QUEZON CITY -- Christmas just got merrier for some 1,440 families from Bacoor City, Cavite with the ceremonial turnover of housing units at a socialized housing project of the Social Housing Finance Corporation in Barangay Molino I.

“Magandang regalo po ito sa amin ngayong Pasko at papalapit na Bagong Taon,” said Mr. Ledger Padela after receiving the ceremonial key during the turnover rites of the Ciudad de Strike Homeowners’ Association Phase 1 on December 14. His family is among the beneficiaries who are set to move into the new housing units constructed under SHFC’s Vertical Community Mortgage Program (CMP) modality.

The construction of the P883-million project started in December 2019 and is expected to be completed by March 2022. Ciudad de Strike is composed of 20 three-story buildings, accommodating 72 families each. Every household will occupy a 24-square meter unit with a room for a loft. This is a far cry from the illegal shanties and makeshift dwellings along the waterways of Bacoor that they previously lived in.

“We are extremely happy that SHFC became an instrument to make your dreams of having your own home come true,” SHFC President Atty. Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling said in his speech. “We hope that every beneficiary will treasure and strive to maintain these beautiful housing units.” He also expressed hope that the project will inspire other local government units in working with SHFC in providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income Filipinos.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Sec. Eduardo del Rosario also attended the ceremony, along with Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla and Cavite 2nd District Cong. Strike Revilla.  

The CMP aims to improve the living conditions of underprivileged families by giving them an affordable financing scheme wherein they can borrow as a community to buy the land they occupy or would like to relocate to. To date, it has provided security of tenure to about 380,000 families through approximately P18.8 billion in loan assistance.  

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. For more info, call (+632) 7750-6337 or visit www.shfc.dhsud.gov.ph. (SHFC)