Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on Monday officially opened the National Shelter Month (NSM) 2026, highlighted by awarding under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
The opening ceremony started with the ribbon-cutting at the DHSUD Central Office that brought together DHSUD officials and heads of its attached agencies, namely, National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Joeben Tai, Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President and CEO Federico Laxa, Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) President Renato Tobias, and Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) Executive Commissioner Avelino Tolentino III.
The ribbon-cutting formally opened the NSM 2026 booths and exhibits, which will run from October 5 to 8 and feature the housing programs, services, and initiatives of DHSUD and its attached agencies. The exhibits provide the public with information on available housing assistance, financing, homeownership, and other shelter-related services.
Carrying this year’s theme, “Tahanan. Pamayanan. Kinabukasan,” the opening celebration also highlighted the direct impact of the government’s housing programs on Filipino families through the awarding of titles and housing certificates under the Expanded 4PH Program.
During the ceremony, 119 member-beneficiaries of Alyansa ng mga Samahan sa Sitio Mendez Baesa, Inc. in Sitio Mendez, Barangay Baesa, Quezon City, were recognized as recipients of individualized TCTs through the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program. Ten beneficiary representatives received the titles during the ceremony on behalf of the association.
The community’s path toward secure land tenure spans several decades. Residents first occupied the area in the late 1970s and began organizing their homeowners association in the late 1980s. With assistance from the Quezon City Government and other stakeholders, the housing project was successfully taken out in 1992.
Quezon City Rep. Marivic Garcia Co-Pilar, who served as keynote speaker, provided assistance to the association in support of its community development initiatives and other organizational needs.
The NHA also awarded housing certificates to 10 beneficiaries, with five from Navotaas Homes 3 and five from Disiplina Village-Arkong Bato. The awards underscore the government’s continuing efforts to provide qualified families with safe and secure housing through the Expanded 4PH Program.
Secretary Aliling emphasized that the celebration goes beyond the opening of exhibits and activities, pointing to the people whose lives are directly affected by the government’s shelter programs.
“As we celebrate this year’s National Shelter Month, let us remember that our mission goes beyond providing roofs over people’s heads. It is about building dignified lives through safe, decent, and affordable shelters; creating communities where families can thrive; and laying the foundation for a better future for generations to come,” Secretary Aliling said.
The ribbon-cutting and awarding ceremonies formally kicked off the month-long NSM activities prepared by DHSUD. The Department and its key shelter agencies will continue to hold programs and activities throughout October to promote housing opportunities, strengthen public access to shelter services, and highlight the continuing implementation of the Expanded 4PH– the government’s people-centered housing agenda.
Reference: DHSUD Media Partners
