SHFC facilitates relief distribution in typhoon-hit social housing communities

Published on 05 August 2024

The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) continues to facilitate the distribution of aid to supported social housing communities affected by Super Typhoon “Carina” and the southwest monsoon in recent days.

SHFC is a Key Shelter Agency under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) that implements the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program, the flagship initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa, in leading the relief operations in Barangay Tonsuya, Malabon City, noted that they were committed to support its communities “in these challenging times and in aiding their recovery and resilience-building efforts”.

Food packs were initially distributed to more than 320 families from the Letre Homeowners’ Association, Inc. Phase 1, a housing project of SHFC under the Community Mortgage Program. Accompanying Mr. Laxa were SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot, Accounts Management Group Senior Vice President Josefina Banglagan, and Resettlement Services Group Vice President Bob Flores. Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and former Representative Federico “Ricky” Sandoval also attended the relief distribution.

To date, SHFC has extended relief efforts to about 5,000 families affected by the typhoon in its Metro Manila and Central Luzon housing projects. It aims to assist as many as 10,000 families in calamity-hit areas, including Quezon City, Marikina, Pampanga, and Bataan.

The relief assistance includes rice, canned goods, and other ready-to-eat food. It also includes soap and basic medicine to ensure that families can maintain proper hygiene and address minor health concerns.

The initiative aligns with the directive of DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar to provide comprehensive assistance to families affected by the recent weather disturbances. This effort supports President Marcos, Jr.’s call for all government agencies to aid calamity-stricken areas.

“Our hearts go out to all the families affected by this disaster.” Mr. Laxa said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in disaster response efforts.

The innovative multistory housing projects of SHFC under the 4PH program offer a vertical solution to the staggering 6.5 million housing backlog in the Philippines. With the country being highly prone to typhoons and other natural disasters, these elevated structures were specifically designed to mitigate flood risks and enhance disaster resilience.

Currently, SHFC has 12 ongoing 4PH projects, including Crystal Peak Estates in San Fernando City, Pampanga; People’s Ville in Davao City, and Valley View Township in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, that will generate more than 45,000 units. These projects are among the 111 shovel-ready projects that will produce over 505,000 units by 2028.