More than a thousand underprivileged Filipino families are poised to gain long-awaited land tenure security as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) prepares to award 1,165 Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program this month.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the new wave of COE distribution covers socialized housing sites in Los Baños, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon; and Jaro, Iloilo City — all areas previously declared suitable for housing development under Presidential Proclamation Nos. 550, 436, and 1538. He described the rollout as an “early Christmas gift” from the Marcos administration to families who have spent years waiting for proof of ownership over the land they occupy.
In Los Baños, the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) has completed verification for 764 beneficiaries across Barangays Lalakay, Bambang, and Timugan. COEs in the area will be released in phases beginning this December and continuing until early 2026. Meanwhile, in Jaro, Iloilo City, 216 qualified families are expected to receive their certificates within the month. In Lucena City, validation for 185 beneficiaries has been finalized, with the awarding scheduled for January 2026.
Aliling emphasized that the staggered timeline ensures accuracy, transparency, and proper coordination with local governments, enabling thorough verification and beneficiary confirmation. He added that the COEs go beyond simple documentation — they provide families with the stability and confidence that come with formal land security.
He further assured that DHSUD will maintain close cooperation with partner LGUs and national agencies in the months ahead to facilitate smooth distribution. In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, he reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fast-tracking COE issuance while strictly adhering to established policies and guidelines.
According to Aliling, the overarching goal remains clear: to give Filipino families the certainty, dignity, and peace of mind that come with secure land ownership — a foundational element of the administration’s broader housing and settlement initiative.