Gonzaga debacle already painted in the bad fortune wall
For breaking a unity pact for local political leaders and parties to field and support a common slate for the sake of political peace; and failing to reign in his itch to become governor in 2022, Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga is reaping whirlwinds that could end his political career when the dust of next year’s election settles down.
Six months away from the May election, the reelectonist 2nd District congressman is ranged against former political allies, the who-is-who in the Davao de Oro politics: Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, his father Provincial Board senior member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy, former governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, Vice Governor and former 1st District Rep. Maricar Zamora and majority of municipal mayors, councilmen amd barangay captains.
At the moment, Gonzaga’s thin bench consists of himself (he has filed for reelection as 2nd District congressman but with his camp hinting he would switch at the last minute to running for governor to challenge Gov. Uy as subsitute candidate — allowed by Comelec up to November 15); his wife Dorothy (reportedly also being prepped up as substite candidate for Rep. Gonzaga in the Congress or governor’s race; former Mt. Diwata (Diwalwal) barangay captain Franco Tito (who has filed his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for governor who could be substituted by either Rep. Gonzaga or wife Dorothy); and a bunch of hurriedly organized mayoral candidates to be pitted against the common candidate.
Gonzaga’s current political woes is a story of deceit, treachery taunted by a political virus that infected the congressman with an ambition to become governor in 2022.
The saga of the political treachery of Gonzaga, regional chair of the PDP-Laban, began in May this year when he signed a “covenant” with veteran politician former governor Chiongkee Uy, acknowledged kingpin in Davao de Oro politics and chair of the regional Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
The covenant, witnessed by church, police and military officials and local political leaders, promarily aimed at peace in the coming elections, with PDP-Laban and HnP fielding common candidates.
The highlights of the covenant include: (1) – Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy unopposed in his third and last term in 2022; (2) – Rep. Gonzaga and Maricar Zamora unopposed in 2022; (3) – common slate in other local elective positions;(4) – Tyron unopposed in Congress run in 2025; (5) – Rep. Gonzaga unopposed for governor in 2025.
But even as reports of the highly-appreciated covenant was still ringing in the air, Gonzaga secretly unleashed a challenger, Provincial Board member Nena Atimosa, to Maricar Zamora, 1st District Congress bet of the HnP, which came alongside with propaganda blitzes from the Gonzaga media camp of barangay captain Franco Tito running against Gov. Uy. The Gonzaga media bureau also floated scenarios of the congressman running for governor.
Tito has filed his CoC as Reporma, seen as a convenient vehicle for substitution by either Gonzaga or wife Dorothy in the governor’s race.
Tito’s ties to Gonzaga dates back to when Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who resigned as PDP-Laban secretary general and reorganized the opposition party Reporma, waged a protracted war vs. former ally President Rodrigo Duterte, the PDP-Laban chair, and then picked Senator Ping Lacson as candidate for president and Senator Tito Sotto for vice president of the Reporma.
If Gonzaga joins Reporma to substitute for Tito to be able to run for governor, he is forced to combine forces with Alvarez, Lacson and Sotto and the machinery of the opposition party Reporma in attacking Duterte and his candidates, including potential PDP-Laban presidentail candidate Mayor Sara Duterte. How would the voters of Davao de Oro react to seeing Rep. Gonzaga attacking PresidentDuterte and Mayor Inday Sara?
Prior to the October 8 deadline for filing of CoC, Gonzaga further revved up on his political treachery with his PDP-Laban mayoral bets trooping to Comelec to file their bids against candidates covered by the PDP-Laban/Hnp covenant.
Gonzaga’s boldest move was pitifully dropping Atimosa and fielding instead Vice Mayor Joanna Gentugaya, wife of Monkayo Mayor Ramil Gentugaya, as PDP-Laban bet against HnP’s Maricar Zamora in the First District Congress race.
But Chiongkee is well-prepared for the Gonzaga assault and had all war fronts in the coming polls covered.
The Gonzaga debacle is painted in the bad fortune wall:
The veteran political leader has lured ex-nemesis retired former governor Way Kurat back to politics as HnP bet vs. Rep. Gonzaga or his wife in the Congress race.
Chiongkee will drop his plans of political retirement and engage Gonzaga or his wife in case either of them substitue for Franco Tito and run for governor .
In the Davao de Oro election in May 2022, the Chiongkee vs. Gonzaga face-off in the gubernatorial race would be the most exciting, but also saddest, event.
Exciting in that we would see how Chiongkee would demolish an ambitious, treacherous politician like Gonzaga; and saddest for Gonzaga who would see his politics end up in ignominy.
Now, what about Gov. Jayvee Tyron? If the Chiongkee vs. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga pushes through, young Tyron will simply move over to the Congress race by substituting for Way Kurat Zamora vs. Gonzaga’s wifey Dorothy.
1. SHFC FEATURE: Liberating homeless Pinoys on People Power day
As the country celebrated on February 25, 2021 the 35th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa Revolution that liberated Filipinos from the two-decade Marcos dictatorship, a government agency marked the day by “liberating” the Pinoys from lack of shelter, one of the basic human needs.
On the day, February 25, which has been declared as a national holiday, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) toured Mindanao for three events in pursuit of its mandate to provide housing to homeless Filipinos.
2. PRESSCON: Turnover of permanent shelters to homeless victims of Marawi City Siege
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling & Mayor Dennis L. Roa of Naawan, Misamis Oriental sign on February 25, 2021 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement socialized housing under the SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP)
4. HOUSING CZAR DEL ROSARIO, SHFC PRESIDENT CABLING lead turnover of permanent shelters to homeless Marawi siege victims
MARAWI CITY – Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Chairman Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario on Thursday, February 25, spearheaded the turnover of permanent shelters to families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in this Muslim City in Mindanao in Southern Philippines.
Secretary Del Rosario, also chair of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) , was joined by Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, President of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
5. REPORT: SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (SHFC) IN 2020
Presented as part of celebration of the 2nd Anniversary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
6. SHFC & LGU Basud, Camarines Norte MOU signing
WATCH: SHFC and the local government unit of Basud, Camarines Norte enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on February 22, 2021 to uplift the living conditions of low-income families in the municipality through the provision of socialized housing initiatives. The MOU is signed by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Basud Municipal Mayor Hon. Adrian Davoco.
7. SHFC & LGU Minalin, Pampanga MOU signing
In celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Minalin Mayor Edgar Flores sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue safe, affordable, and livable housing in the municipality under the Community Mortgage Program. Said event is graced by the presence of DHSUD Assistant Secretary Leira Buan.
8. P500-M SHFC socialized housing project to rise in Cagayan de Oro City
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) led on February 3 , 2021 , groundbreaking rites for the Balubal Socialized Housing Project Phase 2, one of the biggest socialized housing projects of the government agency mandated to provide shelter to the homeless Filipinos. Funded by the SHFC with P500 million under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the project in partnership with the Cagayan de Oro City government, consists of 40 two-story buildings that could house 960 families.
9. SHFC & LGU Lavezares MOU Signing
SHFC signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the local government unit of Lavezares, Northern Samar to formalize collaboration in implementing adequate, livable, and affordable housing for underprivileged communities within the said municipality. The MOU is signed by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Lavezares Municipal Mayor Edito Saludaga.
10. SHFC HOUSING LOAN: P6.4-M for Jessie Homeowners Association, Inc. – Negros Occidental
P6.4 milyon was awarded by SHFC Bacolod for takeout of Jessie Homeowners Association, Inc. on January 29, 2021 to benefit 89 partner-homeowners in the onsite project in Barangay Chambery, Manapla, Negros Occidental. The awarding ceremony was led by Kara Cuarom at Izabelle Cortez of SHFC Bacolod Pre-Takeout, together with the landowner and Shelter for Homeless and Economic Development.
11. SHFC HOUSING LOAN: P13.98-M for Doña Estelita Homeowners Associations, Inc. in Palawan
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)-Palawan turned over on January 11, 2021, a check worth P13.98 million for lot acquisition of North Star at Doña Estelita Homeowners Associations, Inc. for a socialized housing project for 190 Palawan families.
12. SHFC HOUSING LOAN: P53.9-M for Edgar Lee Rodrigueza Homeowners Associations, Puerto Princesa
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Western Visayas Operations Vice President Emmanuel Penarubia, turned over on January 18, 2021, a check worth P53.8 million to Silangan Development Corporation in full payment for lot acquisition for the socialized housing project Bayview Phases 1 and 2 of Edgar Lee Rodrigueza Homeowners Associations, Inc. for about 320 families in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
JANUARY 2021
1. SHFC HOUSING LOAN: P23.5-M FOR SAN RAFAEL HOMEOWNERS ASSN. ,DAVAO CITY
Pormal nang iginawad ng SHFC Davao City Area Operations ang tseke na nagkakahalaga ng P23.5 milyon para sa takeout ng San Rafael Homeowners Association, Inc. sa Davao City Area Operations Branch Office noong Enero 11
Ang pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling bahay ng higit 260 pamilya mula Bulakan Homeowners Association, Inc (HOAI) ng Malagos, Calinan, Davao City, ay malapit ng matupad! Noong Enero 11, pinangunahan nina SHFC Southeastern Mindanao Operations Vice President Lawrence Bañiso at Davao City Area Operations Manager Margo Babao ang ang pag-awardng tsekeng may kabuuang halagang P20.3 milyon para sa takeout ng nasabing HOAI.
3. SHFC: P7.5 MILLION FOR DAPITAN CITY FISHERMEN SOCIALIZED HOUSING
Pormal nang iniabot ang tseke na nagkakahapaga ng higit P7.5 milyon para sa site development at house construction ng San Antonio Fisherfolks Homeowners Association, Inc. (HOAI) na maghahatid ng ligtas at disenteng pabahay para sa higit 125 pamilya. Ang nasabing aktibidad ay pinamunuan ng SHFC Dapitan at dinaluhan ng mga opisyal ng nasabing HOAI noong Disyembre 23.
4. SHFC: P14.5 MILLION FOR BARESSA HOMEOWNERS
Bilang paunang hakbang sa paghatid ng pabahay para sa higit 200 pamilya mula sa Baressa Homeowners Association, Inc., iniabot ng SHFC sa landowner ang tseke na may kabuuang halagang P14.5 milyon para sa acquisition ng lupaing sakop ng nasabing proyekto. Ang seremonya ay pinamunuan nina SHFC Southeastern Mindanao Operations Vice President Lawrence Bañiso at Davao City Area Operations Manager Margo Babao noong Disyembre 31.
5. DHSUD special body to boost fight vs. real estate scammers
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has created a special body tasked to craft measures to end illegal activities related to real estate property and other housing projects.
6. DEL ROSARIO: Shelter is a right of every Filipino
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday has inaugurated its first-ever regional building in Central Luzon as part of efforts to strengthen programs within the housing sector.
7. SHFC: 200 families in Davao City get P14.5 million under Community Mortgage Program (CMP) socialized housing plan
SHFC Southeastern Mindanao Operations Vice President Lawrence Bañiso and Davao City Area Operations Manager Margo Babao led the awarding on December 31, 2020 of check worth P14.5 million for socialized housing of Bamboo Homeowners Association, Inc. of Barangay Tacunan, Davao City that would benefit more than 200 families under the SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
8. IN BATTLE VS. COVID-19: SHFC REMITS P111.70 MILLION TO BUREAU OF TREASURY
SIXTY-THREE government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) have remitted a total of P160.62 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) as of December 15 this year to help fund the government’s continuing response to the Covid-19 crisis and provide economic relief to pandemic-hit businesses and individuals, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
In a firm commitment to support the national government to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and provide economic relief to the pandemic-hit businesses and individuals, SHFC has remitted P111.70 million in dividends to the Bureau of the Treasury as of December 15.
9. SHFC GIVES LIVELIHOOD AID TO COVID-19 AFFECTED FAMILIES
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency that administers socialized housing programs for low-income families, has extended financial assistance to another batch of partner-homeowners who lost their jobs or whose livelihood was affected by the COVID19 pandemic.
SHFC Program Development and Enhancement Department Vice President Atty. Maria Rosalie Richa Taguian and Insurance and Community Enhancement Division Manager Cezar Macaspac personally handed the cash assistance of P10,000 to the 27 beneficiaries in a ceremony held at the agency’s head office in Makati on December 3.
The recipients came from the agency’s various Community Mortgage Program (CMP) housing sites, including Muntinlupa, Quezon City, and Pasay.
10. DEL ROSARIO: Completion of housing road map on final dash
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday said it is now finalizing the contents of its 20-year housing and urban development strategic plan and roadmap which is set to be completed within the first quarter of this year.
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
DECEMBER 2020
1. FEATURE: Bangon Marawi and Covid-19
More than just the rehabilitation of structure, the government, through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), is determined to bring back economic activity and social recovery in Marawi City.
2. HOUSING CZAR URGES SUPPORT VS. FAKE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS
Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario called on local government units (LGUs) to integrate their efforts with the national government’s fight against illegal activities related to real estate property and other housing projects.
3. SHFC and its VAW-free communities (WITH VIDEO)
“We are advocates to end VAWC. We know our rights and we must never allow anyone to violate these. We will continuously to equip ourselves with apt training to improve the delivery of service to our partner-homeowners. Together, we will end VAW and we will look forward to having VAW-free BALAI communities.”-Insurance and Community Enhancement Division
4. SHFC ECPpay in Radyo Pilipinas Radio Interview)
5. DEL ROSARIO ORDERS CRACKDOWN VS. FAKE REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday reminded anew the public to be vigilant against bogus brokers engaged in illegal real estate transactions following the arrest of four suspected real estate scammers in Cavite
6. Housing czar eyes nearly P700-M to aid typhoon victims
The government will be needing around PHP697.6 million to help some 712,522 families hit hard by the onslaught of recent typhoons, housing czar Eduardo del Rosario said on Saturday
7. SHFC CONDUCTS SURVEY FOR CABUYAO, LAGUNA RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY A GOV’T PROJECT
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Asian Developmet Bank (ADB) conducted on November 28, 2020, a community and socio-economic survey in four barangays in Cabuyao, Laguna where a government project is to be constructed . The SHFC, the lead agency tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing program, will provide housing for about 50 families to be displaced by the project.
8. ARTA to simplify permitting process for socialized housing
In line with its National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies (NEHEMIA) Program for the Housing Sector, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is pushing for the streamlining of the permitting process for socialized housing development.
9. Valenzuela, SHFC to start social housing project in January 2021
Some 1,632 families residing in danger zones in Valenzuela City are set to be relocated as the construction of a 34-building socialized housing project will commence in January 2021, the local government announced on Friday.
The city government has earlier signed a partnership agreement with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for the families residing in the flood and fire-prone community of Laon.
Mayor Rex Gatchalian and SHFC Vice President for Special Projects, lawyer Tristan Tresvalles on Wednesday officially awarded the cheques amounting to PHP123.4 million to the six-hectare Laon landowners Rosalinda Mary Cheng Lim and Hubert Lim.
10.Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) starts full operation
Barely 10 months after we started full operations as Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), we reached another milestone with the establishment and subsequent inaugural meeting of the multi-agency National Human Settlements Board (NHSB).
We can consider NHSB as a housing “super body,” having 10 other national government agencies on board and with DHSUD at the helm. The other 10 are the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and DHSUD attached agencies, namely, Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, National Housing Authority (NHA), National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) and the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC).
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
NOVEMBER 2020
1. SHFC : 12 homeowners get livelihood financial assistance under Financial Literacy Program
Tumanggap ng livelihood financial assistance mula sa SHFC ang labing-isang (11) babae at isang (1) lalaking kwalipikadong miyembro mula sa iba’t-ibang homeowners associations sa Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 5, 6, 11, at 12 noong Nobyembre 20 matapos sumailalim sa Financial Literacy Program. Layon ng programa na matulungang maiangat muli ang pamumuhay ng mga miyembro matapos ang pinagdaanang pandemya at kalamidad.
2. SHFC VIDEO ON PBS RP1: JIMMY MANES ON QUEZON PROJECTS
RP1 Lucena Interview with SHFC
Ibinahagi ni SHFC Vice President for South Luzon Operations Jimmy Manes sa Talk of the Moment ang bagong updates ng kasalukuyan at pinaplanong proyekto ng SHFC sa lalawigan ng Quezon.
3. SHFC & LGU Polomolok MOU Signing
SHFC inks a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the local government of Polomolok to continue the drive in addressing homelessness through resilient and affordable solutions within the said municipality. The MOU is signed in a virtual ceremony by SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot and Polomolok Mayor Honey Lumayag-Matti.
4. SHFC-Provincial Government of Batangas MOU Signing
LIVE: SHFC forges partnership with the Provincial Government of Batangas through the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue safe, affordable, and livable housing in the province under the Community Mortgage Program. The MOU is signed by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Batangas Governor Dodo Mandanas, August 10, 2020
5. SHFC-LGU Arteche MOU Signing
LIVE: SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling officially inks partnership with Arteche Municipal Mayor Roland Boie Evardone to proactively support the families displaced by Typhoon Ambo through the provision of safe, affordable, and livable housing under the Community Mortgage Program. (August 11, 2020)
6. Eduardo del Rosario confirmed as HUMAN SETTLEMENTS secretary
The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on November 19, 2020, the appointment of Eduardo del Rosario as Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
7. SHFC & LGU Mariveles MOU Signing
LIVE: MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN SHFC AND LGU MARIVELES, BATAAN
8. SHFC & LGU Tubigon MOU Signing Ceremony
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that marks the start of adequate, livable, and affordable housing for underprivileged families in the Municipality of Tubigon is being signed by SHFC Operations Senior Vice President Atty. Ronaldo Saco and Mayor William Jao.
9. SHFC LIVELIHOOD FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Another good news, mga Ka-SHFC! Pagbabalik sigla ng kabuhayan para sa higit 30 miyembro mula sa iba’t-ibang homeowners associations sa Marikina, Valenzuela, at North Caloocan na nakatanggap ng Livelihood Financial Assistance mula sa ahensya. Ang nasabing programa ay pinangunahan ng Program Development and Enhancement Department at layong makatulong sa mga komunidad upang makabangon sa hirap na dulot ng pandemya.
10. SHFC NEWS: EASY TO PAY THROUGH ECPay
Good news, Ka-SHFC! Easy na lang ang pagbabayad ng monthly amortization dahil pwede mo na itong ihulog sa ECPay gamit ang Zeus SHFC Portal sa pag-generate ng reference number.
11. SHFC & LGU Roxas, Isabela MOU Signing
SHFC signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the local government unit of Roxas, Isabela to formalize collaboration in implementing resilient and sustainable housing for underprivileged communities within the said municipality. The MOU is signed by Senior Vice President for Legal, Partners, and Enforcement Group Atty. Leo Deocampo and Roxas Municipal Mayor Jonathan Jose Calderon.
12. DEL ROSARIO TAPS GROUP VS. BOGUS REAL ESTATE BROKERS
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Sec. Eduardo del Rosario on Monday appealed to real estate brokers to join the government’s fight against bogus transactions related to real estate property and other housing projects.
13. DEL ROSARIO cites environmental planners’ roles in urban dev’t, housing
Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario cited the significant role of environmental planners in pushing sustainable housing and urban development in the country. Del Rosario said the planning expertise of these environmentalists could be useful in the government’s future housing programs.
14,SHFC, Ivisan & Mambusao LGUs of Capiz meet on socialized housing programs
Mayad-ayad nga aga, Capiz! Isang pagpupulong ang isinagawa ng SHFC kasama ang mga Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Municipality of Ivisan at Mambusao upang mailahad ang bagong mga CMP Modalities na makakapaghatid ng abot-kaya at disenteng pabahay para sa mga Capiznon. Ang nasabing pagpupulong ay dinaluhan nina SHFC Roxas Manager Elmerado Viernes, Ivisan Mayor Felipe Neri Yap, at Mambusan Mayor Leodegario Labao, Jr. sa Ivisan Municipal Hall noong Oktubre 23.
15. SHFC, LGU-Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat tie up for housing partnership
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and local government of Lambayong in Sultan Kudarat signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 30 for the implementation of socialized housing initiatives under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) in the municipality. This will allow more than 8,600 families to borrow funds from the agency for land acquisition and site development.
16. SHFC, PANITAN LGU IN CAPIZ EXPLORE LOW-COST HOUSING TIE-UP
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) on October 12, briefed officials of the local government of Panitan, Capiz on the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship socialized housing program of the SHFC, the government agency tasked with providing low-cost housing to the homeless Filipinos.
The briefing held at the Panitan Municipal Hall was led by SHFC Roxas Manager Elmerado Viernes, Jr. and attended by Panitan Mayor Katherine Dequiña-Belo and other local officials.
17.SHFC OFFERS SOCIALIZED HOUSING AGREEMENTS WITH AGUSAN DEL SUR MAYORS
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and Mayor Florencio Garay of Bislig City and Mayor Symond Caguiat of Sta. Josefa municipality of Agusan del Sur are expected to formally sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) on the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship program of the SHFC that provides low-cost housing to homeless members of organized community and homeowners associations. The AgSur mayors were briefed on October 30 on the program by Merry Cris Berdin, manager of SHFC Caraga and concurrent head of SHFC Southeastern Mindanao. Also present during the briefing were Bislig City councilor Jonathan Lagonero, Sta. Josefa planning office representative Carlo quijada and SHFC Caraga coordinator Paul Bangcas.
18. SHFC & LGU GMA, Cavite MOU Signing Ceremony
LIVE: MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN SHFC AND LGU GMA, CAVITE
SHFC enters into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LGU General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite to provide affordable, adequate, and livable housing for families living in the blighted communities of the said municipality. The MOU is signed by SHFC Senior Vice President for Operations Atty. Ronaldo Saco and General Mariano Alvarez Mayor Walter Echevarria, Jr.
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
OCTOBER 2020
1. House panel okays bill on on-site relocation of informal settlers
A measure authorizing the on-site relocation of thousands of informal settlers across the country hurdled the committee level at the House of Representatives.
2. BUYERS WARNED VS. FAKE REAL ESTATE BROKERS IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Bogus real estate brokers have victimize people by illegally selling lots and housing units as well as prey on unsuspecting buyers through social media.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), said his agency is coordinating with authorities in the monitoring and arrest of the bogus brokers.
Based on the Housing and Land use Regulatory Board (HLURB) under Presidential Decree 957—no real estate broker or salesman shall engage in the business of selling subdivision lots or condominium units without being registered.
DHSUD has regulatory power over real estate developers and brokers and salespersons are obliged to register with the DHSUD before engaging in property selling.
3. Marawi City shelters on the rise
On Oct. 17, 2017, President Duterte declared the liberation of Marawi from the hands of Daesh-inspired terrorists who laid siege to our only Islamic City for five months in a failed attempt to establish a caliphate in the city.
The siege resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand terrorists, government troops and innocent civilians. Apart from the loss of precious lives, destruction to properties, both residential and commercial structures, was severe in 24 out of the 96 barangays of Marawi City. A total of 49,785 households were affected by the conflict, of which 17,793 reside in the most affected area (MAA) or the so-called “ground zero” while 28,280 were from the less affected area (LAA) and 3,712 were renters.
4. Marawi’s permanent shelters set for completion next year
The Social Housing and Financing Corporation (SHFC) vowed to immediately start the construction and site development works in Barangay Dulay Proper, where 40 lots will be available for house construction by the end of the month, and another 80 lots will be available by November this year.
5. SHFC & LGU Guiguinto, Bulacan MOU Signing
LIVE: MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN SHFC AND LGU GUIGUINTO, BULACAN SHFC Operations Senior Vice President Atty. Ronaldo Saco and Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio Cruz, Jr. sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) furthering the commitment of SHFC and the local government of Guiguinto to building affordable and livable shelters in the said municipality.
6. DRILON WANTS BIGGER BUDGET FOR GOVT HOUSING PROGRAM
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday batted for bigger budget in the proposed 2021 budget for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the lead agency implementing the government’s housing program.
At the Senate hearing on the P4.5-Trillion national budget, Drilon criticized the measly P4-Billion budget of the housing sector.
7. 250 FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM SHFC, BATANGAS HOUSING TIE-UP
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the provincial government of Batangas inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of housing projects for more than 250 families from three municipalities. SHFC President Atty Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Gov. Hermilando Mandanas signed the agreement in a virtual ceremony held on August 10.
8. SHFC, BIÑAN INK HOUSING MOU FOR 7,000 FAMILIES
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the local government of Biñan, Laguna, for the implementation of housing projects under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) that will benefit about 7,000 families from the city. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was inked by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Mayor Walfredo Dimaguila, Jr. in a virtual ceremony held on July 29.
9. BONG GO BACKS 2021 BUDGET FOR GOVT HOUSING PROGRAMS
Urges housing agencies to finish projects to improve access of poor Filipinos to affordable quality housing
Christopher “Bong” Go expresses his support for the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
In his manifestation during a Senate budget hearing on Wednesday, October 21, Go said that the proposed budget for the DHSUD and its attached agencies will be a big help for homeless and less fortunate Filipinos.
10. SHFC, EL SALVADOR, MISAMIS ORIENTAL MOU SIGNING
11. SHFC FEATURE: Virtual CMP orientation for 100 Calapan City partner-homeowners
Community Mortgage Program Orientation
Oktubre 2. Pinangunahan ng Insurance and Community Enhancement Division ang isang Community Mortgage Program Orientation para sa higit 100 partner-homeowners mula sa Jubilee Ville Calapan Homeowners Association Phases 1 and 2 ng Calapan City upang maihayag ang mga impormasyon patungkol sa mga loan programs ng ahensya.
Pinangunahan ng Program Development and Enhancement Department ang pag-abot ng livelihood financial assistance para sa 6 na kababaihan at 2 kalalakihang miyembro ng iba’t-ibang homeowners associations mula sa mga siyudad ng Valenzuela, Marikina, at Quezon ngayong araw. Ang assistance ay inaasahang makatutulong sa mga miyembrong bumangon sa hirap na dulot ng pandemya.
13. SHFC FEATURE: Webinar orientation for new mobilizers
Labinlimang bagong mobilizers mula General Santos City, Sarangani, at Pampanga ang sumailalim sa Community Mortgage Program mobilizers webinar series na pinangunahan ng Partner Relations Division mula Setyembre 28 hanggang Oktubre 01. Ang nasabing webinar series ay naglalayong makapag-abot ng kaalaman kung paano magiging epektibong kaagapay at gabay ng isang komunidad.
14. SHFC LOW-COST HOUSING LURES 800 IN SAMAL, BATAAN
San Juan Homewners Association
Isinagawa ang background investigation sa higit 800 na miyembro ng San Juan Homewners Association, Inc. (HOAI) sa Samal, Bataan noong Oktubre 7 hanggang Oktubre 9 na pinangunahan nina SHFC Pampanga Manager Prandy Vergara at Samal Mayor Aida De Guia Macalinao. Ang nasabing aktibidad ang magsisilbing paunang hakbang ng HOAI upang pormal na makasali sa Community Mortgage Program. Ang SHFC as pinangungulohan ni Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
15. LIVE: MOU SIGNING BETWEEN SHFC AND LGU CARMONA, CAVITE
SHFC and the local government of Carmona, Cavite signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build affordable and livable housing with the hope of alleviating homelessness. The MOU was signed virtually by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Cabling and Mayor Roy Loyola on October 19.
16. SHFC turns over housing units to 200 Lucena City families
Mother of Eucharist Homeowners’ Association
A total of 236 families previously living in danger zones in Lucena City, Quezon Province officially moved into their own safe and decent homes on September 15, a very timely development amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was after the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) turned over the housing units to the members of Mother of Eucharist Homeowners’ Association, a local government unit-led project under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
17. SHFC FEATURE: P9.98-M FOR 110 BACOLOD HOMELESS FAMILIES
Officials of Country Ville Homeowners Association, Inc. on September 7, 2020, receive a check worth P9.98 million from the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Bacolod Branch for the socialized housing project for some 110 families in Barangay Mansiligan.
18. MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN SHFC AND LGU SANTO TOMAS, PAMPANGA
SHFC signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the local government of Santo Tomas, Pampanga to formalize a collaborative effort in implementing the Community Mortgage Program within the said municipality. The MOU was signed on Otober 16, 2020 by SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot and Mayor Gloria Ronquillo.
19. OCTOBER IS NATIONAL SHELTER MONTH
DHSUD scales up web, info drive on housing programs The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will roll out a series of activities, including an extensive information drive on various housing programs, in line with the observance of the national shelter month.
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2020
1. SHFC housing loan beneficiaries get Livelihood Financial Assistance (VIDEO)
2. SHFC FEATURE: BAYANIHAN HOAI EXEMPLIFIES COMMUNITY SPIRIT DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
As the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Bayanihan Homeowners Association, Inc. (HOAI), a community in Salinas I, Bacoor, Cavite, aptly embodied the essence of the famous Filipino trait of communal unity. Showing collaborative effort, the officers took the lead in devising preventive measures against the disease while members demonstrated enhanced cooperation to implement the strategies successfully.
3. SHFC FEATURE: SOLIDARITY OUTSHINES PANDEMIC: THE BRAVE FRONTLINERS OF CENTENNIAL 1-B HOAI
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to our lives, with the wearing of masks and social distancing becoming the new norm. As most economic activities grounded to a halt due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the majority started to feel the difference.
4. SHFC FEATURE: UNITY, PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP KEYS TO STAYING COVID-FREE
San Isidro Labrador Homeowners’ Association, Inc. (HOAI), a community in Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque, took the adage “it takes a village” to the next level, combining unity and effective leadership in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. These traits have been working wonders for the 34-member association as it has zero positive cases reported despite the high number of infections in the city.
5. SHFC-TACURONG CITY SIGNING CEREMONY
6. CABLING BACKS DEL ROSARIO CALL FOR BIGGER BUDGET FOR HOUSING
TARGET: 1.4 million housing units for the informal settler families from 2017 to 2022
The head of the government agency implementing the state’s socialized housing program is strongly backing the call of housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario for a bigger budget for housing for the millions of homeless Filipinos.
Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, President of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), expressed the support as Del Rosario, Chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), moaned that his department’s meager budget for 2021 would badly affect its housing programs especially for the millions of homeless and less privileged Filipinos.
7. NORCOT GOV. CATAMCO WELCOMES SHFC SATELLITE OFFICE IN KIDAPAWAN
TO BOOST LOCAL SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROGRAM
North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco backed a proposal by state-owned Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to build a satellite office in her province that would speed up delivery of low-cost housing to the homeless, poorest of the poor.
8. Biñan City Mayor Dimaguila vows all-out support for SHFC housing project
The Covid-19 pandemic should not stop us from providing housing to our constituents.
Thus said Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila Jr who vowed all-out support for the SHFC housing program after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government agency implementing the country’s socialized housing program.
9. 250 families to benefit from SHFC, Batangas housing tie-up
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the provincial government of Batangas inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the implementation of housing projects for more than 250 families from three municipalities.
10. SHFC BUILDING 1,500 PERMANENT HOUSES FOR MARAWI SIEGE VICTIMS
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is constructing 1,500 housing units in Marawi City as the government prioritizes building of permanent housing units to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who lost their houses during the 2017 siege of the Philippines’ Muslim city by terrorist groups.
1 -DESPITE COVID-19, SHFC HOPING HIGH COLLECTION PERFORMANCE FOR 2020
By ROGER M. BALANZA
Innovative collection strategies, continuing partner ship with local government units and expanded modalities for housing projects and sectors for housing loan financing are critical and added factors that were expected to ensure the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to meet its collection targets despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
SHFC’s collections reached P1.11 billion in 2019, up 8 percent from the year prior. The agency’s current collection efficiency rating of 72.03 percent is significantly higher than the 69.05 percent it posted in 2018. These achievements can be attributed to the decentralized approach of SHFC, which saw the opening of several branches nationwide, and to its strategy of working closely with local governments.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency mandated to undertake socialized housing for low-income earners, is celebrating its 16th anniversary by launching new schemes that will help more poor families realize their dreams of owning a home.
The Community Mortgage Program (CMP), SHFC’s flagship program, has benefited more than 350,000 families through over P16 billion in loan assistance since its inception in 1988. In 2019 alone, the agency recorded the highest takeout ever by assisting a total of 32,797 partner-homeowners through housing loans amounting to P2.48 billion. This number of partner-homeowners is twice that of the previous year and nearly thrice that of 2017.
Meanwhile, SHFC’s collections reached P1.11 billion in 2019, up 8 percent from the year prior. The agency’s current collection efficiency rating of 72.03 percent is significantly higher than the 69.05 percent it posted in 2018. These achievements can be attributed to the decentralized approach of SHFC, which saw the opening of several branches nationwide, and to its strategy of working closely with local governments.
This year, SHFC expects to assist more low-income families own their homes because starting January, the agency is adopting reduced or socialized interest rates for full package availment of loans under the CMP. A full package consists of a loan for lot acquisition, site development, and house construction. The socialized rates will ease the constraints that low-income CMP borrowers face when paying their monthly amortization.
Under the socialized approach, borrowers with lower household income will pay lower interest rates. Thus, households within the lowest two income deciles – including those with incomes below the poverty threshold based on the results of the latest Family Income and Expenditure Survey – will pay an interest rate of only 2 percent. This new rate is a huge reduction from the original 6 percent. It is also the lowest ever in the history of housing finance in the country. In addition, the repayment term is extended to 35 years from the original 25 years in order to further ease the burden on the lowest-income borrowers, who comprise the majority of CMP availers.
Families in the 3rd decile pay an interest rate of 4 percent, while those in the 4th to 7th decile pay 4.5 percent. Families in the 8th to 10th decile, or those who have the highest capacity to pay, will continue to be charged at the original rate of 6 percent. They will all have a repayment term of 30 years.
For those who have already availed of loans but are falling behind on their payments, SHFC also seeks to alleviate their burden and get them on track to their dreams by offering the penalty condonation program under Republic Act 9507. The loan restructuring scheme covers partner-homeowners with accumulated arrearages equivalent to at least three months amortizations, except those who have previously availed of the benefits.
This loan relief initiative will give economically depressed partner-homeowners an opportunity to easily update their accounts because they will no longer have to pay the accumulated penalties and surcharges incurred from unpaid amortization. As a result, they will be able to save their homes.
“This is our gift to our low-income clients on the occasion of our anniversary,” said SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, who urged CMP partner-homeowners to avail of this last chance to restructure their loans; otherwise, they will face a collection suit or foreclosure. “Thus, we are hoping that partner-homeowners will immediately file their applications before the program ends in 2021.”
To keep pace with the growing demand for safe, resilient, and sustainable housing, SHFC is introducing trailblazing financing programs with the launch of 12 CMP modalities. These include Housing for Peace Process & Nation Building, which is currently being implemented in Zamboanga City and Marawi City, and Post-Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation, which is offered for families affected by disasters such as those rendered homeless by Typhoons Yolanda and Sendong.
Other CMP modalities are On-Site and Site Upgrading/Development, Special/National Government Agency Projects, Local Government Unit, Sectoral, Farm Lot, Industrial Workers, Culturally Sensitive/Indigenous People, Vertical, Mixed-Use/Township, and Turnkey/Public and Private Partnership.
The public can expect efficient implementation of SHFC’s programs because it has been recertified as conforming to ISO 9001:2015 standards by SOCOTEC Certification International. The certification was issued on December 19, 2019, affirming yet again SHFC’s conformity to international quality standards in its core processes and its Quality Management System. SHFC has been ISO-certified since 2016.
2 -HOUSING PROJECT FOR 1,000 FAMILIES TO RISE IN JONES, ISABELA
More than 1,000 families are poised to benefit from a housing project jointly implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation and the municipal government of Jones.
The project, which will be funded through the SHFC’s flagship initiative, the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), is a product of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot and Mayor Leticia Sebastian in a video conference held on July 9. Under the deal, SHFC will finance the lot acquisition, site development, and house construction of the Jones Isabela CMP Homeowners Association Inc., which is composed of 1,166 families from Barangays Payac and San Isidro. Most of the beneficiaries are market vendors, health personnel, teachers, government employees, and overseas Filipino workers.
3 -HOUSING CZAR ED DEL ROSARIO ON SHFC CMP ANNIVERSARY
For more than three decades, the CMP has been key program in the realization of every Filipino family’s dream of having a house of their own.Last year, with the introduction of 12 new modalities, more families stand to benefit from this innovative, responsive and generous housing program, especially the poor, the underprivileged, and victims of calamities and internal conflicts
.Indeed, the CMP is a huge boost for the government in carrying out its mandate of providing sustainable, resilient, safe, and affordable homes for all Filipinos.
The Department is proud to have SHFC as a shelter agency in empowering the housing sector. The CMP serves as a shining beacon to our kababayans even during this time where the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is felt by all sectors. Again, our sincerest and heart-felt congratulations!”
Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)
4 – SHFC FEATURE: WHAT THEY SAY about the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) (PHOTO/VIDEO NEWS)
5 – VIRTUAL SIGNING: SHFC and Echague, Isabela Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on CMP socialized housing
LIVE: SHFC and the local government of Echague, Isabela signed on August 25, 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue a collaboration in implementing the Community Mortgage Program to uplift the living conditions of underprivileged communities in the said municipality. The MOU is inked by SHFC Operations Senior Vice President Atty. Ronaldo Saco and Echague Mayor Francis Faustino “Kiko” Dy.
6 – SHFC: 15,000 homeless families to get housing under virtual MOA signing with LGUs
COVID-19 has not stopped the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) from pursuing its mandate to provide socialized housing to low-income homeless Pinoys. To date it has signed in virtual mode, in compliance with health protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) versus Covid-19, nine (9) Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with partner Local Government Units (LGUs) that would provide socialized housing units to 15,000 families under the SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP) that extends low-interest, long-term housing loans to members of organized homeowners/community associations.
7 – SHFC GROUNDBREAKING: Socialized housing for 1,000 families of San Antonio, Quezon
Groundbreaking Ceremony for socialized housing funded by the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) of the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) for more than 1,000 families of San Antonio Ville Homeowners Association, Inc. of San Antonio, Quezon on August 22, 2020, attended by SHFC Operations Senior Vice President Atty. Ronaldo Saco, SHFC Vice President for South Luzon Operations Jimmy Manes, San Antonio Municipal Mayor Hon. Erick Wagan, and San Antonio Municipal Vice Mayor Jay Vesliño.
8 – SHFC MAPS OUT STRATEGIES AMID COVID-19 WOES
As the immobilizing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic takes a heavy toll on capability of government agencies to implement programs and projects, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Advisory Council held a 5-day planning session to map out plans and strategies to achieve its performance targets for year 2020.
With face-to-face gatherings outlawed by mandated health protocols to avoid spread of the coronavirus disease, the planning session was conducted in virtual mode on August 2-7, 2020 by members of the Advisory Council.
Like other government agencies hobbled by COVID-19 in delivering services, SHFC , tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing program, has to develop innovative strategies so as not to hamper its mission to deliver housing to the country’s homeless poor.
On top of the Advisory Council virtual planning session were the agency’s projected delivery of housing units for 60,000 families and collection target of P900 Million for 2020.
Done ahead of the 32nd anniversary on August 19 of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), SHFC’s flagship program that provides long-term, low-interest housing loans to organized community/homeowners associations, the planning session also tackled continuing initiatives to push signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the country’s Local Government Unit (LGUs) that calls for partnership and funding assistance in the implementation of the socialized housing programs of the LGUs.
To date, SHFC has signed MOUs/MOAs, in virtual settings, with more than a dozen LGUs.
9 – SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP) marks 32nd anniversary
CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) which assists legally organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership. The primary objective of the program is to assist residents of blighted or depressed areas to own the lots they occupy, or where they choose to relocate to, and eventually create sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with the local government units. CMP shall be implemented in various Flexible, Affordable, Innovative, and Responsive (FAIR) shelter .
10 – SHFC-CdeO Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
Bilang pagpapatibay sa layuning makapaghatid ng ligtas at disenteng pabahay para sa 1,900 pamilyang naapektuhan ng Bagyong Sendong, isinagawa ang Deed of Donation and Acceptance and Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony noong August 6 sa pagitan ng SHFC, Cagayan de Oro City Philippines, at Arkidiyosesis ng Cagayan de Oro. Kung saan, ang nasabing mga kasunduan ay nilagdaan nina SHFC Vice President for Northwestern Mindanao Eng. Felman Gilbang, Cagayan de Oro City MayorOscar S. Moreno, at Archbishop Tony Ledesma.
11 – SHFC, Cauayan tie up to build homes for 600 families
BOUT 600 families from Cauayan, Isabela will soon have a place they can call their home with the implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship housing initiative of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), in the city.
This came after SHFC Senior Vice President for Operations Ronaldo Saco and Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a virtual ceremony held on July 27.
1 – ESCAPING COVID-19: Valencia City Mayor Huervas , SHFC prexy Cabling go virtual in socialized housing MOU signing
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
The Covid-19 pandemic cannot stop us from helping secure shelter for the underprivileged and homeless citizens of our country, said Mayor Azucena Huervas of Valencia City Bukidnon, in her dramatic speech at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between her city and the state-owned Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) on Monday, July 20, 2020.
The MOU opens the door for low-income, homeless residents of Valencia City to secure housing loans from the SHFC.
With potential infection from the deadly coronavirus making physical social gatherings a big no-no, Mayor Huervas and SHFC president Arnolfo Cabling went virtual in the signing ceremony.
2 – SHFC, DAET sign MOU on socialized housing
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency that administers socialized housing initiatives for low-income families, has added Daet, Camarines Norte to its growing list of local government partners with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) in the municipality.
SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Mayor Benito Ochoa inked the deal on July 1 in a video conference facilitated by the Partner Relations Division and the Strategic Communications Division. Witnessing the event were SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, Legal, Partners, Policy Enforcement Group Senior Vice President Atty. Leo Deocampo, South Luzon Operations Vice President Lito Manes, Jr., and Daet Municipal Planning and Development Head Arch. Emily Palomiano.
Attesting to the agency’s dedication to its mandate despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual ceremony was the second of its kind for SHFC. On June 18, it signed a similar agreement virtually with the local government of Taysan, Batangas.
3 Housing project for 1,000 families to rise in Isabela town
More than 1,000 families from a town in Isabela province are poised to benefit from a housing project jointly implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the municipal government of Jones.
The project, which will be funded through the former’s flagship initiative, the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), is a product of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot and Mayor Leticia Sebastian in a video conference held on July 9.
4 – DEL ROSARIO: No more Marawi siege under Anti-Terrorism Law
BY ROGER M. BALANZA
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has armed the government with the necessary fire power to crush terrorism.
“With this new law, our government is now better equipped to defeat these terrorists,”Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario said Monday, citing the five-month-long siege laid by local terrorists backed by ISIS or the Daesh.
Daesh is another name for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Middle East-based terror group considered as the most violent international terrorist organization today. ISIS backed local terrorist groups in the siege of the city of Marawi, the Muslim capital city of the country located in the south Philippine island of Mindanao, that killed hundreds of soldiers, policemen and civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands of resident.
Juggling responsibilities as a mother, wife, and an officer of an organization can be very taxing. The many varied social expectations coming from all directions can take its toll. But Ningning Salcedo, an OFW’s wife who is single-handedly raising two daughters, is able to manage them all.
Along with 167 other families, Ningning used to live in a community in the highlands of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, without land title, access to water, and electricity. Moreover, the lack of decent road networks made it difficult for them to move around. “Talagang sa una, napakahirap kasi ang darning kulang. Bundok kasi siya at bukirin. Hindi mo iisipin na dito ka titira,” she explained as she looked back at their previous situation.
2 – SHFC FEATURE: LONG DREAM COME TRUE FOR PWD
Feliciano dela Cruz, Jr., a person with disability, embodies perseverance. Having poured his energy, time, and resources to do whatever it took to secure his own piece of land, the 66-year-old member of Bagong Silang Homeowners Association felt rejuvenated when he finally got hold of his transfer certificate of title (TCT) on the morning of January 26. “Swerte na talaga ako nito, kasi hawak ko na ‘yung titulo ng lupa ko,” he said.
Even though he had difficulty walking, Feliciano mustered the strength to climb the stage and participate in the title awarding ceremony, which he considered as one of the most memorable moments in his life. “Hindi nga ako nakatulog eh. Gising na ako ng alas-tres ng umaga. Pero nagsimba muna ako. Pinagdasal ko na sana totoo na talaga ito. Kahit na nahihirapan akong maglakad pipilitin ko,” said the senior citizen, who drew loud cheers and thunderous applause when he received his TCT. “Excited ako kasi malaking regalo na ito para sa akin.”
Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay isinagawa ang isang virtual Community Mortgage Program orientation para sa La Consolacion Mining Homeowners Association, Inc. noong June 16. Sa pangunguna ni Insurance and Community Enhancement Division Manager Cezar Macaspac, ang aktibidad ay dinaluhan ng 15 opisyal ng asosasyon at limang kinatawan mula sa mobilizer nito, ang Sambahayan Initiatives Inc.
4 – SHFC SURVEY: Livelihood Assistance for housing loan beneficiaries
Ang Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) ay may programang LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE para sa mga kwalipikadong miyembro-benepisyaryo (o sa mga lubos na nangangailangan) ng Community Mortgage Program. Upang ganap na makatugon sa pangangailangan ng aming mga miyembro-benepisyaryo sa panahong ng pandemya (COVID-19), mahalaga sa aming makakalap ng mga datos upang pag-aralan kung paano makatutugon ang SHFC sa mga apektadong miyembro-benepisyaryo.
5 – SHFC, Batangas mayor sign virtual housing MOU for informal settlers
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency that administers socialized housing programs for low-income families, forged a partnership with the local government of Taysan, Batangas, for the implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) in the municipality.
Adapting to the new normal as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Mayor Grande Gutierrez signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a videoconference on June 18 spearheaded by the Partner Relations Division and the Strategic Communications Division.
Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has approved about P20 million in loan for the resettlement of more than 200 families previously living in shanties along a river in Davao City as the agency continues to uphold its mandate to administer socialized housing programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The provision of adequate housing is especially timely, given that viruses spread fast in congested informal settlements. The approval was made after SHFC announced that it is suspending some of its ancillary activities for the year worth P21 million to help the government fund its programs to contain the pandemic.
“SHFC is embracing the new normal. This virus crisis will not prevent us in delivering services to the homeless and underprivileged Filipinos,” SHFC South Eastern Mindanao OIC-Vice President Lawrence Bañiso said. “The approval of this project is a testament to our commitment.”
The loan will be used for the acquisition and development of around three hectares of land in Barangay Talomo River in Calinan District for the Green Hills Homeowners Association. It is financed under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), wherein low-income families can borrow as a community to buy the land they occupy or would like to relocate to.
Raquel Branzuela, the association’s president, welcomed the timely approval of their loan as it gave them comfort despite the virus crisis. “Nagagalak kami dahil magkakaroon na kami ng sariling bahay at lupa na matagal na naming pinapangarap,” she said. “Dahil sa SHFC, hindi na kami squatter.”
7 – SHFC REALIGNS P21 MILLION FOR PH COVID-19 FIGHT
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency that administers socialized housing programs for low-income families, is suspending some of its planned ancillary activities and events for the year worth more than P21 million to free up funds to help in the government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the spending cuts, the agency will proceed with the provision of adequate housing in clean neighborhoods as it has become even more crucial at this time as a long-term strategy to fight the spread of the virus.
The belt-tightening, which includes cancellation of employee and stakeholder engagement events, complies with the directives of the Department of Budget and Management to defer non-essential spending and realign the budget of respective government agencies to respond to the crisis. The austerity measures were announced during SHFC’s Board Meeting presided by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on April 28 in Quezon City.
8 – SHFC CLIENTS GET LOAN REPRIEVE AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency mandated to undertake socialized housing for low-income earners, is implementing a three-month moratorium on the payment of loan amortization of its partner-homeowners from March 16, 2020 to June 16, 2020. This is SHFC’s answer to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to exhaust all efforts to respond to the needs of Filipinos amid the threat of COVID-19 in the country
Aside from the payment extension, no penalties will be charged to accounts whose due dates fall within the period. The loan reprieve was pursuant to the advisory released by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) after President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Luzon region under enhanced community quarantine. SHFC is one of the key shelter agencies under DHSUD.
Partner-homeowners who wish to pay their loan amortization on time can do so in select branches of Land Bank of the Philippines across the nation. As citizens are encouraged not to go outside to avoid contracting the virus, clients can generate their statements of accounts and abstract of collection through the SHFC Portal.
SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling said the agency is one with the entire country in these difficult times. “We want to ease the financial burden of our stakeholders as we face this challenge,” he said.
Meanwhile, SHFC Senior Vice President for Operations Atty. Leo Deocampo said that the moratorium will allow partner-homeowners to focus on meeting their basic needs and security.
SHFC is the lead agency assisting underprivileged communities to secure land tenure through shelter financing and development solutions by Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino communities.
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Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of MAY 2020 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS posted in the website DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com)
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6 LICENSED ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERS CRAFTING SHFC URBAN HOUSING PROGRAM
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has a loaded bench of licensed environmental planners mapping up strategies and programs of the agency’s urban housing to ensure delivery of affordable shelter to the homeless poor in the urban centers.
SHFC, the government agency implementing the country’s socialized housing program, now has a total of six licensed environmental planners, including Vice President for Engineering Engr. Elsa Calimlim and OIC-Manager for Central Luzon Operations Engr. John Lee.
Also now in the roster of the SHFC environmental planners are Executive Vice President Atty. Jenefe Payot, OIC-Vice President for Special Projects Atty. Tristan Frederick Tresvalles and Account Specialists Mr. Junard Amba and Mr.Milkyzedeck Bien, who all passed the environmental planners licensure exam in June last year.
To update themselves on the latest laws, issuances, best practices and planning trends in the profession, SHFC environmental planners attended the 28th National Convention of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) held on November 7 to 9 last year at the Philippine Convention Center in Pasay.
Under the Environmental Planning Act of 2013 ( Republic Act No. 10587), environmental planning is equivalent to urban and regional planning, city planning and human settlements planning .
Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and chairperson of the SHFC Board was the convention’s keynote speaker.
He discussed the crucial role that DHSUD will play in the management of urbanization so that the country can reap urbanization benefits that would help in forging smart, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, one of the main goals of urban or environmental planning.
According to Atty. Payot, who placed third in the June 2019 board exams for environmental planners, the three-day convention helped him in understanding the challenges of urbanization in the Philippines, particularly the central role of affordable housing to ensure inclusive urban development.
“From a social justice or rights discourse view, we need to ensure that everyone has access to adequate housing. By adequate, we mean housing that gives families—especially low-income earners — access to socio-economic as well as cultural and educational opportunities that are concentrated in our cities,” he explained.
Atty. Payot expressed confidence that shelter agencies like DHSUD and SHFC are now prepared for the important roles that they will play in urban development given the growing number of environmental or urban planners among their personnel, including those at the highest levels such as Assistant Secretary Melissa Aradanas and Directors Myles Rivera and Jeanette Cruz of the DHSUD.
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PARALEGALS BACK UP SHFC HOUSING PROGRAMS
44 NEW GRADUATES BEEF UP SHFC PARALEGAL BENCH
SHFC, in partnership with the UP Law Center (UPLC), designed a paralegal training programs that produces 44 new paralegals in a two-part session conducted on October 7 to 11 and October 21 to 25 last year at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
Aimed at giving participants a fundamental legal knowledge focused on better understanding and appreciation of laws and legal procedures specially as they relate to housing, the training was facilitated by justice Raul Villanueva, Justice Oswaldo Agcaoili, and Agranian Reform Usec Luis Pagulayan. The course tested the students’ legal competency through short quizzes, preparation of case summaries, and graded group workshops.
UP:C paralegal Director Atty. Elizabeth Pulumbarot praised SHFC for recording a passing rate of 100 percent, the highest ever since the start of UP paralegal training in 2013
The top scorers-joseph Eisma and James Naquita (Pop Quiz 1), Will Peran (Pop quiz 2), and Engr. Elsa Juliana Calimlim ( Pop Quiz 3) – were recognizing on graduation day in October 25. Also awarded as best speakers in the group presentations were Eisma Naquita, Junard Amba, Philip Robert Flores, Florencio Carandang, Jr., Janet Lumayag, and Engr. Randolph Libranon.
Human resources OIC-Vice President Jessica Caraso, Who was elected as class president, was pleased with what they have acheived. “I am really proud of the accomplishment. I’ve never seen everybody worked that hard,” she said “We are now empowered paralegals.”
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DEL ROSARIO WANTS TYPHOON, EARTHQUAKE RESISTANT HOUSING FOR HOMELESS PINOYS
By ROGER M. BALANZA
The Philippines’ housing czar wants no less than strong and resilient houses that can withstand typhoons and earthquakes for the country’s homeless poor as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte vigorously pursues its socialized housing program.
SOCIALIZED HOUSING. Atty. Junefe Payot, SHFC executive vice president (right), Housing Czar Eduardo del Rosario and SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling (right), at the founding anniversary of the Social Housing Finance Corporation
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said recent calamities have placed people’s lives in danger due to poor housing that are helpless against typhoons and earthquakes.
“With the advent of calamities like the earthquake in Batanes and just recently in Mindanao where around 30,000 families were affected…there is need to focus on the importance of comprehensive plans to avoid or lessen the adverse impact to lives and properties from numerous typhoons, flash floods and landslides, among others,” said Del Rosario in his keynote speech at the 28th National Convention of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) held on November 7 to 9 at the Philippine Convention Center in Pasay. The convention aimed at updating the participants on the latest laws, issuances, best practices, and planning trends in the profession.
“DHSUD will push for the construction of socialized housing units that can withstand 250kph winds and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, ” Del Rosario vowed.
The government’s socialized housing program is implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), a key shelter agency under the DHSUD, headed by its president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
In his speech, Del Rosario said that environmental planners and the PIEP “are indispensable in the overall strategy that DHSUD envisions.”
Del Rosario also discussed the crucial role that DHSUD will play in the management of urbanization so that the country can reap urbanization benefits that would help in forging smart, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, one of the main goals of urban or environmental planning.
SHFC has strengthened its roster of environmental planners and has a loaded bench of six licensed environmental planners mapping up strategies and programs of the agency’s urban housing to ensure delivery of affordable shelter to the homeless poor in the urban centers.
The SHFC sent its environmental planners to attend the conventions, among them SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Jenefe Payot, OIC-Vice President for Special Projects Atty. Tristan Frederick Tresvalles, and Account Specialists Mr. Junard Amba and Mr. Milkyzedeck Bien, who all passed the environmental planners licensure exam in June. The agency now has a total of six licensed environmental planners, including Vice President for Engineering Engr. Elsa Calimlim and OIC-Manager for Central Luzon Operations Engr. John Lee.
According to Atty. Payot, who placed third in the June 2019 board exams for environmental planners, the three-day convention helped him in understanding the challenges of urbanization in the Philippines, particularly the central role of affordable housing to ensure inclusive urban development.
“From a social justice or rights discourse view, we need to ensure that everyone has access to adequate housing. By adequate, we mean housing that gives families—especially low-income earners — access to socio-economic as well as cultural and educational opportunities that are concentrated in our cities,” he explained.
Atty. Payot expressed confidence that shelter agencies like DHSUD and SHFC are now prepared for the important roles that they will play in urban development given the growing number of environmental or urban planners among their personnel, including those at the highest levels such as Assistant Secretary Melissa Aradanas and Directors Myles Rivera and Jeanette Cruz of the DHSUD.
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SHFC IS ISO-CERTIFIED
Accredited ISO-certifying body SOCOTEC Registrars Philippines, Inc. (Formerly AJA Registrars. Inc.) has recommended the re-certification of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) ISO9001:2015 standards after successfully completing its audit of the agency’s head office in 2019.
The SHFC, headed by its President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, is the agency implementing the government’s social housing program. Based in Makati City,. SHFC is one of key housing agencies of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) chaired by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario.
SHFC first received certification for ISO 9001:2008 in 2006, with a record-breaking feat of only less than six months preparatory work. It transitioned to the 2015 version two years after.
The SOCOTEC audit was conducted to assess SHFC’s conformity to international quality standards in its core processes and its Quality Management System (QMS), following the issuance of its 9001:2015 certification in 2018.
SHFC’s ISO Core team headed by its Quality Management Representative (QMR Ernesto Leynes, vice president of the Treasury Department, together with managers and select personnel trained in ISO 9001:2015 standards and internal quality audit, ensured cooperation among all head office employees in the audit process.
In its audit report, SOCOTEC commended the corporation’s organized documentation and well-maintained facilities. It also lauded the Procurement Division and the Loan Administration Operations for their excellent record keeping as well as the staff’s deep familiarity with SHFC’s operational processes.
Only two minor non-conformities (NC), one observation, and eight opportunities for improvement (OFIs) were cited. SHFC is required to submit their corrective action on the NCs within 30 days after the audit.
During the audit’s closing meeting Deputy QMR and Planning and Policy OIC-Vice President Florencio Carandang, Jr. welcomed these findings and saw them as a challenge to SHFC. “It’s good ( to be reminded of these lapses ) to emphasize the need of the management to address them, ” he said.
The recommendation coincided with the last day in office of Leynes, who retired after 13 years of service in SHFC. “With all sincerity, I would like to thank everyone at the corporation who I have worked with,” said Leynes, who is considered as one of the pillars of the agency.
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PAYOT: Adequate housing is a right
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Executive VIce President Atty. Junefe said that adequate housing is a right that should be available to all homeless Filipinos.
The government responds to give the needed muscle to this right through the SHFC which implements socialized housing programs that ensure the formation of inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements for the homeless poor, said Atty. Payo
SHFC, headed by its president, Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, implements the government’s social housing program. It is one of the key shelter agencies under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) headed by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario.
Atty. Payot said that housing should be at the center of any development because it impacts on economic development, employment generation, poverty reduction, and climate change adaptation.
The SHFC officer made this point in his speech at a forum dubbed “Slum Upgraded: An Opportunity Towards The Success Of The Sustainable Development Goals.”
The forum that also featured UN-Habitat Philippine Country Manager Chrostopher Rollo and HLURB Housing and Homesite Regulation Officer Emma Ulep, was part of the Tahanan Summit series, a joint initiative of UN_habitat, Technical Assistance movement for people and Environment, Inc., Global Land Tool Network, and Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc.
In the forum held in October 18 last year at the College of Architecture of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, Atty. Payot discussed homelessness in the country and how SHFC contributes to the achievement of developing sustainable cities and communities. The SHFC implements its social housing program through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) that grants long-term, low-interest housing loans to the homeless through their organized homeowners associations.
“For the longest time, we have been providing housing support through CMP. We make sure that projects are affordable to the communities through highly subsidized rates and long payment terms,” Atty. Payot said.
Atty. Payot adds that on top if its flexibility and affordability, the CMP provides additional assistance for families who are unable to afford the mortgage. “Usually their is around 20 to 30 percent in a community who cannot afford our program.”
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DBM OKAYS P155-M FOR SHFC MARAWI REHAB SOCIAL HOUSING
Approves P3.56-B 2020 budget to rebuild Marawi
The Department of Budget (DBM) has approved a PHP155.7 million fund for the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) for the key shelter agency’s shelter program for Marawi City residents who lost their homes in the terrorist attack on the country’s Muslim city in 2017.
The fund is embedded in the 2020 budget approved by DBM for the Marawi rehabilitation project amounting to PH3.56-billion, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) chairperson del Rosario said on Thursday, May 22.
SHFC, headed by its president Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, is the agency implementing the government’s socialized housing program for the country’s low-income, homeless poor and those displaced by calamities and living in risk areas.
SFHC is one of key housing agencies under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSID) which is also chaired by del Rosario.
Del Rosario said the DBM has also provided Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) to the task force’s implementing agencies.
“This serves as a huge boost for implementing agencies as they now have the funds needed to complete their respective projects aimed at rebuilding Marawi following the May 2017 siege perpetrated by the Maute terrorist group,” he said in a statement.
The various implementing agencies under the TFBM, he said, can now focus on their timelines and carry out measures to hasten their projects intended for the rehabilitation of Marawi.
The PHP155.7 million fund, he said, is allocated for the Marawi Permanent Shelter Program of the SHFC.
A fund of PHP1.91 billion will be given to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the continuation of the temporary and permanent housing programs in Marawi City.
The Marawi City government, del Rosario added, will receive PHP558.2 million to spearhead the construction of several public facilities and infrastructures inside the most affected area (MAA) or the ground zero.
These include the Marawi Museum, the Grand Padian Central Market, and the construction of health center and madrasah each for the 24 barangays inside the MAA.
The TFBM has allocated PHP91.3 million for improving the productivity of farmers and fisherfolks in the war-torn city, he said.
Through the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Agricultural Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, del Rosario said Marawi farmers and fisherfolk will be provided of agricultural services from the regional government — which include Islamic Microfinance, dispersal of livestock poultries, the establishment of multiplier farms such as goat and native chicken as well as providing market posts for the farmers and fisherfolk.
The TFBM has allocated PHP766.5 million to the Local Water Utilities Administration (LUWA) to ensure potable water supply inside the MAA.
“The Department of Public Works and Highways had been earmarked PHP80.2 million intended for road repair and reconstruction works in Marawi, while the Department of Education had been allocated PHP3.3 million for the distribution of learning kits,” he said.
The task force has also allocated a budget amounting to PHP20.9 million, he said, for the construction of a 1,500-linear-meter fence across the Mindanao State University, “which can further protect students against potential security threats.”
“PHP48.5 million for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, through the Philippine National Police, (is) intended for the construction of a tourist police building and a maritime building in Marawi,” he said.
The construction works and other infrastructure projects, he said, will resume by July 2020.
Del Rosario said the TFBM and its member agencies “are prepared to exhaust all means in meeting their respective timelines for project completion” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The TFBM was created under the administrative order No. 3 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017, to ensure collaboration and convergence among national agencies and the local government units. TFBM facilitates the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Marawi.
It also seeks to help displaced families to recover from the tragedy brought by the Marawi siege in May 2017. (With PNA report)
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The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is issuing a Handbook laying down rules and regulations in a bid to make transactions with the key housing agency graft and corruption-free.
The Handbook also stipulates procedures on applications for business permits and other requirements to make approval of business applications faster and transparent.
The SHFC fully supports the Government’s campaign to eradicate red tape and corruption especially that its mission as a key government housing agency is to undertake socialized housing programs for low- income, homeless Filipinos who are the most vulnerable sector in our society, said SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling , in the Foreword of the Handbook.
SHFC is issuing the Handbook, as the Ease of Doing Business and Anti-Red Tape Advisory Council, the policy and advisory body of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), is working to improve the country’s competitiveness rankings in time for the submission of its 2021 Doing Business report to the World Bank.
Doing Business, according to the World Bank, measures regulations across 190 economies in 12 business regulatory areas to assess the business environment in each economy. The Philippines jumped 29 notches in the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Report ranking 95th from its previous 124th rank. READ MORE
According to Cabling, the Handbook is SHFC’s contribution to the campaign launched by President Rodrigo Duterte against graft and corruption.
The Handbook is in support of Republic Act No. 9485 or the “Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007” that promotes integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property, and establishes effective practices to prevent graft and corruption in government, said Cabling.
The Handbook, adds Cabling in his Foreword of the book, also supports Republic Act No. 11032, known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” that promotes ease in doing business through simple and improved systems and procedures of both national and local government agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporation
SHFC HANDBOOK VS. GRAFT, CORRUPTION; DOING BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES
FOREWORD
This Handbook stipulates rules and regulations covering officers and employees of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) in transactions with the public in line with the Government’s policy aimed at preventing and reducing bureaucratic red tape and graft and corruption; and facilitating ease of doing business through simplified procedures.
The SHFC fully supports the Government’s campaign to eradicate red tape and corruption especially that its mission as a key government housing agency is to undertake socialized housing programs for low- income, homeless Filipinos who are the most vulnerable sector in our society.
The Handbook is in support of Republic Act No. 9485 or the “Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007” that promotes integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property, and establishes effective practices to prevent graft and corruption in government.
Likewise, this Handbook supports Republic Act No. 11032, known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” that promotes ease in doing business through simple and improved systems and procedures of both national and local government agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporations.
In compliance to RA 9485 and RA 11032, the SHFC Handbook lays down rules and regulations that require honesty, transparency and responsibility among its officials and employees; and adopts measures promoting transparency in transacting with the public, through simplified procedures aimed at expediting transactions on issuance of business permits, clearances and other requirements to eradicate reduce red tape and corruption.
The Government campaign against bureuacratic red tape, graft and corruption is a two-way street that not only requires the resolve of the SHFC to maintain a graft-free public service but also the cooperation of the transacting public.
While SHFC officers and employees are sworn to serve the public with integrity, honesty and transparency, the SHFC Management monitors, reviews and fine-combs all transactions as its contribution to make the Philippines corruption-free.
The SHFC enjoins the transacting public to report to SHFC Management or concerned government agencies violations of RA 9485 and RA 11032 and the rules and regulations under this Handbook by any of our officers or employees.
ATTY. ARNOLFO RICARDO CABLING President
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SHFC imposes budget cuts in support of fight vs. COVID-19
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the housing agency implementing the government’s social housing program, has imposed an austerity measure through budget cuts in its operation for 2020, with the country saddled with huge expense in the fight against the spread of the deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
SHFC president Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling said the agency cancelled various activities lined up for the year after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 180 urging all departments and agencies to adopt austerity measures amid the COVID-19 crisis.
In compliance with the circular, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary del Rosario ordered its Key Shelter Agencies (KSA) to adopt austerity measures.
The KSA under DHSUD are the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Home Development Mutual Fund or PagIBIG Fund, the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. and SHFC.
“As one with the national government in the fight against COVID-19, we should find ways on how to provide much-needed funds in anticipation of the long-term effects of the pandemic,” Sec. Del Rosario said.“The government needs to sustain its efforts to assist our countrymen cope up with the adverse effects of the community quarantine and finally defeat the COVID-19.”
Sec. Del Rosario said, however, that the belt tightening measures should not adversely affect the delivery of vital services of the DHSUD.
State-owned SHFC is the implementor of the government’s socialized housing program carried out by its flagship project Community Mortgage Program (CMP) through long-term, low-interest housing loans extended to organized Home Owners Associations (HOAs) of hundreds of thousands of homeless Filipinos.
In his letter dated April 22, 2020 to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Cabling said “SHFC is committed to support all measures/efforts within its capacity to help fight” COVID-19 and its impact on the housing needs of low-income Filipinos.
“Consistent with the provisions of R. A. 1469, also known as Bayanihan To Heal as One Act of 2020 and the Government Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) Memorandum Order No. 2020-04, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is directed to assess its operation for year and identify Programs, Activities, and Projects (P/A/Ps) which have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and may be discontinued, ” said Cabling.
“These enumerated P/A/Ps with an aggregate fund of Twenty One Milllion One Hundred Nineteen Thousand One Hundred Fifteen Pesos (P21,119.15) from the Corporate Operating Budget are identified by the management to be discontinued. The same was presented to the Governance Policy and Nomination Committee to the Board and approved to be discontinued.”
Cabling assured that the budget cuts will not hamper its mission to provide shelter to homeless Filipinos.In the letter, he said that the austerity measure “will not preclude us from fulfilling our mandate to provide shelter solutions to low income families who are also the most vulnerable in this pandemic.”
“As COVID-19 continues to affect our lives, the poor communities are the most vulnerable. The SHFC is committed to support all measures/efforts within its capacity to help fight this challenge. Rest assured that the current odds will not preclude us from fulfilling our mandate to provide shelter solutions to low income families who are also the most vulnerable in this pandemic, ” Cabling assured.
Other than the belt-tightening budget cuts, SHFC also also declared a three-month moratorium onhousing loan amortizations after President Rodrigo Duterte declared an Emergency Community Quarantine (ECQ) on March 17. The moratorium, involving an estimated P31 billion, would benefit more than 5.5 million member- beneficiaries of the SHFC and the other DHSUD Key Shelter Agencies (KSA).
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of MARCH 2020 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS posted in the website DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com)
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has announced a three-month moratorium on monthly amortizations of its socialized housing loan borrowers amid the economic impact on the borrowers of the novel coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19).
The moratorium will be effective from March 16 to June 15, said Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, president of the government key shelter agency implementing the socialized housing program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
This developed as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday suspended the collection of monthly loan amortization to its more than 5 million key shelter agencies (KSAs) members amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon and other provinces to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
The KSAs, under the umbrella of DHSUD, include the Social Housing Finance Corporation., Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation.
DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario said a total of 5,225,783 KSA members and beneficiaries will benefit from the three-month moratorium.
The government’s housing czar said the DHSUD allowed a three-month moratorium to its KSAs members and beneficiaries so that “they will be able to comply with the quarantine guidelines imposed by the government.”
He said the suspension of monthly payment will “ help ease the burden of the payees” amid the Covid-19 crisis.
“By offering the moratorium, member-beneficiaries of our KSAs won’t have to worry about their monthly amortizations anymore in the next three months amid the COVID-19 scare,” he said. The moratorium period is effective from March 16 until June 15.
“This is DHSUD’s initiative in support of President Duterte’s all-out efforts to assist our kababayans amid these challenging times,” he added.
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SHFC MULLS SKELETAL FORCE VS. COVID-19
e Social Housing Corporation (SHFC) plans to deploy a lean force in its headquarters in Makati City and regional offices in observance of the social distancing policy under the Expanded Community Quarantine ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to prevent spread of the corona virus 2019 (Covid-19).
Atty. Arnolfo Cabling, president of the state-owned agency implementing the government’s socialized housing program, advised their clients, when the plan is implemented, to postpone transactions with the agency at a later date. Cabling said the plan is still being studied. adding an official announcement would be made when the plan is set into motion
Under the plan in observance of the Social Distancing rule, our employees would work only for a day, with four days of the week, working at home, said Cabling in a statement.
President Duterte has issued an executive order allowing government departments and agencies to adopt work schedules for workers as health authorities fight the spread of the deadly disease that has already claimed, as of March 17, fourteen lives and infected 187 others.
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MARAWI CITY REHAB CZAR DEL ROSARIO GIVEN MORE TEETH
DUTERTE takes action to hasten Marawi City reconstruction
President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Marawi City rehabilitation czar Eduardo del Rosario as point person who will handle funds and work directly with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to speed up reconstruction efforts.
MARAWI REHAB. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte chats with Senator Christopher “Bong” Go during a meeting to discuss updates on the Marawi Rehabilitation efforts at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (March 4, 2020). The Senator held a Senate committee hearing and reported various issues from stakeholders to the President. (Presidential photo by Alfred Frias)
Duterte made the decision during a meeting in Malacañan Palace facilitated by Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go in response to Marawi City residents’ concerns about the ongoing rehabilitation of their city left in ruins by a five-month war between government troops and terrorist Maute group in 2017.
“Hindi istilo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na mag-iwan ng proyektong nakatiwangwang. Hindi kami papayag ng Pangulo na mangyari ito. (It’s not the style of President Duterte to leave unfinished projects. We will not allow it to happen),” Go told the representatives of the Marawi residents at the public hearing that the Senate Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation held in Iligan City on February 21.
“Ako, bilang malapit sa Pangulo, kaya po ako narito, gusto ko po na maging tulay kami ninyo kay Pangulo. Kung may reklamo kayo, may gusto pa kayong iparating sa Pangulo, iparating ninyo na po kaagad ngayon (As ally of the President, the reason why we are here as your bridge to the President. If you have complaints and have something you want to express to the President, say it now),” he added.
Go said the Malacañang meeting on Wednesday was the fulfillment of his promise that he will set a meeting between Duterte and the stakeholders and relevant government agencies for the President to directly hear the various concerns of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
During the Palace meeting, Duterte emphasized deadlines and the importance of minimizing delays as he instructed the DBM to expedite the release of funds for the rehabilitation process.
Duterte said he will personally contribute to the reconstruction of the Grand Marawi Mosque and will visit Marawi City soon.
Go also informed Duterte about the desire of the IDPs to leave the temporary shelters and return to their respective homes.
“Gusto nilang marinig ang assurance ng ating Pangulo kasi hindi sila nakakabalik sa kanilang tirahan at wala silang ibang pinapaniwalaan kundi ang salita niyo po na makakabalik sila sa kanilang lupa at mga bahay (They want to hear assurance of our President because they cannot return to their homes and they will only listen to your words that they can go back to their respective places and homes),” Go said during the meeting with the President.
In response, Duterte assured the residents of the most affected area that they can visit their houses but military installations will remain to ensure the safety of the area.
“What happened to Marawi was a tragedy to this nation and so, in the aftermath, we will do everything to correct the so many wrongs and injustices committed against the Moros, not only in Marawi and Lanao but everywhere in Mindanao,” Duterte said.
Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino, the other members of the Senate Special Committee, also attended the meeting at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.
Previously, the President made a pledge to complete reconstruction works in Marawi City before he steps down in 2022. During the meeting, he vowed to monitor the ongoing improvements and rehabilitation work.
Prior to the Ilagan City public hearing, Go visited Marawi City for an ocular inspection of the rehabilitation efforts of the government. He also witnessed the opening of the 64th Malasakit Center in the country in Amai Pakpak Medical Center.
“Magtulungan po tayo. Bilang isang Mindanaoan, ako mismo ay gagawin ang lahat ng maaari kong maiambag, lalo na sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kalusugan (Let us help each other. As Mindanaoan, I will do what I can do to help especially on the health issues),” Go said, adding the new Malasakit Center will provide quick, quality and reliable medical services to Filipinos.
He assured his audience that the Duterte administration will not allow unfinished projects nor see people blaming each other for shortcomings.
Two years after the Marawi siege, Go said people, most especially the President, are now looking for concrete outputs that should be fruits of the assistance given by the government and donations from the international community to build a new and better Marawi City for its people.
“The President has two years left in Malacañan. We want to know how the rehabilitation can be completed. We don’t want the responsible officials to be negligent now and then put the blame on the President later on when his term ends,” Go said.
The May 2017 Marawi siege displaced around 40,000 households, according to official government figures.
The actual rehabilitation works started in September 2018 by clearing the city of unexploded bombs and debris. The task force reported that the city is now 99 percent cleared of explosives.
The second phase of the rehabilitation effort involves the construction of structures and buildings in the city through the help of 56 government agencies working together for the actual rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Go and other Senators have filed a bill entitled “Marawi Siege Compensation Act of 2020,” which seeks to provide tax-free compensations for all property owners whose properties were damaged by the Marawi Siege in 2017.
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NORTHERN SAMAR officials back SHFC socialized housing for low-income earners
In an effort to help more families realize their dreams of owning a house, Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan led other officials of the Province of Northern Samar in pushing for the promotion of a socialized housing program for low-income earners, during a forum at the Governor’s Residence in Catarman, on Feb. 28.
The forum was attended by Gov. Ongchuan and other provincial government officials, Congressman Paul R. Daza, municipal mayors, barangay captains, national government agency heads and representatives, and the private media.
Participants in the forum collectively vowed to support the need for a socialized housing in the province considering the growing number of people living in danger zones who needs to be relocated wherein majority belongs to the marginalized sector.
In the forum, Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Atty. Arnolfo Cabling presented the corporations’ socialize program as well as their mandates and services to the provincial and local chief executives who were present during the forum.
Cabling said SHFC is the lead government agency mandated to undertake socialized housing for low-income families who aspire to have their own homes.
In their Community Mortgage Program, Cabling said this is a people-led housing finance and community development program intended to assist legally organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land and houses under the concept of community ownership.
“One of the requirements for the approval of the loan is the lot plan with technical descriptions of the proposed site, duly signed by a licensed geodetic engineer to ensure the place is disaster resilient,” he said.
The agency offers a full package consists of a loan for lot acquisition, site development, and house construction with interest rate as low as 2 percent, he added. (ldl/tbc/PIA-Northern Samar)
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SHFC CMP BALAI BONDS TO EXPAND GOVT SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROGRAMS
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency mandated to undertake socialized housing for low-income families, is securitizing its mortgage portfolio to generate additional funding for the implementation of its flagship initiative, the Community Mortgage Program (CMP). The undertaking will also give property developers more options to comply with the mandatory 15 percent balanced housing requirement.
The ceremonial signing of the CMP BALAI Bonds is attended by (seated, from left): Land Bank First Vice President Gonzalo Bongolan, Land Bank Executive Vice President Carel Halog, DHSUD Asec. Leira Buan, PwC-Isla Lipana Executive Director Cheryl de Guzman, NHMFC President Felixberto Bustos, Jr., SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, and SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot.
SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling led the signing of agreements with partner-agencies for the upcoming issuance of the CMP BALAI Bonds in a ceremony held in Makati City on February 20. The event was attended by SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, SHFC Securitization and Funds Generation OIC-Manager Atty. Ann Margarette Vista, and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Asec. Leira Buan. Also present were National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) President Felixberto Bustos, Jr., Land Bank of the Philippines Treasury and Investment Banking Sector Executive Vice President Carel Halog, and PwC-Isla Lipana & Co. Executive Director Cheryl de Guzman.
In offering the bonds, SHFC will play the role of an issuer. Under the deals, PwC-Isla Lipana & Co. will serve as the portfolio auditor, while Puyat Jacinto & Santos and the Development Bank of the Philippines will function as the transaction counsel and tax advisor, and special purpose trust, respectively. The Philippine National Bank will act as the trustee, registrar, and paying agent, while the Philippine Rating Services Corporation will be the rating agency. The ceremony came after SHFC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines and NHMFC in May 2019 to be the CMP BALAI Bonds sole arranger, and advisor and program manager, respectively.
Based on the project roadmap, SHFC is targeting to issue the bonds in August, coinciding with the 32nd anniversary of the CMP. The program, wherein organized communities can avail to purchase the land they occupy or would like to relocate to, has benefited more than 350,000 families through over P16 billion in loan assistance since its inception.
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of FEBRUARY 2020 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS posted in the website DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com)
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SHFC: Child-friendly low-cost housing for Pinoys
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the government agency tasked with implementing socialized housing, not only builds roofs for the country’s homeless.
We also see to it that all our projects are child-friendly, said Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SHFC president.
Cabling said child-friendly features incorporated in the projects are amenities like playgrounds and parks, along with health and educational facilities for children, among others.
PHOTO CAPTION: SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, together with Estate Management Division OIC-Manager Philip Robert Flores, had a productive discussion with UNICEF Philippines officials on November 15, ensuring that the existing and future socialized housing projects of the agency are child-friendly.
“Housing is a human right that facilitates the acquisition of other rights such as children’s rights,” Atty. Payot said. SHFC, in this regard, will continuously build partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF to learn better developmental approaches in forging child-friendly communities.
PHOTO CAPTION: No longer living in danger zones where they are threatened by floods, children of recipients of the SHFC low-cost housing project in Naic, Cavite happily pose with pride with their new home at the background
In Naic, Cavite, children of at least 1,180 families now call as their home a child-friendly housing project at Coastal City, Brgy. Timalan built for them by SHFC. The recipients were Informer Settler Families (ISF) plucked out from danger zones in four rivers of Las Pinas — Almirante Creek, Tar-Tar Creek, Pasong Cobra Creek, and Las Piñas River.
Funded by SHFC, the P475-million housing project on a five-hectare land was constructed by First RGP Land Development Corporation.
The chosen beneficiaries underwent screening and were validated and certified by the Department of Interior and Local Government; and prequalified by the Social Housing Finance Corporation.
Each unit has a 24-sqm ground floor and a 12-sqm loft. Families will pay P803 monthly during the first year. Payment will increase by 10 percent annually for the next 30 years.
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SHFC: HOW TO AVAIL OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING LOAN
How Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) housing loan recipients can avail of additional loans for home improvement (with photo, video and infomercial)3
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SHFC: The Community Mortgage Program (CMP)
CMP OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) which assists legally
organized associations of low-income groups to acquire and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership.
The primary objective of the program is to assist residents of blighted or depressed areas to own the lots they occupy, or where they choose to relocate to, and
eventually create sustainable and resilient communities in coordination with the local government units. CMP shall be implemented in various Flexible, Affordable,
Innovative, and Responsive (FAIR) shetter solutions.
Below is a schedule of how much a prospective member-beneficiary can borrow from CMP:
· For onsite P400,000.00
· For horizontal housing P480,000.00 up to P580,000.00
· For vertical housing P600,000.00 up to P750,000.00
· For farmlot P350,000 + P50,000 Farmer Support Assistance
The loan may be used for land acquisition (Phase 1), site development (Phase 2), and house construction or home improvement (Phase 3)
The determination of final loan amount shall be subject to existing CMP guidelines. The CMP loan will bear 6% interest per year based on the outstanding balance and
will be payable over a maximum period of 25 years in equal monthly amortizations.
DUE DILIGENCE
The processing of CMP loan applications will essentially involve due diligence verification by SHFC on the CMP loan application and the collateral. Upon acceptance of
complete documentary requirements, SHFC shall strive to devote no more than one hundred twenty (120) working days to complete the due diligence process from CMP loan application to loan release.
CMP RESETTLEMENT MODALITIES
CMP LOAN COLLATERAL The land to be acquired by the Community Association (CA) shall serve as the CMP loan collateral, and will be acceptable if the following criteria are met: 1. The title to the land is free from all liens and encumbrances at the time of release of the CMP loan; 2. The land is not classified as agricultural; 3. The land is not within environmentally-constrained/ hazardous or high-risk areas as certified by the DENR and the concerned local government unit; 4. The land has a road right of way or an access road lot to a city, municipal or barangay road; and 5. The landowner should have the legal capacity to sell or transfer the subject property for loan collateral under the CMP.BORROWERS Tenants/beneficiaries shall form and register a CA, which entity shall borrow and initially own and mortgage the land. Individual beneficiaries’ right over the land and eventual ownership of the lot is achieved through a Lease Purchase Agreement (LPA) with the CA. ELIGIBILITY OF CMP BORROWERS 1. Filipino citizen, of legal age (18) at the time of the loan application and shall not be more than 60 years old upon loan release; 2. Certifies under oath that he/she has not been a recipient of any CMP loan or other govt. housing programs. Does not own or co-own a real property and is not a professional squatter as defined in RA 7279; 3. Must be a structure owner, a renter or a sharer at the site.DELINQUENCY / DEFAULT A CA account is considered in default if it is not up to date with its loan amortization payments equivalent to three consecutive months.PENALTIES In case of non-payment of monthly amortizations on the due date (one month after release of the loan), the CA shall pay a penalty equivalent to 1/15 of 1% for day of delay.INSURANCE For the duration of the loan, there shall be a Mortgage Insurance on the lives of the principal borrowers as identified in the Master List of Members on a yearly renewable term basis. The insurance premiums shall be included in the monthly amortizations of the members.
SUBSTITUTION OF BENEFICIARIES / FORECLOSURE The Master list of members submitted as part of the CMP loan application are deemed final and may not be subject to substitution during loan application processing period. A member may be substituted due to the following:
Substitution of beneficiaries:
1. MB has executed a notarized Voluntary Waiver of Rights on his/her allocated lot unit; 2. MB is an absentee MB (absentee is defined as failure to occupy the assigned lot/ unit without justifiable reason within one [1] year from take-out); 3. Existence of a final and executory decision or order from the courts or quasi-judicial body directing the MB to be substituted; 4. Upon death of an MB and his/her Mortgage Redemption Insurance (MRI) proceeds is insufficient to cover arrears in loan amortization; and 5. When any of items as mentioned under CMP Circular No. 046 occurs constituting an event of default under the Lease Purchase Agreement or Lease Agreement signed by the MB and the CA with the community
Renters or sharers in the project sites shall be preferred or prioritized in the substitution process.
The CA shall be responsible for the substitution of the member without prejudice to the right of SHFC to disqualify substitute members if they fail to meet the qualifications of a member or if there is proof of misrepresentation by the CA officers.
COMMUNITY MOBILIZERS (CMP-M) Accredited CMP-Ms are tasked to assist informal settlers in organizing themselves into CAs. CMP-Ms may either be any government entity, non-government organizations (NGO) and People’s Organizations (PO) and must possess the needed skills to organize communities, document CMP project applications, and provide access to other government agencies involved in the program.
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SHFC: Doubters no more
BULACAN COUPLE SECURES KID’S FUTURE WITH OWN HOUSE
Owning a house felt like a distant dream for Von Edward Marquez and his wife, Ann, partner-homeowners from Policarpio Ville HOAI of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. But they were determined to turn it into reality for the future of their child and that dream finally came true on October 9, 2019, when they received their transfer certificate of title (TCT) from SHFC.
Ann vividly recalled the struggle of renting while starting their family back in 2016. “Dati sa Quezon City po kami nakatira. Kakakasal lang po namin noon at nangungupahan lang kami,” she shared. Edward echoed the sentiment, noting that they spent P4,500 per month for a small apartment. “Grabe po ang hirap. Imbes na ipunin namin para sa anak namin ‘yung binabayad namin, sa renta lang napupunta ‘yung pera.”
It was in that same year when the young couple found out about CMP. After the local government and original landowners decided that the lot is best suited for CMP due to the existing presence of informal settler families, those who were living within one kilometer from the project reached out, including Edward and Ann,
“Sa totoo lang po, noong nabanggit sa amin ang CMP, medyo nag-doubt kami pero ang sabi namin, wala namang masama kung susubukan mo ‘di ba?” Ann asked. Given the soaring prices of land nowadays, the mother of two feels extremely lucky that they are only paying about P300 a month for their lot in Barangay Mulawin.
Edward, out of gratitude, could not help but recognize the extra effort, concern, and passion shown by SHFC employees in dealing with them. “Salamat sa malasakit ng Social Housing at nakita namin na talagang tutok sila sa mga beneficiaries, talagang pinagpuyatan nila, at dugot pawis ang inalay nila para maisakatuparan ‘yung mga pangarap ng mga nagtitiwala sa kanila,” he said.
The Marquez family gladly built not only their first home in Policarpio Ville HOAI but also the foundation and future of their family. “Sobrang saya po at nagpapasalamat kami kay Lord kasi sa murang edad namin, nagkaroon kami ng investment na magagamit din ng anak namin sa future,” Ann said.
Aside from Edward and Ann, 18 other partner-homeowners received their TCT that day in a ceremony led by SHFC Central Luzon Branch. Mobilized by the local government of San Jose del Monte, Policarpio Ville HOAI is composed of 83 members and is currently headed by Victoria Fernandez.
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SHFC – ANSWERED PRAYER: LAGUNA MOM GETS OWN LAND THROUGH GOD’S GRACE
The moment Ma. Cristina Tabilog of Sto. Niño Nurpa HOAI got hold of her own TCT on October 25 in San Pablo, Laguna, she immediately pointed to the sky and whispered a silent prayer of thanks. “Napatunayan ko po talaga na sapat at mabuti ang Diyos sa buhay ng mga taong nagtitiwala sa kanya,” she said, with emotions effusing from her voice. It’s normal for mothers to take risks for the betterment of their family. Cristy, as she is fondly called, still remembers the time when they made a gamble in 2006, when her family left their rented apartment in Bicol in search of a better life in Laguna. “Noong lumipat kami dito, walang-wala talaga kami,” she shared. “Ang dala lang talaga namin ay kapirasong damit, isang kaldero, at isang kalan.” But with her and her husband’s hard work and a strong belief in God, their family is now blessed with a small sari-sari store and a buko-pie business, which are their primary source of income that supports their daily needs and pays their bills, including their monthly amortization with SHFC.
According to Cristy, she did not think twice to grab the opportunity to own a piece of land in Barangay Sto. Niño under CMP. Like any doting mother, she always wanted the best for her five children. “Iniisip ko po kasi ‘yung mga anak ko. Wala akong maipapamana sa kanila, kaya kaming mag-asawa nagsikap talaga na magkaroon kami ng sariling bahay,” she said. “Kasi sa lugar na pinanggalingan namin, wala rin kaming sariling bahay.”
Evidently, Cristy’s strong faith in God and perseverance has put the former bakery attendant to achieve what she has right now-a supportive family, a booming business, and her own land title. And this made her lost for words. “Masayang masaya po ako talaga ngayong araw na ito,” said the 43-year-old, who shared that she marked her calendar at home to remind her of this day. “Lahat ng meron ako ngayon ay inaalay ko sa Diyos.”
Cristy was one of the 19 partner-homeowners who received their respective TCT from SHFC in a ceremony led by South Luzon Area Manager Julita Parreño. Sto. Niño Nurpa is composed of 192 members and was mobilized by Tulong at Silungan ng Masa Foundation, Inc.
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SHFC – Excitement and sense of ownership after 25 years
WITH TITLE ON HAND, PAMPANGA BUDDIES SEE MORE SUNNY DAYS AHEAD
The sun in the municipality of Magalang in Pampanga was as bright as ever on the morning of September 16, 2019. It carried a radiance of promise, just like the aura of excitement that was building up on the faces of Joseph David and Ariel Layug as they eagerly waited for their names to be called on stage to get their respective transfer certificate of title from SHFC.
For the best buddies, nothing could quite top off more than two decades of diligently paying their respective monthly amortization than the satisfaction and sense of ownership in finally receiving their land titles. “Masayang-masaya ako kasi pagkatapos ng matagal na panahon, nakamit din namin ito,” said Joseph, who drives trucks for a living. “Twenty-five years namin itong binuno. Nagkaproblema pa nga kami noon sa unang presidente namin, buti na lang naayos na ang lahat ngayon.”
His sentiment was shared by Ariel, who could not contain his joy over the moment. “Syempre masaya, sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa na may sariling titulo ka na,” said the 45-year-old, who serves as one of the association’s board of directors. “Sa haba ng panahon ng paghihintay, natapos din. Kaya salamat sa Social Housing.”
Joseph and Ariel are particularly blissful that they and the other community members can now finally call themselves house and lot owners. They feel fortunate that they will not experience the difficulty of renting a house again. “Mahirap kasi talaga ang nangungupahan kasi pag nagbayad ka, kinabukasan may utang ka na ulit,” Ariel pointed out. “Eh dito (sa programa ng SHFC), kada bayad namin pagdating ng araw sa amin na ang lupa.”
Joseph could not agree more with his friend. “Maswerte kami kasi sa panahon ngayon murang-mura na talaga ito,” he said of their P110-monthly amortization. “Mas maganda kung magkakaroon pa ng ganitong programa ang SHFC para mas madami pang taga-rito ang magkabahay.”
The best buddies are two of the 22 partner-homeowners of St. Francis HOAI who received their respective title from SHFC in a ceremony led by the Central Luzon Branch at the covered court of San Francisco Elementary School. As the awarding came to a close, the sunlight shone upon Joseph and Ariel as they walked out of the venue and enjoyed the morning’s fresh air, carrying with them promise of sunny days ahead.
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SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION
Mandate
The SHFC shall be the lead government agency to undertake social housing programs that will cater to the formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket.
Our Vision
SHFC shall provide 530,000 organized homeless and low-income families with Flexible, Affordable, Innovative, and Responsive (FAIR) shelter solutions to their housing needs.
Our Mission
We empower and uplift the living conditions of underprivileged communities by Building Adequate Livable Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino Communities through provision of FAIR shelter solutions in strong partnerships with the national and local government, as well as the civil society organizations and the private sector to support the underprivileged communities.
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POHOTONEWS: SHFC INSTALLS CAIS KIOSK FOR BORROWERS’ INFO IN CEBU & DAVAO
GOOD NEWS to housing loan borrowers of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) in Cebu and Davao.
You can generate your Abstract of Collection and Statement of Account in just a few clicks with Community Association Information System (CAIS) kiosk. It has an interactive touch-screen interface providing flexibility to partner-homeowners on their collection-related information needs.
SHFC going online to give accounts information to borrowers through the CAIS Kiosks, is an information technology innovation introduced by SHFC president Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
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Del Rosario vows affordable, resilient housing units for Pinoys
Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario has vowed to provide low-cost housing projects to all Filipinos, serving with integrity and corrupt-free businesses.
Marking the first founding anniversary of the newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on February 14, del Rosario said the department seeks to produce more affordable, livable and resilient housing units for Filipinos.
FIRST YEAR IN SERVICE. The newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will be celebrating its first founding anniversary on February 14. DHSUD is responsible for establishing Housing One-Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs) in the regions to centralize the processing of housing-related documents. (Contributed photo/DHSUD)
“When you say resilient, meaning, it needs to be durable and not a substandard type of housing unit. We will concentrate on that and maybe we can undertake other modalities based on the government required budget,” he told the Philippine News Agency in an interview recently.
He said part of the department’s strategy is to expand and enhance its networking with all of its stakeholders to ensure that the regulatory aspect, finance method, and its production will complement the desire of the government to give more financial assistance to those who need it.
HOUSING CZAR Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, left, and Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, President of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), a line agency of the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Housing (DHSUD) at the 16th Founding Anniversary of SHFC held in Makati City on January 24. SHFC is tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing program.
At the forefront of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte’s housing program is the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), a line agency of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing program. Headed by its president, Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SHFC grants low-interest long-term loans to the poorest of homeless Pinoys through its flagship project, Community Mortgage Program (CMP). At the 16th SHFC Founding Anniversary on January 24, 2020, held in Makati City, Del Rosario and Cabling announced that loan interest on socialized housing had been reduced from 6% to 2%.
“The rules and regulations and the policies must complement our desire to give more financial assistance,” del Rosario added, noting that the department considers housing projects as a need and right of all Filipinos.
He said the department’s responsibility is to ensure, assist, and support the people to realize their dreams in getting their own houses.
“I’m seeing that the key in housing production will be more on networking with private sectors, (so) there will an interplay with our networking system-that our regulatory aspect, our finance and production must be complimentary,” he added.
New targets
Del Rosario added that the department might enter joint-venture agreements and private-public partnerships (PPP) to enhance its delivery of more housing units at low prices.
He said the department might enter into a rental housing concept that will benefit Filipino families to pay lower lease-fee amounting from PHP1,000 to PHP1,500 which is “definitely much cheaper than the commercial rate of the house rental.”
Under Republic Act 11201 signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 14, 2019, the new department is responsible for establishing Housing One-Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs) in the regions to centralize the processing of housing-related documents.
The law cited the need for underprivileged and homeless Filipinos to have access to safe and affordable housing.
“The State shall, by law and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of housing and urban development which shall make available at affordable cost, decent housing, and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas,” the law stated.
Del Rosario said he was “given the disciplinary power to ensure that the personnel of the key shelter agencies are doing what is expected for them as professional employees on the housing sector.”
He added that under his watch, the department would raise the bar of integrity in the housing sector and set a standard in the ease of doing business.
“This is one key to eliminate corruption, to strictly observe the ease of doing business and I would not like to hear as I’ve told my officials, if I will be hearing complaints coming from the ground, I would like to assure them, as a friendly reminder, that I will investigate,” he said, adding that if someone is found guilty of corruption, a sanction will be strictly imposed.
“We are here to serve. We must serve with integrity and possible corruption-free department,” he said.
The DHSUD consolidates the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.
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SHFC CUTS DOWN INTEREST ON SOCIALIZED HOUSING LOANS FOR HOMELESS PINOYS (Video and photo)
At the “Ulat sa Pamayanan” Press Conference during the 16th Founding Anniversary of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) held in Makati City on January 24, 2020, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), announced that SHFC, headed by Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, will reduce interest on socialized housing loans under the SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP) from 6% to 2%. Cabling said the lowered interest rate is a gift of President Rodrigo Duterte to the country’s homeless.
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HOUSING CZAR DEL ROSARIO: SHFC has housing program for Taal Volcano eruption victims (video and Photo)
At the “Ulat sa Pamayanan” Press Conference during the 16th Founding Anniversary of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) held in Makati City on January 24, 2020, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), announced that SHFC, headed by Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, along with the National Housing Agency (NHA), has a contingency housing plan for Batangas City residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.
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IN RETROSPECT
PHOTONEWS: SHFC 16th Anniversary Feature
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Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of JANUARY 2020 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of JANUARY 2020 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
PUBLISHED NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS (All stories posted in the websites DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com) and TOPNEWSNOW (topnews1948.com)
50,000 Informal Settler Families (ISF) resettled under Duterte administration
A highlight of the Duterte administration’s housing program for homeless, low-income earning Filipinos
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) reported about 50,000 relocated Informal Settler Families (ISF) benefitting from the government’s socialized housing since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016.
SHFC, the government agency implementing the government’s socialized housing program headed by its president, Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Arnolfo Cabling, bared the accomplishment on January 20, as it started a 5-day series of activities marking its 16th Founding Anniversary.
The SHFC is one of housing line agencies under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), created by Republic Act No. 11201 of 2019. DHSUD, which started its full implementation in January 2020, is headed by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, former chairman of the defunct Housing and Urban Development Council (HUDCC) and current chair of Bangon Marawi.
SHFC provides funding for low-cost, long-term socialized housing loans for ISFs displaced from shorelines and rivers and other risk areas, including homeless low-income formal settlers who want to avail of the government’s socialized housing program.
The housing loans are coursed through community associations or homeowners’ associations under the SHFC’s Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the agency’s flagship program.
The CMP housing loan program consists of lot acquisition, house and lot and house and lot with land development packages.
The SHFC’s other program is the ambitious High Density Housing (HDH) project, space- saving condominium-type multi-storey buildings that can house thousands of beneficiaries.
The HDH project is seen as a flexible, affordable, innovative, and responsive solution to address the housing and shelter needs of the ISFs in urban centers.
SHFC’s Corporate Accomplishment Report for 2019 will be officially presented to the agency’s Board of Directors and the public and its various stakeholders on January 24, the culminating event of the anniversary celebration where the Duterte administration’s housing program for homeless, low-income earning Filipinos will be highlighted.
In its report, SHFC placed the number of ISF beneficiaries at 32,751 for year 2019. The figure is twice the number of beneficiaries (about 16,000) in 2018 and thrice (about 11,000) that in 2017.
For ISF beneficiaries in 2019 alone, the take-out was 15,735 in Luzon, 6.997 in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 5,600 in Mindanao.
Cabling said the 2019 growth of the number of beneficiaries in 2019 can be ascribed to SHFC’s establishment of regional and satellite offices, now numbering 20, throughout the country.
He also gave credit to the agency’s Mobilizers, a private support group trained on SHFC’s housing loan programs who assist in organizing community and homeowners’ associations and on how to avail of the CMP; and Local Government Units (LGUs) who entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SHFC providing funding for their local housing programs.
Photo Caption: CONDOMINIUMS FOR HOMELESS FILIPINOS. Ciudad de Strike 2 in Bacoor City in Cavite, a P648 million High Density Housing (HDH) project of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) in tandem with the Bacoor City government, composed of 20 condo-type 3-storey buildings, is now home to 1,440 Informal Settler Families (ISFs) displaed from shorelines and rivers and other risk areas of Bacoor, Las Pinas and Paranaque. Another project, Ciudad de Strike 1, is being built this year in Bacoor, also at a cost of P648-million for another batch of 1,440 beneficiaries. (Photo by Sylvester C. Balanza)
SPECIAL REPORT: SHFC cuts down socialized housing loan interest from 6 percent to 2 percent
The government agency tasked with funding housing for the country’s homeless families has cut down interest on socialized housing loans from 6 percent to 2 percent.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chief of the newly-created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, president of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), bared the bonanza for the country’s homeless during the 16th SHFC Founding Anniversary celebration held on January 24, 2020 in Makati City.
The new reduced interest rates, approved by the SHFC Board of Directors last year, covers loan applications for socialized housing starting January 2022.
Under the new scheme, borrowers with low income — households within the two lowest income decile (bracket), including those below the poverty threshold based on latest results of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey — will pay interest rate of only 2 percent from the previous 6 percent. Moreover, the repayment term under the new scheme has been extended from 25 years to 35 years.
To benefit from the reduced interest, borrowers must avail of the SHFC’s full package scheme consisting of a loan for lot acquisition, site development and house construction under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP). Duly organized and registered homeowners associations and community associations shall serve as conduit of the housing loans.
The reduced interest rates will also benefit borrowers above low-income earners. Families in the 3rd decile will now pay interest of 4%, while those in the 4th to 7th decile will pay 4.5%. Families in the 8th to 10th decile or those with highest paying capacity, will continue to be charged the 6% interest, but with repayment terms extended to 30 years.
In his speech at the Founding Anniversary’s Ulat sa Pamayanan (Report to the People), del Rosario said the CMP’s reduced interest rate of 2 percent is the lowest ever in the history of housinf finance in the country.
CMP, the SHFC flagship program, has already benefited over 350,000 borrowers through over P16 Billion in loan assistance for socialized housing. In 2019 alone, about P2.8 Billion was extended to 32,797 beneficiaries. The figure is a record -high performance for CMP, twice that of the previous year and thrice that in 2017.
SHFC records show that 80% of the beneficiaries are Informal Settler Families (ISF) displaced from shorelines, rivers and other risk areas, indicating that the biggest beneficiary of the housing program of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte are the poorest of the homeless Filipinos.
SHFC DEFAULTING HOUSING LOAN BORROWERS TOLD: AVAIL OF CONDONATION
HERE IS GOOD NEWS FOR HOUSING LOAN BORROWERS OF THE SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (SHFC) WHO DEFAULTED ON THEIR AMORTIZATION
For those who have already availed of loans but are falling behind on their payments, SHFC will alleviate their burden and get them fully on track to their dream home by availing of our penalty condonation program, said the government agency that provides low-interest, long-term social housing loans to under-privileged communities and homeless Filipinos through the SHFC Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
SHFC announced the saving grace for borrowers defaulting on their monthly payments as it celebrated its 16th Founding Anniversary on January 24, 2020 in Makati City.
“This is our gift to our low-income clients on the occasion of our anniversary,” said SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
Cabling urged CMP partner-homeowners to avail of this last chance to restructure their loan; otherwise, they will face a collection suit or foreclose.
The condonation is in line with Republic Act No. 9507 or the Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring and Condonation Program.
“We are hoping that our partner-homeowners will immediately fill their application before the program ends in 2021,” said Cabling.
The loan restructuring scheme covers partner-homeowners with accumulated arrears equivalent to at least three months amortizations, except those who have previously availed of the benefits.
The loan relief initiative will give economically depressed partner-homeowners an opportunity to easily update their accounts because they will no longer pay the accumulate penalties and surcharges incurred from unpaid amortization and thereby save their homes from foreclosure, said Cabling.
The condonation program is one of two big news announced as SHFC celebrated its Founding Anniversary.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chief of the newly-created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and Guest Speaker of the anniversary event, and president Cabling also bared that interest loans for socialized housing loans under the SHFC’s CMP program will be reduced from 6% to 2%.
The new reduced interest rates, approved by the SHFC Board of Directors last year, covers loan applications for socialized housing starting January 2022.
Under the new scheme, borrowers with low income — households within the two lowest income decile (bracket), including those below the poverty threshold based on latest results of the Family Income and Expenditure Survey — will pay interest rate of only 2 percent from the previous 6 percent. Moreover, the repayment term under the new scheme has been extended from 25 years to 35 years.
To benefit from the reduced interest, borrowers must avail of the SHFC’s full package scheme consisting of a loan for lot acquisition, site development and house construction under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP). Duly organized and registered homeowners associations and community associations shall serve as conduit of the housing loans.
The reduced interest rates will also benefit borrowers above low-income earners. Families in the 3rd decile will now pay interest of 4%, while those in the 4th to 7th decile will pay 4.5%. Families in the 8th to 10th decile or those with highest paying capacity, will continue to be charged the 6% interest, but with repayment terms extended to 30 years.
SHFC EXPANDS HOUSING LOAN MODALITIES TO 12 SECTORS
From resettling to safe homes Informal Settler Families (ISF) in rivers, shorelines and other risk areas, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is going to the ruins of Marawi City to provide low-cost, long-term housing loans to residents who lost their homes in the siege by terrorist of the Muslim City in 2017. And more. SHFC, the government agency tasked with providing socialized housing to homeless Filipinos, could even go to the mountains to build homes for the lumads or to areas ravaged by typhoons, earthquakes and other natural disasters to build houses for the displaced.
The SHFC is reinforcing its wings to reach out to more sectors to achieve its mission to provide houses to about 500,000 homeless Pinoys by the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
To date, the SHFC’s flagship program Community Mortgage Program (CMP) has already benefited, since its inception, about 350,000 families through assistance of more than P16 Billion in housing loans to homeless Filipinos.
The race to build low-cost housing is fast-paced as SHFC attempts to do its part to meet its target.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chair of the newly-created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has dire forebodings for the future of the housing needs of Filipinos: 6.5 million by 2022 and ballooning to 20.5 million in 2040 if nothing is done to avert the sad scenario of millions of homeless Pinoys.
DHSUD, created by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 14, 2019, is a merger of the erstwhile Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), then also chaired by del Rosario, and the now defunct Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). Now the country’s primary regulatory and policy-making housing body, DHSUD came into operation in January 2020.
In achieving its mission to provide homes to the homeless Filipinos, DHSUD will be backed up by its line agencies: Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig Fund) and Home Guarantee Corp. (HGC)
To keep pace with the growing demand for safe, resilient, and sustainable housing, SHFC is introducing trailblazing financing programs with the launch of 12 CMP modalities.
The 12 modalities were announced on January 24, 2020, by del Rosario and Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, President of SHFC, during the 16th Founding Anniversary of SHFC in Makati City.
They are the Housing for Peace Process & Nation Building, which is currently being implemented in Zamboanga City and Marawi City, and Post Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation, which is offered for families affected by disasters such as those rendered homeless by Typhons Yolanda and Sendong.
The other CMP modalities are On-Site and Site Upgrading/Development, Special/National Government Agency Projects, Local Government Unit, Sectoral, Farm lot, Industrial workers, Culturally Sensitive/Indigenous People, Vertical, Mixed-Use/Township, and Turnkey/Public and Private Partnership.
At the anniversary event, Cabling also bared that SHFC is pruning down of interest on housing loans from 6% to 2%; and agency’s housing loan condonation program for defaulting borrowers that would last in 2021.
SHFC adopts new pro-poor shelter financing measures
Marks 16th anniversary with breakthrough accomplishments
MAKATI CITY, Jan. 27–The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the lead government agency mandated to undertake socialized housing for low-income earners, is celebrating its 16th anniversary by launching new schemes that will help more poor families realize their dreams of owning a home.
The Community Mortgage Program (CMP), SHFC’s flagship program, has benefited more than 350,000 families through over P16 billion in loan assistance since its inception in 1988. In 2019 alone, the agency recorded the highest takeout ever by assisting a total of 32,797 partner-homeowners through housing loans amounting to P2.48 billion. This number of partner-homeowners is twice that of the previous year and nearly thrice that of 2017.
Meanwhile, SHFC’s collections reached P1.11 billion in 2019, up 8 percent from the year prior. The agency’s current collection efficiency rating of 72.03 percent is significantly higher than the 69.05 percent it posted in 2018. These achievements can be attributed to the decentralized approach of SHFC, which saw the opening of several branches nationwide, and to its strategy of working closely with local governments.
This year, SHFC expects to assist more low-income families own their homes because starting January, the agency is adopting reduced or socialized interest rates for full package availment of loans under the CMP. A full package consists of a loan for lot acquisition, site development, and house construction. The socialized rates will ease the constraints that low-income CMP borrowersface when paying their monthly amortization.
Under the socialized approach, borrowers with lower household income will pay lower interest rates. Thus, households within the lowest two income deciles – including those with incomes below the poverty threshold based on the results of the latest Family Income and Expenditure Survey – will pay an interest rate of only 2 percent. This new rate is a huge reduction from the original 6 percent. It is also the lowest ever in the history of housing finance in the country. In addition, the repayment term is extended to 35 years from the original 25 years in order to further ease the burden on the lowest income borrowers, who comprise the majority of CMP availers.
Families in the 3rd decile pay an interest rate of 4 percent, while those in the 4th to 7th decile pay 4.5 percent. Families in the 8th to 10th decile, or those who have the highest capacity to pay, will continue to be charged at the original rate of 6 percent. They will all have a repayment term of 30 years.
For those who have already availed of loans but are falling behind on their payments, SHFC also seeks to alleviate their burden and get them on track to their dreams by offering the penalty condonation program under Republic Act 9507. The loan restructuring scheme covers partner-homeowners with accumulated arrearages equivalent to at least three months amortizations, except those who have previously availed of the benefits.
This loan relief initiative will give economically depressed partner-homeowners an opportunity to easily update their accounts because they will no longer have to pay the accumulated penalties and surcharges incurred from unpaid amortization. As a result, they will be able to save their homes. “This is our gift to our low-income clients on the occasion of our anniversary,” said SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, who urged CMP partner-homeowners to avail of this last chance torestructure their loans; otherwise, they will face a collection suit or foreclosure. “Thus, we are hoping that partner-homeowners will immediately file their applications before the program ends in 2021.”
To keep pace with the growing demand for safe, resilient, and sustainable housing, SHFC is introducing trailblazing financing programs with the launch of 12 CMP modalities. These include Housing for Peace Process & Nation Building, which is currently being implemented in Zamboanga City and Marawi City, and Post-Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation, which is offered for families affected by disasters such as those rendered homeless by Typhoons Yolanda and Sendong.
Other CMP modalities are On-Site and Site Upgrading/Development, Special/National Government Agency Projects, Local Government Unit, Sectoral, Farm Lot, Industrial Workers, Culturally Sensitive/Indigenous People, Vertical, Mixed-Use/Township, and Turnkey/Public and Private Partnership.
The public can expect efficient implementation of SHFC’s programs because it has been recertified as conforming to ISO 9001:2015 standards by SOCOTEC Certification International. The certification was issued on December 19, 2019, affirming yet again SHFC’s conformity to international quality standards in its core processes and its Quality Management System. SHFC has been ISO-certified since 2016.
SHFC is the lead agency assisting underprivileged communities to secure land tenure through shelter financing and development solutions by Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino communities.
PHOTONEWS: SHFC, Magalang LGU sign MOU on socialized housing
SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (SHFC) President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Magalang, Pampanga Mayor Romulo Pecson sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on financing of socialized housing projects of the Magalang Local Government Unit (LGU) on January 23, 2020 at the Magalang Town Plaza, witnessed by Assistant Secretary Leira Buan of the Department of Housing Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
VIDEONEWS: PBS Lucena City – TALK OF THE MOMENT with SHFC’s Jimmy Manes
Talk of the Moment sa DWLC 1017AM Radyo Pilipinas Lucena with OIC-Vice President for South Luzon Operations Jimmy Manes on programs and projects of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) in Lucena City.
SHFC HOLDS “DAGAN PARA BALAY” FUN RUN IN ZAMBOANGA
DAGAN PARA BALAY
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Region 9 North Operation, in partnership with the Zamboanga del Norte Homeowners Association Federation, organized a fun run with the theme “Dagan para Balay” in Dipolog City on January 26.
More than 500 partner-homeowners, including their children, participated in the activity—a first of its kind for SHFC. The participants were beneficiaries of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship program of the SHFC, the government agency assisting homeless Filipinos with funding for low-interest, long-term socialized housing loans.
The fun run was aimed at strengthening the sense of community among the members and rallying them around the idea that every individual has a right to adequate housing. The Community Mortgage Program helps uphold that right through affordable and holistic housing solutions.
In his inspirational message, Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot encouraged those who have not yet completed their loan applications to keep pursuing their dreams of owning a house.
“Whatever your pace, as long as you do not stop, you will eventually reach the finish line like you just did this morning,” he said.
Atty. Payot also congratulated the participants for their strong commitment to their future and those of their children as shown by their readiness to wake up at four in the morning to join the fun run.
PHOTONEWS: SHFC, Floridablanca LGU sign MOU on socialized housing
Nilagdaan ng Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) at Pamahalaang Lokal ng Floridablanca, Pampanga ang isang Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) noong Enero 23 para sa mas pinaigting na implementasyon ng mga programang pabahay sa munisipalidad.
Ang MOU ay pinirmahan nina SHFC President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling at Floridablanca Mayor Darwin R. Manalansan na sinaksihan nina Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Assistant Secretary Leira Buan at Floridablanca Vice Mayor Michael Galang sa Floridablanca Sports Center, Pampanga.
PHOTONEWS: SHFC, Guagua LGU sign MOU on socialized housing
Isinagawa noong Huwebes, Enero 23, ang Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony sa pagitan ng Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) at Pamahalaang Lokal ng Guagua, Pampanga para sa mas mabilis na paghahatid ng ligtas at disenteng pabahay.
Ang MOU signing ay pinangunahan nina SHFC President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling at Guagua Mayor Dante Torres na dinaluhan nina DHSUD Assistant Secretary Leira Buan at Guagua Vice Mayor Sajid Khan Eusoof.
PHOTONEWS: SHFC 16th Anniversary Feature
IN RETROSPECT – Housing the nation throughout the years
Attended:
16th SHFC FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
JANUARY 22, 23, 24, 25, 2020 – MAKATI CITY
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Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Months of November and December 2019 Visit: durianburgdavao.com/2019/07/23/social-housing-finance-corp-shfc/
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of November 2019
PUBLISHED NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS (All stories posted in the websites DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com) and TOPNEWSNOW (topnews1948.com)
1. SHFC BUILDS TWO-STOREY 616-UNIT HOUSING FOR DAPITAN CITY DISPLACED FAMILIES
November 29, 2019
DAPITAN CITY – The SHFC Department of Engineering headed by OIC-Vice President Engr. Elsa Juliana Calimlim conducts the first pre-construction training for the officers of Sulangon Heights Homeowners Association, Inc., the local government of Dapitan City, and the contractor of forthcoming project that will benefit about 616 informal settlers who were affected by natural calamities, implementation of various government projects and those living in hazard-prone areas.
The SHFC Department of Engineering created in October 2018, ensures site suitability requirements of all projects, monitors house construction and site development, and ensures that they comply with all national and local technical regulations.
The construction of the medium rise building at Barangay Sulangon, follows the signing in September 6, 2018 of a Memorandum of Understanding by Cabling and Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos.
Under the MOU, the SHFC will construct the housing units at the seven hectare lot in Sulangon owned by the City Government of Dapitan which it acquired from a Filipino-Chinese couple in 2003.
The SHFC is the government agency implementing the government’s socialized housing program.
There are now about 160 families, who are members of the Sulangon Heights Homeowners Association Inc., (SHOAI), who qualified for the first batch of the project.
During its ground-breaking ceremony, Mayor Jalosjos said the housing project is a realization of her long-time dream to provide home to the homeless Dapitanons.
Cabling lauded Dapitan City LGU for its cooperation and active participation, willingness to provide a lot for the project, and the development of the project site like the construction of concrete road and drainage canal. Monthly amortization of about P1,807.62, is payable for 30 years by the beneficiaries.
2. Informal settlers get new homes in Bacoor City
November 29, 2019
BACOOR CITY, Cavite – Over 1,400 families who used to live along the riverside, hazardous, and vulnerable areas in the cities of Las Pi?as and Para?aque officially moved into a decent, safe, accessible, and quality housing in Ciudad De Strike 2, Bayanan in Molino 1 here on November 23 . Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) president, lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, city officials led by Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla and Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla and Ciudad de Strike Homeowners Association Inc. president Florencio Parader led the ceremonial turn over of the symbolic key to the housing facility.
Parader, speaking on behalf of his members, expressed gratitude for the project. “Sana ay mas marami pang matulungan para magkaroon ng disenteng pabahay.” (I am hoping more people will benefit from this project which aim to provide decent housing). The housing project was made possible through a memorandum of understanding between the SHFC and the city government of Bacoor for the delivery of quality and community-driven shelter solutions under SHFC’s flagship program Community Mortage Program (CMP).
The CMP is a mortgage financing program of the SHFC which assists legally organized associations of underprivileged and homeless citizens to purchase and develop a tract of land under the concept of community ownership.
Ciudad de Strike 2 has a total of 20 three-story buildings, with each of these accommodating some 72 families.
The PHP648-million project, which started in July 2016 and completed in September this year, is comprised of 1,440 units, each measuring 30 square meters, with a room for a loft.
SHFC is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) created in 2004 through Executive Order No. 272 which mandates the agency to carry out socialized housing programs such as the CMP, “Abot Kaya Pabahay Fund (AKPF) Program and other social housing windows for the benefit of underprivileged communities that belong to the low income bracket.
3. Housing for Bacoor informal settlers to rise in 2021
November 29, 2019
BACOOR CITY, Cavite – More than 1,000 informal settler families (ISFs) living along this city’s coastal and waterways are the target beneficiaries in the new housing project of Social Housing Finance Corp (SHFC) dubbed Ciudad de Strike 1 located at Bayanan, Molino 1 here.
Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla announced that the project is “exclusively for Bacoor City’s ISFs.
During the groundbreaking rites on Saturday of the project site, Revilla was joined by SHFC officials led by its president, lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla.
As part of the memorandum of understanding between the SHFC and the city government of Bacoor, Revilla said the Phase 2 component will accommodate some ISFs from Las Piñas and Parañaque cities.
“Sabi ko to SHFC hati tayo, ganun din dapat ang para sa Bacooreños na talaga namang pinaglaban ng ating mayora at city council,” (I said we divide it, we shall allocate the same to Bacoorenos which our city mayor and council fought for),” Revilla said.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held after the SHFC acquired the three-hectare lot where Ciudad de Stike 1 will rise, which is seen to provide decent, accessible and safe housing for families living in the city’s waterways.
Just like in Ciudad de Strike 2, the Phase 1 project will involve the construction of 20 three-story buildings, accommodating some 72 families per building and the standard housing unit will have a floor area of 30 sq. m. with a room for a loft.
The project’s estimated completion is some time in 2021.
Revilla, the House committee chair on housing and urban development, said he hopes that the SHFC will consider providing a covered court, a health and daycare center, and an integrated school within the housing project premises.
SHFC, a government controlled and controlled corporation (GOCC), is the lead agency assisting underprivileged communities to secure land tenure through shelter financial and development solutions by Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino communities.
4. Gov’t to start building infrastructure in Marawi
November 29, 2019
The construction of new public infrastructure in the most affected area (MAA) in Marawi City will start this December as the retrieval and disposal of unexploded bombs near completion, an official said in Cagayan de Oro City during a press briefing Thursday (Nov. 28).
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairperson of both Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the government can now begin to build infrastructures destroyed by the war in Marawi as the military’s clearing operation of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is already 95 percent complete.
The MAA or Ground Zero, scene of the fiercest battles between the Islamic State-inspired militants and government forces, is already 99 percent cleared of IEDs, the official said.
“The heart and soul of Marawi rehabilitation as far as infrastructure is concerned is focused on the MAA,” Del Rosario said.
TFBM has set the timeframe for the construction of vital government infrastructures between December 2019 and March 2020.
To be given priority are school buildings with 200 classrooms, 24 barangay halls with a health center and a madrasa, 50-bed capacity hospital, and the Grand Padian market. The construction of the Marawi City Police and Bureau of Fire Protection headquarters will follow.
Most of these structures, Del Rosario said, will be built in the reclaimed 10-hectare land owned by the Marawi city government in the MAA.
He said the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi are all sourced from the national budget.
Del Rosario said the government is setting aside PHP3.5 billion from the 2020 budget for the construction of various public infrastructures.
Debris management and the creation of a masterplan–two important components of the Marawi infrastructure rehabilitation efforts–have already been completed, said Roderick Ibañez, National Housing Authority regional director for the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Ibañez said the groundbreaking for the sports complex in Marawi is expected to be held December, “to boost and show that the rehabilitation is moving forward”.
Ibañez announced that there are already over a thousand of Marawi residents that applied for building permits to voluntarily rebuild their own houses and that over 200 households were already given building permits.
5. CABLING BREAKS GROUND FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS HOUSING IN PALAWAN
November 29, 2019
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO COME TO THE AID OF THE DISTRESSED.
The Social Housing Corporation (SHFC), the government lead agency in the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s social housing program for the homeless Filipinos , broke ground on November 28, 2019 for the construction of housing units for 143 victims of Super-typhoon Yolanda in Coron, Palawan.
Super Typhoon Yolanda, international name Typhoon Haiyan, was one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. On making landfall, Haiyan devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, including Palawan in 2013.
6. MAYOR LANI MERCADO-REVILLA “WINS” 1,440 CONDO UNITS FOR BACOOR CITY HOMELESS FAMILIES
November 25, 2019
By ROGER M. BALANZA
In what is seen as an act of generosity, Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla is providing condominium units in Ciudad de Strike 2, a P648-million, 1,440-room socialized housing project funded by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), to several Informal Settler Families (ISF) evicted from danger zones, coastal areas, river ways and other risk areas in neighboring Las Pinas and Paranaque.
Photo: NEW HOMES. Ciudad de Strike 2 Home Owners Association Inc (HOAI) President Florencio Parader (5th from left) receive the ceremonial key from Social Housing Finance Corp (SHFC) President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling (4th from left) and Bacoor city officials, mayor Lani Mercado Revilla (5th from right) and Cavite 2nd district representative Strike Revilla (4th from right) after the ceremonial turnover of housing units at Ciudad de Strike 2, Bayanan, Molino 1 Bacoor City on Saturday, (Nov. 23, 2019). Parader is representing some 1,400 families who used to live in danger zones in Las Piñas, Parañaque cities, are now benefiting from this partnership between the SHFC and the city government of Bacoor.
Ciudad de Strike 2 consists of 20 three-storey buildings that can accommodate 72 families each or a total of 1440 families. The condominium started construction in July 2016 and was completed in September 2019.
The mayor shared the condominium units of 30-sqm each with the displaced families from other local government units (LGUs) even as Bacoor City has its own share of woes over housing for its homeless urban poor.
For her generosity, Mayor Mercado-Revilla practically won another 1,440-room condominium, Ciudad de Strike 1, solely for the homeless of Bacoor City.
The SHFC, the government agency assisting underprivileged communities to attain a better quality of life through shelter financing, agreed to provide additional fund for another Ciudad de Strike condominium for Bacoor City informal settlers, when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bacoor City local government involving social housing funding assistance. In two memorable events on Saturday, November 23, 2019, Mayor Mercado-Revilla and SHFC President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling led the turnover of the fully-completed Ciudad de Strike 2 to beneficiaries that include the displaced ISFs from Las Pinas and Paranaque; and the ground-breaking rites for Ciudad de Strike 1, which will start construction next year.
Mayor Mercado-Revlla’s generosity back-dropped the ground-breaking rites of Ciudad de Strike Phase One in a story that spiced up the speech of SHFC President Cabling.
According to Cabling, Mayor Mercado-Revilla initially opposed relocating the Las Pinas and Paranaque ISFs to the Bacoor City condominium, citing that her city’s ISFs also need housing. The mayor, however, agreed when Cabling offered to provide a P648-million funding for another Ciudad de Strike condominium exclusively for displaced Bacoor City informal settlers.
Aside from Mayor Mercado-Revilla and SHFC President Cabling, the turn-over and ground-breaking events were attended by 2nd District Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Urban Development; Melissa Aradanas, Deputy Secretary-General, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Committee (HUDCC); and Jane Javellana, Presidential Consultant for Western Visayas. Senator Bong Revilla, Senator Francis Tolentino, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development; Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez, Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Urban Development; and Epimaco Densing, Undersecretary for Operations, Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) sent representatives to witness the event. Also in attendance were the 1,440 awardees in the Ciudad de Strike 2 and their families, and the 1,440 soon-to-be-awardees and their families of the Phase 1 condominium.
The Ciudad de Strike condominiums, a High Density Vertical Project of the SHFC, are among the big-ticket projects funded under the CMP of the SHFC as the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte aims to provide houses to homeless Filipinos.
7. SHFC JOINS UNICEF IN WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATION
November 20, 2019
The Philippine government agency implementing the country’s social housing program assured that children’s rights are amply addressed in its housing projects.
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), headed by its President, Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, made this assurance on as the Philippines joined the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in the world-wide celebration of World Children’s Day.
On November 15, SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, together with Estate Management Division OIC-Manager Philip Robert Flores, had a productive discussion with UNICEF Philippines officials, ensuring that the existing and future socialized housing projects of the agency are child-friendly.
“Housing is a human right that facilitates the acquisition of other rights such as children’s rights,” Atty. Payot said. SHFC, in this regard, will continuously build partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF to learn better developmental approaches in forging child-friendly communities. The SHFC flagship program, Community Mortgage Program (CMP), which provides housing loans to community associations, aims to cut down the country’s homeless population of about 6 million.
8. GETTING THE BEST OF SHFC COMMUNITY MORTGAGE PROGRAM (CMP) – Photovideonews
November 20
9. SHFC GRANTS P13.3-M HOUSING LOAN TO 264 BORROWERS IN TORIL, DAVAO CITY
November 20, 2019
A total of 264 families will benefit from the take-out of Sr. Sto. Niño Settlers Homeowners Association, Inc. in Brgy. Marapangi, Toril, Davao City on November 10. SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling awarded the check worth P13.3 million in a ceremony that was also attended by Legal, Partners, Policy Enforcement OIC-Vice President Atty. Ronaldo Saco, Mindanao Operations OIC-Vice President Lawrence Bañiso, Region XI South Area Operations OIC-Manager Bea Chermaine Ranada, and Division Chief Margo Babao.
Mobilized by the Assumption Parish Socio-Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (ASPED), Sr. Sto. Niño Settlers is currently headed by Meriam Alvarado. Also gracing the event were ASPED president Elson Tio, PCUP area coordinator Mitos Milana, 3rd District Councilors Antonette Prinsipe, Atty. Sweet Advincula, and Brgy, Captain Angelita Pizzaro.
10. SHFC GOES HI-TECH ON ACCOUNT INFO
November 7, 2019
GOOD NEWS to housing loan borrowers of the Social Housing Finance Corporation. You can generate your Abstract of Collection and Statement of Account in just a few clicks with Community Association Information System (CAIS) kiosk. It has an interactive touch-screen interface providing flexibility to partner-homeowners on their collection-related information needs.
SHFC going online to give accounts information to borrowers through the CAIS Kiosks is an information technology innovation introduced by SHFC president Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
The CAIS kiosks are readily available at SHFC Makati Office and will soon be deployed to the regional offices.
11. SHFC STILL LEAD AGENCY IN SOCIAL HOUSING PROGRAM
November 7, 2019
TO CONTINUE VITAL FUNCTIONS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
The Social Housing Finance Corporation will remain an autonomous key housing agency amid the passing of Republic Act 11201 or the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
SHFC will be an attached agency, which shall continue to provide affordable shelter solutions for the underprivileged, allowing it to further help the national government in curbing the housing backlog.
The role of the SFHC as the lead agency of the government’s socialized housing program, is stipulated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the DHSUD signed on July 19 at Crowne Plaza Galleria in Quezon City.
The document was signed by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, along with Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board CEO and Commissioner Atty. Lloyd Lao, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) President Dr. Felixberto Bustos, Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti, Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary Janet Abuel, and Civil Service Commission Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala. At the press conference after the IRR signing, Atty. Cabling stressed that SHFC’s housing initiatives will remain community-based. “It is our mandate to build sustainable communities,” he said. “In order to build them, we need to consult with the community from the planning to house design and construction.”
Atty. Cabling added that the agency has also been rolling out livelihood interventions that are tailored to the needs of the community. He shared that SHFC turned over a cashew processing livelihood package for a homeowners association in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in May. More programs aimed at complementing the income of communities are in the pipeline.
Under the IRR, the DHSUD shall be the main planning and policy-making, regulatory program coordination, and performance monitoring entity for all housing, human settlement, and urban development concerns. It also provided for the creation of the National Human Settlement Board, which shall act as the policy-making body and provide program directions to the attached agencies. Aside from SHFC, these agencies include NHMFC, HDMF, and the National Housing Authority.
In his remarks at the ceremony, which was also attended by the law’s principal authors former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and former Negros Occidental Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Del Rosario said the DHSUD is President Rodrigo Duterte’s “whole-hearted gift” to the Filipino people.
RA 11201 was passed in Congress in November 2018 and was signed into law by President Duterte three months later on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2019.
The full implementation of the law will commence on January 1, 2020.
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Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)
Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA
ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
Month of DECEMBER 2019
PUBLISHED NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS (All stories posted in websites DURIAN POST (durianburgdavao.com) and TOPNEWSNOW (topnews1948.com)
1. SHFC IN FACE THE NATION Online Interview December 31, 2019 Topic: COMMUNITY-DRIVEN HOUSING PROGRAMS
With ATTY. MARIA ROSALIE RICHA TAGUIAN, Vice President for Program Development and Enhancement, and CEZAR MACASPAC, Manager for Insurance and Community Enhancement. Hosted by HOWEL MABALOT
2. SHFC, ANGONO sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on socialized housing
December 30, 2019
“Hangad lang natin na pagtibayin ang pangmatagalang pagsasamahan sa SHFC para po sa ating mga kababayan. Para sa lahat ng pamilyang nangangarap magkaroon ng sariling bahay, sana ay ating maisakatuparan.
Kaya po SHFC, maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong pakikiisa sa ating programa.”
– Jeri Mae Calderon. Photo: Angono Municipal Mayor During the SHFC-Angono LGU MOU Signing on November 18, 2019 at Angono Municipal Hall
3. SHFC TO OPEN NEW OFFICE IN QUEZON CITY
December 30, 2019
Kasabay ng pagsusulong ng SOCIAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (SHFC ) ng disente at abot-kayang proyektong pabahay ay ang pagbubukas ng bagong tanggapan ng SHFC sa New HLURB Building, Kalayaan Ave. corner Mayaman St., Quezon City.
Layon ng bagong opisina ay upang mas mapalapit pa ang serbisyo ng ahensya sa mga komunidad, partikular mula sa NCR-North, NCR-Central, at Central Luzon, ayon kay Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, presidente ng SHFC.
4. MINDANAO EARTHQUAKES: 900 quake-hit Kidapawan families get SHFC relief aid
December 30, 2019
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) on December 7 delivered relief goods to more than 900 families in Kidapawan City, Cotabato who were affected by the recent earthquakes that rocked Mindanao. The humanitarian drive was led by Annicia Villafuerte, Vice President for Recovery Projects Department, which was created to enable the agency to respond quickly to the needs of communities displaced by disasters.
“Our hearts are full knowing that this will come a long way for the communities that we support, especially now that Christmas is just around the corner,” said Villafuerte, who is also heading SHFC’s housing initiatives for families left homeless by the Marawi conflict in 2017. “We are very thankful that our effort to provide assistance to the earthquake victims was very successful.”
The 923 beneficiaries of the relief operations, simultaneously held in barangays Singao, Poblacion, Magsaysay, and Lanao, are members of five communities that are under SHFC’s Community Mortgage Program (CMP) namely: Upper Singao, A. Delima, Amurao, Llanderal, and Belarmino homeowners associations. In addition to blankets and tents, the families received rice, water, and groceries to support their daily needs while they try to get their lives back to normal.
“Maraming salamat po sa SHFC sa natanggap naming tulong,” said 67-year-old Norma Sererazo, who spent several days in a makeshift tent in the aftermath of the earthquake. “Malaking bagay po ito sa amin at sa mga kasamahan ko dito sa Llanderal.”
CMP, the flagship program of SHFC, has granted about P15 billion in loan assistance and has funded the forging of more than 2,700 empowered communities since its inception in 1988.
5. Maiden SHFC post-Yolanda disaster housing breaks ground in Coron, Palawan
December 30, 2019 –
Social Housing Finance Corporation’s (SHFC) has joined the rehabilitation efforts of the national government for victims of Yolanda.
The SHFC’s first housing project supporting the survivors of the super-typhon officially broke ground in Palawan on November 28, six years after the super typhoon struck the province. The project, financed under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) Post Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation modality, will benefit a total of 143 families from Guadalupe Homeowners Association, Inc. (HOAI) who live along the coastal areas in the Municipality of Coron.
Groundbreaking ceremony held in Brgy. Guadalupe was led by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling and Mayor Mario Reyes. Also gracing the event were SHFC Board of Directors, Recovery Projects Vice President Annicia Villafuerte, Visayas Operations OIC Vice-President Jesus Eden Cidro, Provincial Information Officer Winston Arzaga, who represented Governor Jose Chavez Alvarez, and community members.
In his speech, Atty. Cabling highlighted the importance of community effort in reducing coastal disaster vulnerability. “Sa patuloy na pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa natin, ng local government, barangay, probinsya, parokya, at iba pang miyembro ng ating komunidad, masisiguro natin na malulutas ang suliraning pabahay para sa mga communities sa coastal areas ng Coron,” he said.
The Post-Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation is one of the new modalities of CMP which provides immediate assistance on disaster-resilient community housing projects and site development during times of disaster. CMP has provided security of tenure to more than 310,000 families and has released about P15 billion in loan assistance since it was launched in 1988.
Taken out in June 2018, Guadalupe HOAI is headed by Enrico Sadang and was mobilized by the provincial government of Palawan.
SHFC is the lead agency assisting underprivileged communities to secure land tenure through shelter financing and development solutions by Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable, and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino communities.
6. Dapitan City gets P52-M SHFC first Vertical CMP project in Mindanao
December 30, 2019
Construction work at Sulangon Heights Homeowners Association, Inc., the first Vertical Community Mortgage Program (CMP) project of Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) in the entire Mindanao region, will continue with the awarding of a check worth P7.5 million to the project contractor in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte on November 29.
Representing the 15 percent mobilization fee, the check was presented by SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling to Siliman Avenue Construction and Supply and Mayor Rosalina “Nene” Jalosjos in a ceremony held at the Dapitan City Hall. Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, Jr., SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, Region IX North OIC-Manager Philip Robert Flores, and Sulangon Heights president Renante Bala also graced the occasion.
In his speech, Atty. Cabling lauded the local government of Dapitan for its continuous support for the initiative, which broke ground in September 2018. He urged partner-homeowners to embody the bayanihan spirit and collectively contribute to the success of the project by religiously settling their monthly obligation with SHFC.
Sulangon Heights, a product of a memorandum of understanding between SHFC and Dapitan City, will benefit a total of 616 families. An initial batch of 160 two-story medium rise housing units will be constructed and will cost P52 million.
SHFC is the lead agency assisting underprivileged communities to secure land tenure through shelter financing and development solutions by Building Adequate Livable Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) for homeless communities.
7. Human Settlements and Urban Development needed in disaster recovery
December 4, 2019
A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday pushed for the full implementation of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which has certain mandates on disaster resilience and recovery, particularly those relating to housing concerns.
Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape.”
“By now, we should have had a DHSUD Secretary involved in ‘Tisoy’ disaster response and recovery particularly on housing concerns,” Salo said.
Salo cited a provision stating that the new department shall formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for the post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.
The law consolidates the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to the Department.
“The HUDCC chairman should update Congress very soon of the status of the DHSUD and inform the legislators of any and all problems that may be delaying the full implementation of RA (Republic Act) 11201,” Salo said.
“Ten months is more than enough time for the implementing rules and the reorganization of the government housing sector into the new DHSUD. In fact, RA 11201 provides a six-month deadline for the transition,” he added, noting that it has been four months after that deadline.
Salo said Congress and its members have the duty and right to exercise oversight authority on the implementation of laws, noting that he is eyeing a congressional inquiry into the matter.
“Sa ngayon malinaw na paliwanag at detalyadong report muna ang kailangan natin mula sa HUDCC. Kailangan nating malaman ang sitwasyon. Sayang ‘yung panahon (For now, what we need is a clear and detailed report from the HUDCC. We need to know the status of the new department. Time should not be wasted),” Salo said.
October 1, 2019
Atty. ARNOLFO RICARDO CABLING President Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Makati, Philippines
Dear Atty. CABLING,
May I have the honor to apply in your corporation for a job that fits my qualification, specifically related to photography and news gathering and reporting. I have basic knowledge and experience in these two disciplines. These are capabilities that earned me a job with the Davao City government: City Information Office (2011-2012) and the City Tourism Office (2012-2013). The job entailed covering and reporting on events of the two offices. In addition, I did news reporting and photography job for the defunct weekly newspaper Davao City-based The Durian Post. I continue to contribute to the paper’s online editions The Durian Post and TopNewsNow! The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) is the government agency providing housing for the homeless poor. In as much as providing shelter to the homeless poor is one of the flagship programs of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, SHFC is also mandated to reach out to a wide sector of the homeless poor in order to maximize information dissemination, particularly through the media, about this vital program of the government. I am confident that as a photographer and news reporter, I would be able to contribute to the effort to spread out to the homeless poor the SHFC social housing programs. With my capability and experience, I am confident that if given the opportunity, I could be an asset in the SHFC mandate to deliver valuable services to our homeless poor.
Very respectfully yours,
SYLVESTER C. BALANZA
——————————————————————————————————————————–
PERSONAL DATA
Name: SYLVESTER CANSANA BALANZA Birthdate: June 1, 1989 Sex: MALE Marital Status: Single Address: Seaside, Durian-Rambutan Sts., NHA Kadayawan, Talomo, Davao City Contacts: Email: sylvester.balanza@yahoo.com. Mobile Phone: 09308945468
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 2nd Year John Paul College Davao City WORK EXPERIENCE: Davao City Information Office 2011-2012 Davao City Tourism Office 2012-2013
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT Month of September 2019
A.
1. SHFC Makati Office – Sept. 4- 6 – for meeting, briefing and instructions from President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling 2. Signed Contract 3. Manila – Sept. 6 – covered/witnessed First Social Housing Convergence in Land Bank Ermita organized by HUDCC/SHFC 4. Davao City, Almendras Gym – Sept. 21 – Witnessed/covered, took photos – SHFC-LGU DAVAO CITY PUBLIC FORUM 5. Davao City, Park Inn Hotel – Sept. 9-11 – Mobilizers Seminar on New Guidelines for the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) and Gender Sensitivity Training.
B. PUBLISHED NEWS REPORTS/PHOTONEWS/COLUMNS (All stories posted in websites DURIAN POST (durianburg.com) and TOPNEWSNOW (topnews1948.com)
1. 3,000 HOMELESS POOR JOIN DAVAO CITY PUBLIC FORUM ON SOCIALIZED HOUSING
About 3,000 homeless poor jam-packed Davao City’s recreation Center on September 21, during a Public Forum on Social Housing organized by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
The forum focused on the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the SHFC flagship program on socialized housing that aims to cut down the number of the country’s homeless families.
Most of the participants were members and officers of homeowners associations which have pending or approved housing loans with SHFC. The CMP uses as conduit for the housing loans the homeowners associations which number about 100 in Davao City.
The event dubbed “SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM,” led by SHFC president lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, was held at the Almendras Gym (Davao City Recreation Center).SHFC, which handles low-cost housing loans for the country’s homeless poor, is a line agency of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) headed by chairman Eduardo del Rosario. Providing a home to homeless Filipinos is among the top priority programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The major focus of the forum was SHFC’s huge funds available for lending that a Local Government Unit (LGU) can avail of for its socialized housing program.
Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste’ Duterte, the event Guest Speaker and who sits as Acting City Mayor, thanked SHFC for its socialized housing program that benefited the Dabawenyos.
His Speech was read for him by City Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III, chairman of the Davao City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
For his part, Zozobrado said his committee and members of the Davao City Council would extend help to homeowners associations seeking permits from the legislative body.
City Hall officials who joined the forum were Roy Ryan Rigor II, Assistant Coordinator/City Planning and Development Office, who welcomed the participants; and Elsie Du, head of the City Housing and Homesite Office.
SHFC officials who contributed inputs during the event were Margo Babao, Chief, Loan administration Department; Lawrence Baniso, Senior Vice President, Mindanao Area Operation Department; Atty. Ronaldo Saco, Legal Partners Policy Enforcement. Gerald Amba, OIC, Region XI South Area Operations, moderated the forum.
SHFC President Cabling’s discussion of the New CMP Modalities became the major focus of the forum. His announcement that the SHFC Board of Directors has approved a resolution pruning down housing loan interest from 6% to 4.5% was loudly applauded by the participants.
Cabling, a Dabawenyo like President Duterte, also offered the loan to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to fund her low-cost housing project to the homeless among the city’s 1.7 million population. The center of trade and commerce in Southern Mindanao, Davao City’s housing woes have been increased by migration of people from other areas looking for opportunities in Mindanao’s most progressive city. Cabling is no stranger to the city’s social housing woes, having been for nine years as City Councilor chaired the Davao City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Cabling is also the author of the Davao City Shelter Code that mapped out the city’s policies on housing and urban development. The latest amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was also hammered out by the committee of Cabling. Also to be presented in the forum will be the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the centerpiece of SHFC’s program for the homeless poor Filipinos, that offers low-interest, long-term house-and-lot loan packages through homeowners associations. SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM is the latest of the nationwide road tour that SHFC has been conducting to promote CMP and the SHFC’s loan package for LGU socialized housing programs.
2. SHFC HOLDS DAVAO CITY PUBLIC FORUM ON SOCIALIZED HOUSING – published in DURIAN POST ONLINE
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) will hold a Public Forum in Davao City on its flagship programs on socialized housing as the agency attempts to cut down the number of homeless families in the home city of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The event dubbed “SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM,” to be led by SHFC president lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, will be held at the Almendras Gym (Davao City Recreation Center) on Saturday, September 21, starting at 1PM. SHFC, which handles low-cost housing loans for the country’s homeless poor, is a line agency of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) headed by chairman Eduardo del Rosario. Providing a home to homeless Filipinos is among the top priority programs of the Duterte administration. Expected to attend the Public Forum are Davao City government officials, barangay officials, the local private housing industry and homeowners associations. The major focus of the forum will be SHFC’s huge funds available for lending that a Local Government Unit (LGU) can avail of for its socialized housing program. Cabling, a Dabawenyo like President Duterte, is expected to offer the loan to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to fund her low-cost housing project to the homeless among the city’s 1.7 million population. The center of trade and commerce in Southern Mindanao, Davao City’s housing woes have been increased by migration of people from other areas looking for opportunities in Mindanao’s most progressive city. Cabling is no stranger to the city’s social housing woes, having been for nine years as City Councilor chaired the Davao City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Cabling is also the author of the Davao City Shelter Code that mapped out the city’s policies on housing and urban development. The latest amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was also hammered out by the committee of Cabling. Also to be presented in the forum will be the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the centerpiece of SHFC’s program for the homeless poor Filipinos, that offers low-interest, long-term house-and-lot loan packages through homeowners associations. SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM is the latest of the nationwide road tour that SHFC has been conducting to promote CMP and the SHFC’s loan package for LGU socialized housing programs.
3. SHFC: EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH GENDER SENSITIVITY – published in DURIAN POST ONLINE
https://durianburg.com/2019/09/19/46099/
By ROGER M. BALANZA
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) promotes gender sensitivity not only in compliance with law but as well as help empower stakeholders especially women housing loan beneficiaries and community organizers.
SHFC, a line agency under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) that is funding the government’s social housing program, is currently holding a nationwide Mobilizers Seminar on Gender Sensivity in relation to the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) also known as the Gender Equality Act.
RA 9710 seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women, especially those in marginalized sector. Under the law, local governments and government agencies are mandated to have a Gender and Development (GAD) program promoting gender sensitivity.
The seminar for Mobilizers is the other half of a two-billed series of seminars in Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR), Visayas and Mindanao highlighted by the Mobilizers Seminar on New Guidelines for the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).
Mobilizers assist SHFC in organizing and assisting homeowners association of homeless families secure loans under the CMP for low-cost housing from the SHFC. After the training, the Mobilizers would eventually be part of the frontliners of SHFC’s ground-level activities on gender sensitivity for the housing loan borrowers.
The seminars have already been held in NCR and Luzon and will be conducted in Cebu City for its Visayas tour by the end of September.The Mindanao leg of the three-day twin seminars, held in Davao City on September 9-11, was attended by about 50 Mobilizers and representatives from Local Government Units (LGUs), said Atty. Salie Taguian, SHFC vice president for Partners Relation.
Taguian said SHFC has earmarked P8 million for the seminars and trainings and other activities related to gender sensitivity.
At the sideline of the Davao City event, Taguian said the SHFC gender sensitivity campaign has a fitting target.
“Most of the officers of the homeowners associations whose members were granted housing loans are women,” she said.
The objective of the Equality Act is to prevent gender-based discrimination and promote equality between women and men, thereby improving the status of women, particularly in working life.
It also seeks perspectives and processes that are participatory and empowering for women, supportive of their self-determination to develop their potentials as key players in social and economic development.
Taguian said the SHFC gender sensitivity seminars are capacity-building efforts that hope to empower women to become leaders and tools of development.
Promotion of gender sensitivity is being strongly pushed by SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
4. COLUMN/DURIAN POST – THE DURIAN BEAT: DAY OF THE HOMELESS PINOY
On that day, the First Social Housing Convergence that gathered all government agencies and other stakeholders concerned with the implementation of the government’s socialized housing program, was held in Manila. Juxtaposed against the country’s housing backlog of more than 6 million, the gathering other than being historic might as well be the best pro-poor action of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the government’s housing agencies.
The Convergence was led by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling. HUDCC is the focal agency of the government’s housing program; SHFC is the financing arm of low-cost socialized housing for the country’s homeless poor. The day-long Convergence, held at the Land Bank of the Philippines Plaza in Ermita and organized by SHFC, was the culminating event of the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship program of the SHFC. The gathering of more than 200 people from government agencies and various stakeholders was spiced up by the attendance of special guests Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, and Negros Occidental Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, vice chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Sen. Tolentino urged social housing stakeholders to join hands in building resilient houses using mass production techniques for the country to meet its target of providing homes to the country’s poor and those displaced by disasters like earthquake and typhoons or moved out of risk areas. Rep. Benitez, for his part, assured the SHFC and all other key shelter agencies of the House support for legislative initiatives on housing and urban development. Benitez also highlighted House Bill 42 or the Local Government-Led In-Site, In-City, or Near-City Resettlement Act. The bill will ensure the sustainability and viability of resettlement sites through access to services and employment opportunities, Benitez said. Rep. Benitez, who represented Rep. Strike Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District), chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, also stressed the key role that SHFC will play in the implentation of Bill 42. Lauding the CMP as a testament to the “bayanihan” spirit of the people, Benitez congratulated SHFC for its “invaluable work on providing flexible, affordable, innovative and responsive shelter solutions to homeless low-income families.” He also praised the agency for its partnership with national agencies, local governments and civil society organizations that resulted to the efficient implementation of the government’s socialized housing programs. Land Bank President and CEO Cecilia “Cecile” C. Borromeo, who welcomed the participants, assured of continuing financial support for the BALAI program, the comprehensive program crafted by housing czar del Rosario. BALAI (Building Adequate, Liveable, Affordable and Inclusive) houses for Filipino Communities, established a unified vision for all government shelter agencies under the supervision of HUDCC to speed up delivery of solutions to the country’s housing woes. What made the Convergence a big success is that the country’s housing program, particularly low-cost housing, earned legislative support of the Senate and the House, continuing funding support from a government bank, willing collaboration of private sector housing community and the various stakeholders. This is a positive brew that could prop up towards success the government’s mission to provide a home to every homeless Pinoy. There are about 4.5 million homeless people in the Philippines of a population of about 106 million, about 3 million of them in Manila, according to the Philippine Statistics Office. Cabling said the SHFC target is 200,000 houses from today up to 2022, for a total number of units of 500,000 built since it was founded 30 years ago. The SHFC over the past three decades poured over P14 billion, under its CMP program, in housing loan assistance to more than 300,000 families. The cost of providing a roof over the heads of the millions of the homeless poor Pinoys may be staggering, but solidarity in purpose and unity in action could help the country resolve the housing woes. As Rep. Benitez, in his speech at the Convergence, said: “Let us work together on achieving our vision and the safety and security of the homeless in a house they can call their own, where opportunities will enable the people to rise from poverty.” (Published in PNA)
5. COLUMN/Philippine News Agency (PNA) – THE DURIAN BEAT: DAY OF THE HOMELESS PINOY
Let us work together on achieving our vision and the safety and security of the homeless in a house they can call their own, where opportunities will enable the people to rise from poverty.”
By Roger Balanza
There is a day that the Pinoy homeless poor should celebrate: September 6, 2019. On that day, government agencies and various stakeholders with a heart and mission to provide a home to every Filipino homeless family congregated to map out a plan to strengthen the government’s socialized housing program.
On that day, the First Social Housing Convergence that gathered all government agencies and other stakeholders concerned with the implementation of the government’s socialized housing program, was held in Manila. Juxtaposed against the country’s housing backlog of more than 6 million, the gathering other than being historic might as well be the best pro-poor action of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and the government’s housing agencies.The Convergence was led by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling. HUDCC is the focal agency of the government’s housing program; SHFC is the financing arm of low-cost socialized housing for the country’s homeless poor. The day-long Convergence, held at the Land Bank of the Philippines Plaza in Ermita and organized by SHFC, was the culminating event of the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the flagship program of the SHFC. The gathering of more than 200 people from government agencies and various stakeholders was spiced up by the attendance of special guests Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, and Negros Occidental Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, vice chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Sen. Tolentino urged social housing stakeholders to join hands in building resilient houses using mass production techniques for the country to meet its target of providing homes to the country’s poor and those displaced by disasters like earthquake and typhoons or moved out of risk areas. Rep. Benitez, for his part, assured the SHFC and all other key shelter agencies of the House support for legislative initiatives on housing and urban development. Benitez also highlighted House Bill 42 or the Local Government-Led In-Site, In-City, or Near-City Resettlement Act. The bill will ensure the sustainability and viability of resettlement sites through access to services and employment opportunities, Benitez said. Rep. Benitez, who represented Rep. Strike Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District), chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, also stressed the key role that SHFC will play in the implentation of Bill 42. Lauding the CMP as a testament to the “bayanihan” spirit of the people, Benitez congratulated SHFC for its “invaluable work on providing flexible, affordable, innovative and responsive shelter solutions to homeless low-income families.” He also praised the agency for its partnership with national agencies, local governments and civil society organizations that resulted to the efficient implementation of the government’s socialized housing programs. Land Bank President and CEO Cecilia “Cecile” C. Borromeo, who welcomed the participants, assured of continuing financial support for the BALAI program, the comprehensive program crafted by housing czar del Rosario. BALAI (Building Adequate, Liveable, Affordable and Inclusive) houses for Filipino Communities, established a unified vision for all government shelter agencies under the supervision of HUDCC to speed up delivery of solutions to the country’s housing woes. What made the Convergence a big success is that the country’s housing program, particularly low-cost housing, earned legislative support of the Senate and the House, continuing funding support from a government bank, willing collaboration of private sector housing community and the various stakeholders. This is a positive brew that could prop up towards success the government’s mission to provide a home to every homeless Pinoy. There are about 4.5 million homeless people in the Philippines of a population of about 106 million, about 3 million of them in Manila, according to the Philippine Statistics Office. Cabling said the SHFC target is 200,000 houses from today up to 2022, for a total number of units of 500,000 built since it was founded 30 years ago. The SHFC over the past three decades poured over P14 billion, under its CMP program, in housing loan assistance to more than 300,000 families. The cost of providing a roof over the heads of the millions of the homeless poor Pinoys may be staggering, but solidarity in purpose and unity in action could help the country resolve the housing woes. As Rep. Benitez, in his speech at the Convergence, said: “Let us work together on achieving our vision and the safety and security of the homeless in a house they can call their own, where opportunities will enable the people to rise from poverty.” (Published in PNA)
6. ANGARA WANTS SHORTER TIME FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROCESSING
Senator Sonny Angara on Friday, September 13, pushed for the streamlining and simplifying of the issuance of housing-related clearances and permits through the creation of one-stop processing centers to address the backlog in the construction of settlements for the informal sector.
Angara warned that the national housing backlog would worsen and turn into a national housing crisis if the bureaucratic red tape in government housing agencies is not reduced.
Based on future demand and the current pace of production, the backlog in housing units is forecast to hit 6.6 million by 2022, from 5.5 million in 2016.
For the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the pre-construction processing time for its Community Mortgage Program projects is between 16 to 74 months, according to the Senator.
“But we can ramp up production by improving the regulatory environment. When there is ease in doing business, financing comes in, and with volume comes affordability,” Angara said.
Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SHFC president, said his agency targets 300,000 low-cost housing by 2022 to add up to its current account of 200,000. The SHFC mandate is to provide housing to the homeless poor.
Cabling bared the figure on September 6, at the First Socialized Housing Convergence held in Manila. The Convergence was attended by government agencies and stakeholders in the socialized housing sector.
The Convergence, one of the highlights of the 31st anniversary celebration of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the socialized housing flagship of the SHFC, was organized by SHFC and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) headed by chairman Eduardo del Rosario.
Angara said the mandate of several anti-red tape laws should be applied to housing “not just in national government agencies but also in local governments.”
The senator particularly cited Republic Act 10884, which requires the establishment of socialized housing one-stop processing centers.
Angara said building a house is a slog through 27 offices, 78 permits, 156 signatures, 373 documents that could last for months.
For socialized or affordable mass housing, pre-construction processing time could last up to 74 months, if it involves land conversion, titling, and financing, he noted.
“Before you pour your first pail of cement, you have to follow a long paper trail. And many families do not have the energy for that,“ he said.
Angara said government housing officials have reported to him that it normally takes the National Housing Authority 12 to 30 months to get a green light for construction. (with PNA report)
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) will be in the lead in developing, administering and undertaking social housing programs that will cater to the housing needs of the poorest of the poor, in the proposed bill authored by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go that aims to address the housing plight of formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket.
Go said Senate Bill No. 203, or the proposed National Housing Development, Production and Financing Act of 2019, is in support of the Duterte administration’s aim to address the need for affordable, accessible and quality housing in the country.
The bill mandates the crafting of a National Housing Development Production and Financing Program to be implemented by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and its attached key shelter agencies.
Go announced this after recently joining President Duterte in the groundbreaking of a relocation site for victims of a 2018 landslide in Naga City, Cebu.
Based on the Go measure, NHA will be the lead agency tasked to develop and implement various types of housing programs intended for the bottom 30 percent of the income population.
Some of these programs are resettlement, housing programs for low-salaried government employees, settlements upgrading, housing programs of calamity victims, and land banking.
As for the housing plight of formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket, the draft legislation mandates the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to develop, administer and undertake social housing programs that will cater to the housing needs of the poorest of the poor.
The proposed law also tasks the National Home Mortga ge Finance Corporation (NHMFC) to increase the availability of affordable housing loans to finance Filipino homebuyers, and for the DHSUD to manage housing, human settlements, and urban development.
To encourage private sector participation in the program, pertinent government agencies are mandated to facilitate the release of the required housing-related permits, licenses, certifications, and tax exemptions and rulings in accordance with the Ease of Doing Business Act.
“Dapat sa susunod na mga taon, wala nang squatter sa sariling bayan. This measure aims to address the 6.5-million housing gap over the period of 20 years,” Go said in past statements. (Hopefully, there will be no more Filipinos considered as a squatter in his own country.)
The government is expected to build 192 housing units in the Cebu area to be awarded to some of the families that were displaced when a landslide occurred in Sitios Sindulan III and Tagaytay of Barangay Tinaan on September 20, 2018.
Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) triggered the landslide, which affected more than 8,000 individuals and caused the death of more than 70 people.
“This event is a fulfillment of our promise to provide an affordable and sustainable resettlement site for the victims,” Duterte said in his speech.
The President also said that the beneficiaries will not be required to pay for the housing units.
“I order the National Housing Authority to give as a gift the housing units in the Naga permanent housing project,” he added.
“All of these, the house and the lot, will be given to you for free,” he stressed.
The victims of the landslide had to be relocated to a two-hectare portion of the Balili property in Barangay Tinaan because their original settlement had been declared unsafe by the authorities. The Cebu provincial government donated the property to the city of Naga. (Manila Bulletin)
8. SENATE, HOUSE VOW SUPPORT FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING
MANILA – Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) has assured full support of the House for legislation to further strengthen the government’s social housing programs.
Benitez, vice chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, made the assurance Thursday, September 6, in his speech at the First Social Housing Convergence that gathered all government agencies and other stakeholders concerned with the implementation of the government’s socialized housing programs. The day-long Convergence, held at the Land Bank of the Philippines Plaza in Ermita in Manila and organized by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), was the culminating event of the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Community Mortgagw Program (CMP)
The Convergence was led by Secretary Eduardo del Rosario of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and SHFC President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling. The special guest was Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
Tolentino urged social housing stakeholders to join hands in building resilient houses using mass production techniques for the country to meet its target of providing homes to the country’s poor and those displaced by disasters like earthquake and typhoons. Cabling said the SHFC target is 500,000 houses by 2022. Assuring the SHFC and all other key shelter agencies of the House support for legislative initiatives on housing and urban development, Benitez highlighted House Bill 42 or the Local Government-Led In-Site, In-City, or Near-City Resettlement Act. The bill will ensure the sustainability and viability of resettlement sites through access to services and employment opportunities, Benitez said. Benitez also stressed the key role that SHFC will play in the implentation of Bill 42. “Let us work together on achieving your vision and the safety and security of the homeless in a house they can call their own, where opportunities will enable the people to rise from poverty,” said Benitez who represented Rep. Strike Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District), chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Lauding the CMP as a testament to the “bayanihan” spirit of the people, Benitez congratulated SHFC for its “invaluable work on providing flexible, affordable, innovative and responsive shelter solutions to low-income families especially the homeless. He also praised the agency for its partnership with national agencies, local governments and civil society organizations that resulted to the efficient implementation of the government’s socialized housing programs.
9. CABLING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: AVAIL OF SHFC HOUSING PROGRAM
A GOVERNMENT shelter official urged local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to avail themselves of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) housing loan services in providing housing needs of its constituents.
During the recent joint Provincial Development Council (PDC) and Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting at the Negros First Residences, SHFC president and lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling said the country has 6.5 million housing backlog and is still growing.
The housing agency he said offers lot and housing acquisition at an affordable rate of 4.5 percent per annum, 30 years to pay depending on the LGU’s needs.
Beneficiaries may also opt to own a property through usufruct for 99 years, he added.
He cited San Carlos City that has a resettlement area having site development like road network, drainage, septic tank and lot but has no housing component. The city has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the SHFC for a housing project.
San Carlos City alone could have around 20,000 to 50,000 housing needs and Bacolod City could have a bigger housing needs as a booming area, he said.
“There’s a need to partner with LGUs. It is high time to give our constituents a comfortable shelter,” Cabling said.
Negros Occidental is a fast developing province that has been hit by typhoons in the past.
“The law states that areas in danger zones must be secured,” he pointed out.
He said the SHFC is exploring partnership with the Provincial Government to develop a housing project for provincial and national government employees.
SHFC is one of the government’s shelter agencies and is attached with the Human Settlements.
“I hope LGUs here will work with us, after all we provided very flexible shelter solutions,” he said
10. SHFC, DavOr to construct 50K low-cost housing units
The provincial government of Davao Oriental has targeted a total of 50,000 housing units to be constructed in the next three years to address the housing backlog in the province.
Flordeliza Tabanao, Provincial Task Force on Socialized Housing Chief, said after the ground-breaking ceremony for the first batch covering Phases 1 to 3 of the project.
Tabanao added that the project was funded by the Socialized Housing Finance Corp.
Dabawenyo Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling is the president of the SHFC, the funding agency of the government’s social housing program.
With a lot area of 15 hectares, beneficiaries can own a 100-square-meter lot for PHP2,800 a month over 25 years.
The Provincial Housing Task Force has organized the beneficiaries, now called the Mandaya-Muslim-Bisaya Homeowners Association Inc., as instructed by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang.
In an interview with Tabanao on Friday, she said Phase 1 consists of 256 units, while Phase 2 has 247 units. There are 240 units in Phase 3 and 103 units on Phase 4.
“This is only the first batch. Rest assured that there will be more available units in the coming months. In fact, we will be drawing lots tomorrow (July 6) for the beneficiaries of the next batch,” she added.
The provincial government will prioritize residents in low-lying areas and those directly affected by the implementation of government projects.
“This is our way of helping our homeless populace. Any local resident can avail of the project as long as he does not own a house and lot. We do not want to deprive them of the opportunity to own their own house and lot,” Dayanghirang said.
The SHFC will pay the Tolentino family, who is the owner of the lot, in the next two months, and as such, construction of the houses will immediately start.
Tabanao said the beneficiaries can occupy their houses as soon as construction is completed next year.
The provincial government of Davao Oriental has appealed to the local government units to fast-track their compliance with the necessary documents so they can avail of the SHFC funding.
“They better do it quickly because the allocation of the SHFC is yearly and on a first-come, first-served basis. If they cannot do it, the provincial government will do it for them. This is how serious we are in helping them,” Dayanghirang said.
A momentous event for the housing industry took place on July 19, 2019 with the signing of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act No. 11201 or the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City.
SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling signed the document, along with HUDCC Chairperson Eduardo del Rosario, HLURB CEO and Commissioner Atty. Lloyd Lao, NHMFC President Dr. Felixberto Bustos, HDMF CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti, Department of Budget and Management Usec. Janet Abuel, and Civil Service Commission Chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala.
Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and former Congressman Alberto “Albee” Benitez” were awarded with a plaque of recognition for their role as prime movers in the passage of the law. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, meanwhile, received a plaque of appreciation for imparting valuable insights as keynote speaker.
Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) Consultant: ROGELIO M. BALANZA ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT Period: October 1-31 2019
A. ACTIVITIES
1. October 1-13, 2019 – SICK LEAVE (pneumonia)
2. OCTOBER 14, 2019 , SHFC Office, Davao City – Meeting for instructions, info-sharing with Pres. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling
3. October 30, 2019 – Digos City, Davao del Sur – MOU SIGNING, Governor Douglas Cagas, SHFC President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling
B. PUBLISHED NEWS, VIDEOPHOTONEWS. (All stories posted in websites DURIAN POST (durianburg.com) and TOPNEWSNOW (topnews1948.com)
1. 3,000 HOMELESS POOR JOIN DAVAO CITY PUBLIC FORUM ON SOCIALIZED HOUSING
About 3,000 homeless poor jam-packed Davao City’s recreation Center on September 21, during a Public Forum on Social Housing organized by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
The forum focused on the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the SHFC flagship program on socialized housing that aims to cut down the number of the country’s homeless families
Most of the participants were members and officers of homeowners associations which have pending or approved housing loans with SHFC. The CMP uses as conduit for the housing loans the homeowners associations which number about 100 in Davao City.
The event dubbed “SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM,” led by SHFC president lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, was held at the Almendras Gym (Davao City Recreation Center).SHFC, which handles low-cost housing loans for the country’s homeless poor, is a line agency of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) headed by chairman Eduardo del Rosario. Providing a home to homeless Filipinos is among the top priority programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The major focus of the forum was SHFC’s huge funds available for lending that a Local Government Unit (LGU) can avail of for its socialized housing program.
Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste’ Duterte, the event Guest Speaker and who sits as Acting City Mayor, thanked SHFC for its socialized housing program that benefited the Dabawenyos.
His Speech was read for him by City Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III, chairman of the Davao City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Development.
For his part, Zozobrado said his committee and members of the Davao City Council would extend help to homeowners associations seeking permits from the legislative body.
City Hall officials who joined the forum were Roy Ryan Rigor II, Assistant Coordinator/City Planning and Development Office, who welcomed the participants; and Elsie Du, head of the City Housing and Homesite Office.
SHFC officials who contributed inputs during the event were Margo Babao, Chief, Loan administration Department; Lawrence Baniso, Senior Vice President, Mindanao Area Operation Department; Atty. Ronaldo Saco, Legal Partners Policy Enforcement. Gerald Amba, OIC, Region XI South Area Operations, moderated the forum.
SHFC President Cabling’s discussion of the New CMP Modalities became the major focus of the forum. His announcement that the SHFC Board of Directors has approved a resolution pruning down housing loan interest from 6% to 4.5% was loudly applauded by the participants.
Cabling, a Dabawenyo like President Duterte, also offered the loan to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to fund her low-cost housing project to the homeless among the city’s 1.7 million population. The center of trade and commerce in Southern Mindanao, Davao City’s housing woes have been increased by migration of people from other areas looking for opportunities in Mindanao’s most progressive city. Cabling is no stranger to the city’s social housing woes, having been for nine years as City Councilor chaired the Davao City Council Committee on Housing and Urban Development. Cabling is also the author of the Davao City Shelter Code that mapped out the city’s policies on housing and urban development. The latest amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was also hammered out by the committee of Cabling. Also to be presented in the forum will be the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the centerpiece of SHFC’s program for the homeless poor Filipinos, that offers low-interest, long-term house-and-lot loan packages through homeowners associations. SHFC-DAVAO SHELTER PARTNERSHIP PUBLIC FORUM is the latest of the nationwide road tour that SHFC has been conducting to promote CMP and the SHFC’s loan package for LGU socialized housing programs.
Marikina City is now free of illegal settlers through the help of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC).
City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said SHFC through its Community Mortgage Program (CMP) ensured through housing loans the security of land tenure of about 9,000 Informal Family Settlers (ISF).
“Because of the relentless efforts of the local government the city is now free from illegal settlers. Matatas ko pong masasabi na wala na kaming illegal settlers dahil sa aming mga proyekto para mga tao, at lalo na dahil sa tulong ng (I can proudly say that we no longer have illegal settlers because of our projects for the people, especially with the help of) SHFC,” Mayor Teodoro said in his speech, during the 31st anniversary of the SHFC’s CMP at the GSIS Gym in Marikina City last
Lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SFHC president, in his speech during the event, commended Mayor Teodoro for Marikina City’s strong coordination with SHFC in addressing the city’s housing woes.
The coordination with local governments plays a very important role in our effort of providing resilient and sustainable communities to the homeless, said Cabling.
Mayor Teodoro congratulated the SFHC, saying “it has not been an easy feat implementing the CMP, which is consistently providing opportunities to organize families into sustainable and resilient communities.”
He said that since 1992, of the 246 community associations in Marikina, 166 or almost 70 percent already attained security of land tenure and from this, 90 communities underwent the CMP. This translates to more than 9,000 families aided by the SHFC.
“Itong siyam libong pamilya pong ito na inyong natulungan ay masaya at tahimik ngayon na naninirahan, walang pangambang baka minsan ay matanggalan ng matutuluyan o masisilungan (These 9,000 families whom you have helped are now happy and are peacefully living without thinking that their shelter will be taken away from them) ,” the local chief executive noted.
The mayor noted that Marikina has been a partner of the agency for almost 27 years in improving the living conditions of the homeless and underprivileged through affordable financing.
“The affordable financing of SFHC provides the opportunity to secure tenure on the land that has been their home for the longest time,” Teodoro said.
Nena V. Tiglao, Marikina City Land Management and Community Relations Division chief, said the land distribution was intensified in their city following the order of Teodoro because he wants all residents to own land.
Over 100 households from Metro Manila received their respective transfer certificate of title from the SHFC during the program. They are now part of the more than 300,000 families who have attained land tenure security since the inception of CMP in 1988, the agency said.
Senator Francis Tolentino, who also graced the event, lauded the city government of Marikina for its relentless effort in improving the lives of the residents by providing them lots.
“It is not enough that you are awarded individual titles. What should be more effective is that we have titles that should lead to a resilient and sustainable community,” the lawmaker said. (with PNA report)
4. EASTERN VISAYAS RDC WANTS SHFC REGIONAL OFFICE IN TACLOBAN
The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) is pushing for the establishment of a regional office in Tacloban City of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to supervise its housing projects in the region.
The RDC also wants the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to set up a regional office in the city, among cities ravaged by Super-typhoon Yolanda.
The RDC is pushing for the setting up of these two offices to eliminate corruption in the implementation of community-based housing projects and fast-track the issuance of clearances and licenses for housing activities.
Lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling is president of the SHFC, the lead agency implementing the government’s socialized housing program.
Lloyd Christopher Lao is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the HLURB, the primary agency mandated to provide technical assistance in the preparation, review, and approval of Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of local government units.
Eastern Visayas’ highest policy-making body sent the resolutions approved on June 21, 2019, to the Office of the President and to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
But the RDC is still waiting for the central government’s response on the resolutions requesting for the establishment of regional offices of the two government agencies.
National Economic and Development Authority regional director Meylene Rosales, the RDC’s vice-chairperson, however said that they are upbeat on the positive response of the President Rodrigo Duterte and HUDCC chairman Eduardo del Rosario.
The RDC pushed for setting up of these two offices to eliminate corruption in the implementation of community-based housing projects and fast-track the issuance of clearances and licenses for housing activities.
“There was an issue raised on the alleged irregular collection of fees from the beneficiaries of the government’s permanent housing project implemented through SHFC. The major factor behind this was the absence of their field office here in the region to monitor projects,” Rosales said in a report in the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Early this year, hundreds of housing beneficiaries have filed cases against a community housing organizer and her accomplices for overpricing of land acquisition, non-remittance of payments, and illegal collection of fees from recipients housing projects funded by SHFC.
Meanwhile, the absence of HLURB regional office has slowed down the pace of housing projects due to the lack of personnel and absence of authority to monitor and resolve issues and approve plans and applications for clearances and licenses.
“RDC members agreed that the presence of a fully staffed HLURB and SHFC offices in the region is important to regulate and monitor the implementation of remaining Yolanda resettlement projects and other ongoing and future housing projects,” Rosales said.
The HLURB regional office in this city has stopped its operation in 2010 after the merger of two field offices in Cebu and Tacloban due to the implementation of the Government Rationalization Program.
The agency has been maintaining a desk at the Government Service Insurance System office in this city to answer public queries. All transactions from the region have to go through the regional office in Cebu City.
All development and constructions on land of towns and cities without the CLUP will have to get the approval of the HLURB office in Cebu.
As of 2018, only 85 percent of the region’s 143 towns and cities have approved CLUPs.
5. P300-MILLION 625-unit tenement for the poor to rise in Lucena City
Lucena City Mayor Roderick Alcala and Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) president Arnulfo Cabling led the groundbreaking ceremony for the five-story tenement building in Barangay Marketview in Lucena City early this month.
Alcala said the tenement will house 625 indigent families, each to be given a 23-square meter floor area with room for a loft, with a minimal monthly amortization.
He said families living in high-risk areas such as riverbanks are prioritized in this joint project of the city government and SHFC that is being funded with close to PHP300 million.
Alcala said the project, the first in Calabarzon region, is in response to requests received by his office by families who lack a decent shelter.
Marketview barangay chairman Edwin Napule thanked the city government for choosing his village as the pilot beneficiary of the low-cost housing project.
He said they will make sure the intended occupants will really reside in the tenement and not rent out their unit to other people.
Alcala said the housing project is expected to be completed within 36 months. (PNA)
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) could be considered obscure to many, but the youngest government agency caters to the housing needs of both formal and informal settlers facing ejection or demolition of their abodes.
Fifteen years since its formation, the SHFC provides not only individual shelters to displaced families but communities as well, complete with livelihood programs for their sustainability.
While still a fledgling in the housing industry and small in size, the SHFC has already made its impact by providing not only affordable homes but sustainable and resilient communities.
During the “Straight Talk with Daily Tribune”, on Tuesday, October 15, SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling emphasized that SHFC is mandated not only to provide affordable houses to those belonging to the low-income bracket, but to build progressive communities, too.
From its creation by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, SHFC has already built 2,723 communities throughout the country –mostly occupied by the displaced poorest of the poor, who lost their houses either through eviction or relocation.
The SHFC has provided security of tenure to 311,914 informal settler families (ISF) in various parts of the country.
“The mandate of social housing is to provide shelter provision at the lowest possible interest rate for both formal and informal sectors belonging to the lowest income bracket of the society,” Cabling explained.
“We started with providing security of tenure to on-site communities, formal communities occupying private or government lands facing threats of demolition, or they are about to be removed or ejected from the property,” he added.
The SHFC’s flagship housing initiative is aptly called Community Mortgage Program (CMP), anchored on the unique Filipino tradition of “Bayanihan.”
“It’s community-based, it’s a community effort. That’s the way to lower down the cost. Why? We tap the members of the community to help – from the local government up to the barangay level,” Cabling explained.
“Even the ordinary people, we do ‘bayanihan’ in constructing canals, drainage. That’s the way we could reduce the cost,” he added.
Under the program, Cabling said that the beneficiaries are involved from the planning, choosing the areas of relocation, up to the actual design of their homes based on the community’s capability to pay.
“We empower the people and teach them how to negotiate so that they can haggle with the land owners. And then, they borrow money from us to pay the land owners, payable in 25 years with six percent annual interest rate based on diminishing balance,” Cabling added.
“It’s a partnership, it’s people-planned program. We work together –from site preferences to the design,” he said.
While short in personnel of only about 200 scattered nationwide, Cabling said SHFC deploys representatives to help organize communities facing ejectment or demolition.
“That is our mandate, we organize communities so that they can avail (of government’s housing program),” said Cabling.
Under the CMP, beneficiaries apply as one community and not as individuals, unlike in other housing agencies where individual members could avail.
The concept, Cabling said, contribute to the high rate of occupancy of SHFC projects.
“With this, we maintain the sense of neighborhood. There is less adjustment when they relocate to other areas, so the occupancy rate, while it is not perfect, it’s good,” Cabling said.
“And we don’t just build communities, we build sustainable and resilient communities –meaning we have livelihood components,” he added.
Cabling cited the community SHFC set up in Palawan where the beneficiaries were provided with income opportunity in the cashew industry.
The SHFC president, however, noted the challenges in pursuing their projects –from documentary to opposition by some local government units (LGU) to host the relocated communities.
“Every project is a struggle, but at the end of the day, every project is a success story after its completion,” said Cabling, who served as Davao City councilor under President Rodrigo Duterte and daughter and incumbent Mayor Sara Duterte.
As of December 2018, SHFC has already granted P14.81 billion loan assistance with a collection efficiency rate of 74.31 percent. So far, the corporation has established partnership with 56 LGU throughout the country.
7. SHFC AND UN-HABITAT – PLAYING KEY ROLES IN REBUILDING MARAWI CITY
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) have partnered in the efforts to rebuild Marawi City.
UN-Habitat and SHFC broke ground on Thursday, October 18, for a permanent housing project for 109 families in Marawi City, the latest of their joint ventures to resettle families displaced by the 2017 siege by terrorists of the country’s Muslim city.
Located in Barangay West Dulay, the housing project is intended for families in four villages whose houses are located within the six-meter easement of the Agus River and within the 20-meter easement of Lake Lanao.
Local officials maintained that houses within these easements remain unsafe, and are within the government’s “no-build” zones.
UN-Habitat said the project is part of its commitment to build 1,500 permanent housing units in Marawi through the PHP500-million funding granted by the Japanese government.
In West Dulay, UN-Habitat partnered with SHFC for the purchase of the 1.8-hectare land, one of the two properties acquired early this year to jumpstart the “Rebuilding Marawi City through Community-driven Shelter and Livelihood Support” initiative.
In January, SHFC held a groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Dulay Proper for the construction of 800 permanent housing units for the families from the most affected area (MAA).
SHFC President Arnolfo Cabling explained that the delay was caused by the unexpected challenges they met, such as the purchase of land.
“Lot acquisition has been our problem…with respect to lot ownership, titles and many others,” Cabling said.
UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager, Christopher Rollo, said that the construction of the shelter units will be carried out through an approach called the “People’s Process” that places the community’s needs and their rights at the center of their recovery and rehabilitation.
Rollo elaborated that “this project emphasizes the direct involvement of the families or home partners in the decision making and the construction of their shelter units.”
“The partner communities underwent a series of workshops to be informed of the best structural design of their houses along with religious and cultural considerations,” he said.
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario reiterated the government’s pledge in bringing normalcy back to the city by December 2021 as indicated in their original timeline.
According to Del Rosario, several activities organized by the Task Force Bangon Marawi comprised of 56 member-agencies had been lined up to commemorate the historic event.
He also wants to give importance to the heroism of soldiers who lost their lives during the five-month siege, as well as the resilience of both the government and affected communities. (with PNA report)
8. DEL ROSARIO: In full blast soon, massive construction of houses for displaced Marawi siege victims
The construction site of the housing units for 100 families from Barangay West Dulay, who were displaced by the Marawi siege, broke ground on Thursday, October 17, during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the capital’s liberation from Islamic State-inspired terrorists.
The ceremony in Marawi City was part of the reporting event for the media organized by Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), the Presidential Communications Operations Office, and the Philippine Information Agency to show the progress of the government’s rehabilitation and recovery efforts for those affected by the Battle of Marawi.
Present during the event were TFBM chairperson and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario; Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra; Sultan Nasser Sampaco; Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) president, lawyer Arnolfo Cabling; members of the SHFC Board of Directors Lyndon Catulong Sr. and Ronald Barcena; UN-Habitat project manager Warren Ubongen; and contractor Fiat-a Macarambon.
In his speech, del Rosario gave a message of hope to thousands of the city’s internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“We are now ready to start with the construction of permanent housing units for the IDPs,” he told the beneficiaries, who have been living along the three-meter easement of the Agus River and Lake Lanao.
Aside from the 109 housing units that will be built in the coming months, del Rosario also noted that the TFBM secured 500 units of permanent shelters last week with the help of UN-Habitat and the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) headed by president lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
He said that with the 500 units already secured and the 109 units that broke ground, they already have 609 units, but still need to fast-track the rest of the 1,500 units promised by UN-Habitat, otherwise the remaining fund would be given back by March 31 next year.
Del Rosario said that by the end of October, they would declare the most affected area (MAA) in Marawi – the Ground Zero — cleared of bombs and hazards, having detected and recovered 625 explosives so far.
The NHA, he added, would declare the completion of damaged structures in the MAA by November 30.
“By the first quarter of next year, most of the projects that will be constructed in the MAA will start. That is why we are certain of our timetable. We have been saying that we are on track and we will complete the rehabilitation of Marawi by December 2021,” del Rosario said.
The processing of building permit applications for structures by residents in the MAA, began last July 30, allowing them to demolish the damaged houses from sectors 1 to 7 of the MAA and start architectural and engineering plans.
The Subcommittee on Housing, headed by the HUDCC and NHA, is already monitoring the temporary shelter units at the Biyaya ng Pagbabago Sagonsongan Transitory Site, which will accommodate 1,052 displaced households for Areas 1 to 6.
An additional 300 temporary shelter units in Area 8 are also under construction. At the Boganga Lakeview Shelter Site alone, 814 out of the 1,500 target housing units have been completed and 687 of these are already occupied by the displaced families.
In Barangay Rorogagus, a total of 1,000 housing units are being constructed in two sites and another 1,000 units will also be constructed in Barangay Dulay.
For the permanent housing, a total of 2,000 units will be constructed in Pamayandeg sa Ranaw Residences in barangays Kilala and Gadongan.
Apart from these housing units, the NHA will also construct two five-story low-rise buildings and one three-story multi-purpose building with a covered basketball court in Barangay Papandayan in Marawi.
“By December of 2021, I think 95 percent of the structures have been built. And Marawi City will be a prosperous city again, as promised by our President (Rodrigo Duterte),” del Rosario said.
He also floated the swift passage of an executive order (EO) that seeks to make the NHA the lead agency in undertaking key rehabilitation projects in the war-torn capital of Lanao del Sur, saying that the EO would authorize the NHA to undertake the unified road networks, electrical and water utilities, and telecommunication projects.
Del Rosario said that one agency should integrate the budget “because if all the agencies involved will do the road networks and the procurement processes for the water, electricity, and telecommunications have not (been) finalized yet, then everything will diverge,” he said.
Del Rosario said they were expecting the EO to be released this month as it has been with the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea since last month.
It can be recalled that two years ago, the President announced the liberation of Marawi City after a gruelling five-month conflict to fend off Islamic State-inspired terrorists.
Since then, the task force’s 56 member agencies have continuously worked together to bring the lives of the residents back to normal through efforts in several areas.
For livelihood, micro, small and medium entrepreneurs of Marawi City have earned a total of PHP722,140 during the Bangon Marawi Trade Fair. On medical and health services, the Department of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization – Philippines and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, targeted 134,441 children who were less than five years old across 39 municipalities in Lanao del Sur for its campaign against polio.
On relief services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed hygiene kits, family kits, food packs, and malongs to displaced families in transitory shelters. Taiwan, through the World Vision Philippines, also donated a total of 66,000 sacks of rice at 30 kg. per sack for the displaced families.
For skills training, the Department of Information and Communications Technology conducted a workshop for 100 IDP scholars on online freelancing jobs and the IT-BPM industry for the countryside, as well as a workshop for 25 IDP scholars on social media marketing and advertising technical training.
The residents and rebel returnees in Butig, Lanao del Sur have availed of the different government services and programs during the Kumpas Barangay: Information-Serbisyo Caravan from various government line agencies.
The Department of Public Works and Highways’ contractors, in charge of the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Banggolo, Mapandi, and Pumping bridges, have also started reconstructing 18.97 km. of the Transcentral Roads, with funding from the Official Development Assistance of the government of Japan for the war-torn city.
9. CABLING: Cavite subdivision for informal settler families (ISF) along PNR Manila-Laguna railway.
This is what the Duterte administration, through the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), is offering to some 12,000 families living along railways from Manila to Laguna.
Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, SHFC president, told Daily Tribune that the agency was tapped by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) as partner in relocating informal settler families (ISF) living along the Philippine National Railway’s (PNR) Tutuban-Calamba route.
Cabling said SHFC already found the land to develop subdivision-like communities in Tanza, Cavite acquired for the ISF who will be affected by the PNR project.
He stressed that the effort to relocate the 11,000 to 12,000 families is a whole-of-government program, citing the SHFC was able to acquire the land in Tanza from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
“Here, we see the various government agencies working together to provide better living conditions to the affected ISF,” Cabling said.
“On our part, the SHFC was tapped by the DoTr because of our past experiences in building communities for victims of typhoon ‘Ondoy.’ The DoTr is engaging our partnership to relocate those living along the Tutuban-Calamba route,” he added.
Cabling said the SHFC has already paid 20 percent of the total cost of the Tanza property to BSP two weeks ago.
“They (DoTr) had downloaded money to us. We are already starting it,” he said.
SHFC model horizontal homes have a 24-square meter floor area with provisions for a loft and cost only P580,000. The loan is subject to only six percent annual interest, payable up to 25 years.
Cabling said coordination with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is funding the Tutuban-Calamba section of the project, has started.
He said the SHFC had organized the affected ISF down to the barangay level to engage the families from the planning stage up.
The official explained that it has been the practice of SHFC to involve the ISF themselves in all stages of the relocation project.
“We are not only building homes. SHFC is building communities — resilient and sustainable communities. We have a livelihood component,” Cabling said.
“We engage them (ISF) from the very beginning. We plan together as a group. So, they have a voice in undertaking the project,” he added.
As part of the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, the DoTr is reviving the PNR via the P777 billion North-South Commuter Railway Systems, one of the big-ticket projects of the current government.
The project is composed of 36 stations traversing various cities and municipalities in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
Cabling said the National Housing Authority was tapped to take care of the affected ISF along the north line from Manila to Clark in Pampanga.
In the 1990s, a sitcom entitled “Home Along da Riles,” bannered by the late comedy king Dolphy, was a hit, depicting the daily routine of residents living beside railways, including jolts to their makeshift houses every time a train passes by.
10. SETTLERS SIGN DEAL OVER 16-HA. SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROJECT
Davao Oriental’s housing program will benefit more than 700 homeless residents with the signing of a lease agreement between the residents, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the owner of a 15.6-hectare property.
Provincial Information Officer Karen Lou Deloso said the 746 beneficiaries signed on October 17, the lease agreement with the SHFC funding the land acquisition under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP) .
SHFC, the agency tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing program for the homeless, is headed by president Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, a lawyer and former member of the Davao City Council.
The lease agreement between SHFC and members of the Mandaya Muslim Bisaya Homeowners Association covers the 15.6-hectare land in Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marundan, Mati City, where the housing project will rise.
“Prior to the signing, officers from the SHFC explained to the beneficiaries the contents of the agreement,” Deloso said.
Under the agreement, each beneficiary shall pay the monthly rental of PHP369.42 per month, payable for 25 years.
Flordeliza Tabanao, Provincial Housing Coordinator, said that following the signing of the agreement, the SHFC will pay the landowner so that the site development and project construction can begin.
Tabanao said that the provincial government hopes to start the construction next year after meeting all requirements.
Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat said the project is “a welcome development to address the housing backlog in the city.” (PNA)
11. DAVSUR GOV. CAGAS BRAVES 6.6 MAGNITUDE QUAKE TO SIGN SOCIAL HOUSING DEAL WITH SHFC
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas did not care if after shocks from two 6plus magnitude earthquakes that rocked Tulonan in nearby Cotabato continue to rock his province and threaten government buildings including the Provincial Capitol.
Gov. Cagas had declared October 30 as “no work day” at the Capitol as engineers check damage to the building. But on the day, the governor had a date with his homeless constituents.
On the day, he was to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), the government agency tasked with implementing the government’s socialized housing for the homeless Pinoys.
As the specter of another earthquake and more after shocks looms over the province, Gov. Cagas, with his staff and a few Capitol employees, signed the MOU, atop tables hurriedly parked at the Capitol lobby, with SHFC president Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling.
DURIAN POST BUSINESS & NEWS DIRECTORY 