Two local government units (LGUs) are bringing a dream to life for their communities—providing residents with a chance to own their dream homes.
In a recent "DILG sa DZRH Breaktime" program, representatives from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and Pandi, Bulacan, shared their ongoing housing projects with pride.
Palayan City Township: An Affordable Housing Vision
Palayan City Mayor Viandre Nicole Cuevas presented the "Palayan City Township," a housing initiative developed in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Cuevas reported that Phase 1 of the project, consisting of four 10-story buildings with 269 units, is nearly complete and aims to welcome residents by the end of this year.
The full project envisions a community of 24 buildings, each with 10 floors, packed with amenities such as parks, a basketball court, daycare center, clinic, and potentially a compact police and fire station. The complex spans an impressive 11 hectares, with eight hectares already in active development.
Mayor Cuevas clarified that anyone is eligible to apply, not just Palayan residents.
"Anyone is welcome to apply, especially the Novo Ecijanos, we encourage them to apply because we have built Palayan in a way na we would like people na to live here. They might necessarily work here pero we hope it's a nice environment for them to raise their families,"she said.
The priority for residency includes young professionals, families, and PAG-IBIG members. Applicants under 30 can lease a unit for as low as PHP 3,500 monthly over 30 years—far below market rental rates.
Requirements include a PAG-IBIG buyer's confirmation form, a government ID, and proof of income, such as a Certificate of Employment or a payslip.
"If they don’t have PAG-IBIG, we’re more than happy to help them," said Cuevas.
Pandi Terraces: Housing for Over 4,000 Families
Atty. John Ree E. Doctor, Municipal Legal Officer of Pandi, Bulacan, introduced the "Pandi Terraces" housing program, part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing Program (4PH), aimed at making decent housing accessible for Filipinos.
"Katuwang po ng pakikipag-ugnayan namin sa tamang ahensya ng gobyerno upang tuparin ang halos mahigit na 4,000 pamilyang Pandieño na nangangarap ng sarili nila, disenteng tirahan. Ito na po yung sagot sa kanilang pangarap," said Atty. Doctor.
The Pandi Terraces project includes nine buildings with 12 floors each, with residential units from the 2nd to the 11th floors, as the ground floors will feature commercial spaces. Set on five hectares, the project will also include amenities such as a basketball court.
Eligibility requires applicants to have not received previous housing assistance from the government or private housing programs. Doctor added, "Layunin po ng proyektong ito na tuparin ang hangarin po ng ating Gobyerno—walang Pilipinong walang sariling bahay sa sariling bayan."
President Marcos has prioritized housing assistance for sectors such as the urban poor, informal settlers, minimum-wage earners, government employees, and OFWs.
While the final monthly payment terms are yet to be determined, Doctor confirmed that there will be no down payment, with the payment period extending up to 30 years.
"Although very clear walang down payment, 30 years po ito, yung manner of payment at period kung magkano po ay nakadepende sa kakayanan ng pagbabayad ng isang beneficiary," he remarked.
Both housing projects represent significant strides toward improving living conditions and making homeownership a reality for thousands of Filipinos, aligning with the national government’s mission to provide "a home for every Filipino family."
