a whole-of-government approach in helping people rise out of poverty. Thank you, Secretary Aliling of the DHSUD, for the partnership,” Gatchalian shared.
In Magalang, Gatchalian visited families in Pasinaya Homes and a nearby resettlement community, where beneficiaries shared their experiences of moving from renting or informal housing to government-supported units under the 4PH Program.
Among those visited was the Tejano family, longtime 4Ps beneficiaries who were able to support their children’s education through sustained program participation and livelihood opportunities.
The family has since achieved greater economic stability and is now securing their housing unit under a 19-year payment arrangement.
Also sharing their experience, members of the Manalili family recounted their transition from years of renting and financial difficulty to becoming 4PH beneficiaries.
Having previously graduated from the 4Ps program after improved household well-being, they now view stable housing as a key step toward long-term security.
The Batac family, a 4Ps beneficiary household since 2012, was likewise visited. Despite financial challenges, the family prioritized education, with children completing higher education and securing employment.
A member of the household, Jericho Batac, has since secured a housing unit under the 4PH Program as part of the family’s goal of achieving long-term stability.
“Maraming salamat po sa bumubuo ng 4Ps, DSWD at sa mga nagpasa ng batas na ito. Malaking tulong po sa aming pamilya ang pagiging benepisyaryo ng programang ito. Kami ay nakapag-aral, nakapag-graduate at nakapagtrabaho. Sa murang pabahay, sobrang tuwa rin po namin dahil malaking tulong po ito [yung subsidy] para makabawas sa bayarin sa bahay. Sana po ay magtuloy-tuloy pa ito para magkaroon din ng pagkakataon ang iba na magka-sariling bahay,” Batac said.
(Thank you very much to those behind the 4Ps, the DSWD, and those who passed this law. Being beneficiaries of this program has been a great help to our family. We were able to study, graduate, and find work. With the affordable housing, we are also very happy because this [subsidy] is a big help in reducing our household expenses. We hope this will continue so that others will also have the opportunity to have their own homes.)
In Mabalacat City, the Secretary also met the Villarico family, a female-headed household that continues to demonstrate resilience following the passing of the family head in 2021.
With continued support from the 4Ps program and family members, the household has focused on the education of its youngest monitored child, with the 4PH housing opportunity seen as a step toward long-term stability and security.
The visit underscored inter-agency convergence between the DSWD and DHSUD in expanding access to affordable housing for 4Ps beneficiaries, supporting government efforts to strengthen social protection and improve living conditions under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
