SHFC, CDA ink housing cooperative deal
Published on 14 November 2023
The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has entered into a partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to formulate a unified policy that will effectively guide cooperatives under the former’s shelter initiatives, including projects under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
SHFC President and CEO Federico A. Laxa and CDA Chairperson Usec. Joseph B. Encabo formalized the agreement in a ceremony held in Makati on October 11. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) sets in place framework that will facilitate the identification, recognition, and updating of eligible housing beneficiaries.
The accord emphasizes the implementation of capacity-building support and empowerment of housing cooperatives under SHFC. The MOU also underscores a collaborative effort to provide technical skills for the establishment and management of cooperative clusters in ongoing and upcoming SHFC projects.
Laxa characterized this collaboration as a historic event, signifying an open door for enhanced cooperation in addressing the pressing issue of homelessness, particularly among low- and moderate-income groups. “Considering that SHFC’s main program relies heavily on the community and the cooperation of its members, we see this partnership as a significant step towards the strengthening of our collaboration with various cooperatives,” he said.
For his part, Encabo expressed his gratitude to SHFC for acknowledging the CDA as a “premium” partner in its initiatives aimed at assisting informal settler families (ISFs). “In response to the challenges of times and the directives of the national government, we are one with SHFC in this undertaking,” he said. “We believe that these people in the ISF sector also deserve better lives and better conditions.”
SHFC’s participation in the 4PH, designed to address 6.5 million housing units, includes the implementation of several in-city vertical housing projects. Notable projects include Crystal Peak Estates, which President Marcos inspected in San Fernando City, Pampanga, in July, and Valley View Township, which broke ground in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental in April.
The corporation also has projects in Tarlac City, Tanauan, Batangas, Davao City, and Sta. Mesa and Tondo in Manila. Upcoming 4PH sites are planned for Quezon City, Pasay, Manila, Palawan, and General Santos City.
Aside from the 4PH, SHFC provides shelter solutions to ISFs through a range of initiatives, such as the Community Mortgage Program, High Density Housing Program, Marawi Shelter Project, North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project, and Strategy for the Inclusive Mainstreaming of People’s Living Entitlements Program.
SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot and CDA Asec. Myrla Paradillo witnessed the signing. Also in attendance were senior officers from both agencies, including SHFC Legal Affairs, Asset Management, Partners, and Human Resources Senior Vice President Atty. Leo Deocampo, SHFC Recovery Projects Vice President Annicia Villafuerte, SHFC Program Development and Enhancement Vice President Atty. Maria Rosalie Richa Taguian, SHFC Corporate Planning and Communications Vice President Florencio Carandang, Jr., Resettlement Management Vice President Philip Robert Flores, and CDA Asec. Vergel Hilario.