# Senate Committee on Finance: DHSUD - September 29, 2026 — Source-Linked Digest

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qt7sSsqOVM

AI-assisted working draft. AI can make errors. Always verify consequential interpretations and wording against the cited transcript and official video.

## At a glance

- **Agency budget review:** The committee reviewed the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), distinguishing proposed appropriations, original submissions and corporate financing.

- **Eligibility and occupancy:** Senator Raffy T. Tulfo pressed the NHA on allegations of favoritism in beneficiary lists, independent eligibility checks, resale of housing rights, warnings to buyers, and monitoring after families move in. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai described cancellation and reassignment procedures and committed to stronger vetting and monitoring.

- **Delivery and affordability:** Members raised water access, flooding, emergency shelter, housing payment terms, and the reach of the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program and community-mortgage options. Agency replies described ongoing programs and distinctions in how beneficiaries qualify and pay.

- **Implementation and oversight:** Senators Christopher Lawrence T. Go and Joel Villanueva questioned utilization, subsidy timing, licensing, staffing, and housing targets. DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling and Senior Undersecretary Henry L. Yap explained reported measures and processes, while some requested targets and follow-up information remained outstanding.

- **Project funding follow-up:** Majority Leader Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri raised delayed cash for Bukidnon resettlement projects and a separate Panantukan request. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and NHA gave conflicting accounts of available cash; Aliling committed to a formal report and Tai said NHA would fully fund the projects.

- **Committee disposition:** Hearing chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito identified priority housing requests and said the committee would try to help within available fiscal space. He submitted the DHSUD and attached-agency budgets for plenary consideration, subject to further discussion and requested documents.

Reading note: Follow the citations to the timed transcript and official video to review figures, speaker claims and promised follow-up.

## Agency budget summary

### DHSUD and attached bodies: aggregate request and prior-year comparison

For FY2027, DHSUD and its attached agencies proposed about PHP 60 billion, against an NEP allocation presented by Senior Undersecretary Henry L. Yap as PHP 5.498 billion. Yap described the request-to-NEP gap as about PHP 54 billion and the reduction from the FY2026 GAA as about PHP 579 million. Senator Go later cited PHP 5.499 billion for FY2027 and PHP 6.079 billion for the FY2026 program budget. The proposed FY2027 aggregate was therefore stated slightly differently in the two accounts.

[00:31:38 · asr-000156](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000156) · [00:31:49 · asr-000157](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000157) · [00:31:55 · asr-000158](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000158) · [01:32:31 · asr-002222](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002222) · [01:32:44 · asr-002224](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002224)

### Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development

For DHSUD, the FY2027 NEP proposes PHP 2.492 billion against the department's original submission of PHP 4.962 billion.

[00:32:11 · asr-000160](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000160) · [00:32:25 · asr-000161](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000161)

### Human Settlements Adjudication Commission

For HSAC, the FY2027 NEP proposes PHP 566.6 million against the original request of PHP 890 million.

[00:32:49 · asr-000165](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000165) · [00:32:55 · asr-000166](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000166)

### National Housing Authority

For NHA, the FY2027 NEP proposes PHP 2.274 billion against the agency's original request of PHP 44.732 billion.

[00:33:24 · asr-000177](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000177) · [00:33:28 · asr-000178](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000178)

### Social Housing Finance Corporation

For SHFC, the FY2027 NEP proposes PHP 166 million, unchanged from the prior year, against an original request of PHP 4.666 billion.

[00:33:38 · asr-000180](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000180) · [00:33:42 · asr-000181](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000181) · [00:33:45 · asr-000182](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000182)

### National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation

For NHMFC, the FY2027 NEP proposes PHP 450,000 against the original request of PHP 4.7 billion.

[00:33:57 · asr-000185](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000185) · [00:34:03 · asr-000187](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000187) · [00:34:04 · asr-000188](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000188)

### Home Development Mutual Fund

Yap said the Pag-IBIG Fund had no requested or allocated GAA appropriation. No comparable NEP allocation and original agency appropriation request pair was presented; its corporate housing finance was reported separately.

[00:34:09 · asr-000189](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000189) · [00:34:13 · asr-000190](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000190)

## Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development budget

### Funding use and subsidy accounts

FY2026 DHSUD funding of PHP 1.455 billion had PHP 771 million obligated, or 53%; Senior Undersecretary Henry L. Yap reported 72.39% disbursement. Continuing FY2025 funds totaled PHP 1.517 billion, with PHP 468 million obligated (30.89%). The combined account was PHP 2.972 billion, with a 41% obligation rate. The proposed FY2027 allocation principally covers programs and operations, with no construction funding.

For the 4PH account, Yap cited PHP 775 million allocated, PHP 207 million obligated, and another PHP 483 million projected to be used by year-end, describing projected utilization as 91%. Excluding 4PH, he reported PHP 634 million obligated against PHP 631 million. He cited average agency utilization of 95.37% during 2021-2025 and 92.97% for 2025. These are separate reported measures rather than one utilization rate.

The presentation also reported PHP 365 million in shelter assistance during its 2025 performance account.

[00:41:58 · asr-000406](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000406) · [00:42:02 · asr-000408](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000408) · [00:42:09 · asr-000413](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000413) · [00:42:17 · asr-000417](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000417) · [00:42:19 · asr-000418](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000418) · [00:42:28 · asr-000423](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000423) · [00:42:43 · asr-000432](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000432) · [00:42:44 · asr-000433](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000433) · [00:42:48 · asr-000435](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000435) · [00:42:51 · asr-000437](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000437) · [00:43:17 · asr-000449](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000449) · [00:43:19 · asr-000450](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000450) · [00:37:53 · asr-000272](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000272)

### Department and attached-agency augmentation list

Yap requested an additional PHP 280.290 million for DHSUD general administration and related expenses, PHP 4.6 billion for SHFC's Enhanced Community Mortgage Program, and an NHA resettlement-project addition transcribed as PHP 3.264 million. The stated unit of the NHA addition is uncertain.

For NHMFC, the list named PHP 4.7 billion and PHP 3.3 billion in connection with shelter-program and Social Security System (SSS) obligations, without a clear component assignment. The presentation stated PHP 16 billion as the aggregate of additional requests; that total was not reconciled to the listed components. These additions are separate from the original submissions in the budget summary.

[00:45:00 · asr-000497](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000497) · [00:45:13 · asr-000498](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000498) · [00:45:32 · asr-000499](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000499) · [00:45:43 · asr-000500](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000500)

### Support for housing-agency funding

Tulfo supported the DHSUD and NHA budgets and said he was willing to back increases, reiterating his support for the housing agencies at the end of his questions.

[00:46:13 · asr-000505](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000505) · [01:00:05 · asr-001201](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001201)

### DHSUD 4PH subsidy use and requested increase

Committee chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito asked why Congress should add about PHP 1 billion in FY2027 subsidy while prior-year subsidy remained unused, and how the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) would improve its obligation and disbursement record.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling attributed earlier underuse to the delayed implementing rules for horizontal socialized housing: developers had waited for price ceilings, which DHSUD issued in 2025, including a new ceiling on December 23. He expected more completed horizontal units to qualify for interest subsidy through the end of 2026 and in 2027. DHSUD identified the Community Mortgage Program and the High-Density Housing Program of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) as major expected sources of output and said it had sought additional funding for them.

[01:01:36 · asr-001222](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001222) · [01:02:17 · asr-001231](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001231) · [01:03:18 · asr-001245](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001245) · [01:05:01 · asr-001267](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001267)

### Housing budget support

Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go expressed support for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) budget and said housing funds should directly benefit families most in need.

[01:30:42 · asr-002203](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002203)

### DHSUD budget utilization and obligations

Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go questioned the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on low utilization and cited obligation rates of 46.9% for 2025 and 29% for 2026. DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Henry L. Yap said the 2026 rate was then 53%. For 2025, Yap projected 84–85% obligation of the continuing budget by year-end; separately, he projected 91% utilization for expanded 4PH by December, confirmed that this referred to 2025, and said 90% of the 2025 amount would be expended. The discussion distinguished whole-agency obligations, continuing appropriations and the expanded 4PH projection without reconciling all reported rates. Go urged DHSUD to monitor utilization and avoid the return of aging funds to the Treasury as the next budget was considered.

Aliling said around PHP 550 million for the department's 2025 shelter assistance program had all been distributed by the first quarter of 2026.

[02:08:55 · asr-002672](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002672) · [02:09:08 · asr-002674](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002674) · [02:12:25 · asr-002713](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002713) · [02:16:31 · asr-002795](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002795) · [02:16:44 · asr-002802](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002802) · [02:16:59 · asr-002810](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002810) · [02:17:33 · asr-002826](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002826)

### 4PH utilization and interest-subsidy timing

Senator Joel Villanueva asked about the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program's FY2025 obligation rate of 27.4% and disbursement rate of 23.9%, and what measurable targets the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) had for 2027. DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said 4PH recorded only 1,024 unit take-outs during its first 35 months, when it covered vertical condominium projects. DHSUD later added horizontal housing, rental housing, the Community Mortgage Program, and temporary housing, and issued horizontal socialized-housing guidelines in December 2025. Aliling described about 135,000 as a combined count of inventory, work completed during the period, and community-mortgage awards through the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) across 15 months, rather than 135,000 newly built or taken-out units.

Aliling said the interest subsidy is used when a unit is taken out; units still under construction or with applications being processed do not yet draw it. He attributed low utilization to the early stage and delays in vertical and horizontal housing, the two modalities that use the interest subsidy. For eligible 4PH projects, he contrasted Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) usual 6.25% loan interest rate with 3% for qualified socialized housing. He said the Community Mortgage Program has no interest subsidy and therefore does not use that budget.

[02:35:33 · asr-003614-split-2](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003614-split-2) · [02:36:50 · asr-003653](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003653) · [02:39:36 · asr-003735](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003735)

### Balanced Housing Development Program (BHDP) escrow - collection, allocation and uses

Committee chair Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito asked about the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) escrow under the Balanced Housing Development Program (BHDP). DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said about PHP 15 billion was held across about 1,300 developer escrow accounts under the 25% formula. He distinguished the amount collected from the amount allocated and disbursed: about PHP 12.7 billion was allocated, while disbursement remained below PHP 3 billion and was released progressively with construction progress.

Aliling said the funds support socialized housing. Uses included about 5,000 rental-housing units under construction, roughly 7,000-8,000 awards under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), about PHP 3 billion allocated to the National Housing Authority (NHA) for rental housing through its rental-housing program, and temporary shelter and repairs for homes damaged by disasters. DHSUD was considering allocating the remaining unassigned balance to rental housing through that program.

[02:46:54 · asr-003933](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003933) · [02:47:26 · asr-003948](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003948) · [02:48:19 · asr-003968](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003968) · [02:48:24 · asr-003970](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003970) · [02:49:10 · asr-003990](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003990) · [02:49:39 · asr-004001](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004001)

### BHDP compliance formula and retrospective collection

Ejercito questioned the reduced incentivized-compliance formula and a 15% administrative-expense allocation. He asked how DHSUD would address two Department of Justice (DOJ) opinions questioning the rule. Aliling said DHSUD received a DOJ opinion in February 2026, applied it prospectively and removed the 25% factor from future applications. 

The Commission on Audit (COA) later called for retroactive application. Citing the effect on developers' cash flow, DHSUD obtained an Office of the President moratorium on retroactive assessment and collection through February 2027. Aliling said the department continued discussions with developers and the urban-poor sector.

[02:50:09 · asr-004015](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004015) · [02:51:13 · asr-004048](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004048) · [02:52:29 · asr-004082](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004082) · [02:53:30 · asr-004099](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004099) · [02:54:09 · asr-004105](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004105)

### Priority requests and committee disposition

Ejercito said limited fiscal space required prioritization and described the priority SHFC community-mortgage request and about PHP 200 million for DHSUD needs. He said the committee would do its best to help, subject to available room..

He asked the agencies to prepare answers to additional questions for plenary and said the remaining questions would be sent to them. At the close, he deemed the DHSUD and attached-agency budgets submitted for plenary consideration, subject to further discussion and requested documents, then suspended the briefing.

[02:58:50 · asr-004224](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004224) · [02:58:59 · asr-004228](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004228) · [02:59:01 · asr-004229](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004229) · [02:59:54 · asr-004256](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004256) · [03:00:27 · asr-004275](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004275) · [03:00:30 · asr-004276](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004276) · [03:00:33 · asr-004277](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004277) · [03:00:34 · asr-004278](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004278)

## Human Settlements Adjudication Commission budget

### Prior-year commission appropriation

The Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) received PHP 560 million in the FY2026 GAA.

[00:32:42 · asr-000164](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000164)

### HSAC possible vehicle and operating request

Ejercito characterized the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission's (HSAC) request as about PHP 47 million, principally for vehicles and related needs. Executive Commissioner Avelino D. Tolentino III said a third-quarter expenditure review suggested HSAC could cover the amount from savings and would not seek the additional PHP 47 million if it could transfer the funds to a continuing appropriation, subject to DBM approval. He said HSAC could still submit a request if DBM did not permit the transfer. Ejercito asked the commission to inform him if it needed vehicles or adjudicators to maintain operations; Tolentino agreed.

[01:28:49 · asr-002129](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002129) · [01:28:52 · asr-002131](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002131) · [01:29:18 · asr-002157](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002157) · [01:29:25 · asr-002165-split-2](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002165-split-2)

## National Housing Authority budget

### Prior-year housing appropriation

The National Housing Authority (NHA) received PHP 3.897 billion in the FY2026 GAA.

[00:33:14 · asr-000175](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000175)

### NHA proposed budget and production capacity

Ejercito asked whether the National Housing Authority's (NHA) reduced proposed FY2027 allocation could reach families beyond market-based housing finance. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said the allocation was inadequate for the agency's proposed work and would slow ongoing projects and leave no room to launch new ones. Asked what the allocation could deliver, Tai said about 1,800 units would complete ongoing projects. Tai said NHA prioritizes calamity victims and informal-settler families, referring those with Pag-IBIG financing to 4PH.

[01:17:49 · asr-001553](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001553) · [01:18:28 · asr-001581](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001581) · [01:19:07 · asr-001613](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001613) · [01:19:43 · asr-001646](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001646)

### NHA disaster housing funds

Ejercito pointed out that NHA's FY2026 budget included PHP 762 million for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) and PHP 500 million for the Quick Response Fund (QRF), while the FY2027 NEP provided no corresponding funding for either item. Tai said NHA had not yet used its FY2026 emergency assistance funding and wanted the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the cash so it could finish the work. Aliling said the department's shelter assistance and EHAP had been combined under NHA for 2026; Ejercito pressed for cash release and asked about restoring disaster funding.

[01:20:45 · asr-001698](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001698) · [01:21:01 · asr-001713](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001713) · [01:21:06 · asr-001718](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001718) · [01:21:59 · asr-001774](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001774) · [01:22:18 · asr-001791](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001791)

### NHA Bukidnon institutional amendments and release of cash

Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri said he had secured institutional amendments in the FY2025 budget totaling ₱250 million for two Bukidnon resettlement projects, later identified as Maramag and Quezon. He reported that implementation had stalled despite a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) dated June 30, 2026, and asked why the National Housing Authority (NHA) had not received cash and whether the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) could issue the corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA).

DBM Assistant Director Lulu P. Vispo said the NHA's June 30, 2026 cash-flow statement showed an ending cash balance of ₱8.1 billion that could augment the released allotment; DBM also checks the agency's ending balance before releasing an NCA. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito asked whether the matter was marked for later release, and Vispo said no; Zubiri likewise told the chair it was not for later release. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai replied that the ₱8 million being discussed was already obligated for ongoing projects, and said using it would mean borrowing from existing projects. The two figures describe conflicting accounts of available cash, which remained unresolved in the exchange.

Vispo said the NHA could request an additional NCA if its available balance proved insufficient. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said he would meet with DBM and submit a formal report to Zubiri and the committee. Tai committed that the NHA would fully fund the project. Zubiri said he intended to seek further institutional amendments for two other towns, Kitao-Tao and Don Carlos, next year, without naming an amount. He also cited a separate ₱40 million Panantukan project; Aliling said DHSUD would push for it. Zubiri said the current projects were about half completed after an initial release and wanted to avoid the same funding snag in future projects.

[01:36:51 · asr-002271](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002271) · [01:37:22 · asr-002277](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002277) · [01:38:06 · asr-002286](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002286) · [01:39:38 · asr-002309](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002309) · [01:41:03 · asr-002329](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002329) · [01:42:04 · asr-002346](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002346) · [01:42:06 · asr-002347](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002347) · [01:42:48 · asr-002359](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002359) · [01:43:08 · asr-002363](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002363) · [01:43:46 · asr-002373](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002373) · [01:45:00 · asr-002400](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002400) · [01:46:14 · asr-002405](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002405) · [01:47:29 · asr-002415](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002415) · [01:47:51 · asr-002418](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002418)

### Emergency Housing Assistance Program cash and disbursement

Go asked about the National Housing Authority's (NHA) Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), which helps disaster-affected families obtain housing materials. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said EHAP funds for 2024 and 2025 had been fully disbursed, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had not provided the corresponding cash; the NHA used cash from older accounts to make those payments. He clarified that the earlier claim of unreleased 2024–2025 funds did not mean those appropriations remained undisbursed. For 2026, Tai said no cash had yet been released because of cash constraints, and that he was still seeking funds; Aliling said the department's shelter-assistance funding and EHAP had been combined under the NHA for 2026. Go asked the agencies to follow up with DBM so emergency support would reach families promptly.

[02:09:38 · asr-002678](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002678) · [02:11:43 · asr-002700](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002700) · [02:13:09 · asr-002725](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002725) · [02:13:25 · asr-002728](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002728) · [02:13:59 · asr-002735](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002735)

## Social Housing Finance Corporation budget

### Corporate revenue and operating allocation

Yap reported SHFC revenue of PHP 502 million and a PHP 67 million balance, describing 86.47% of revenue as allocated to personnel services and maintenance and other operating expenses.

[00:44:07 · asr-000472](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000472) · [00:44:10 · asr-000473](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000473)

### SHFC CMP and high-density housing request

Ejercito cited SHFC's PHP 90.08 million FY2026 allocation for Community Mortgage Program (CMP) operations, compared with PHP 45 million in 2025, and described the FY2027 request as about PHP 2 billion for roughly 100,000 units. SHFC President and CEO Federico A. Laxa said the proposed funding would be distributed between CMP and High-Density Housing (HDH) projects, including long-pending projects.

Aliling estimated that this amount could support about 100,000 CMP beneficiaries; Laxa agreed that this was the average CMP output. Laxa separately said HDH serves beneficiaries occupying danger areas in Metro Manila.

[01:25:10 · asr-001919](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001919) · [01:25:12 · asr-001921](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001921) · [01:25:14 · asr-001923](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001923) · [01:26:05 · asr-001958](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001958) · [01:26:09 · asr-001962](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001962) · [01:26:19 · asr-001972](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001972)

### Socialized housing and Community Mortgage Program funding

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling described the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) as the priority for the department's requested additional housing funds. He said the current CMP budget was ₱166 million and asked for ₱2 billion, which he said could benefit about 100,000 informal-settler families. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito separately asked whether the House would amend ₱400 million or ₱600 million for CMP; Aliling said that had not yet happened.

[02:04:48 · asr-002619](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002619) · [02:05:02 · asr-002622](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002622) · [02:06:42 · asr-002646](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002646) · [02:06:49 · asr-002647](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002647)

## National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation budget

### Corporate revenue and funding treatment

Yap reported National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) revenue of PHP 862.607 million and a 60.03% allocation to personnel services and maintenance and other operating expenses. The balance was transcribed as 76,224 with unclear units and is not reconciled to that percentage. NHMFC received no FY2026 GAA funding.

[00:44:26 · asr-000481](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000481) · [00:44:32 · asr-000483](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000483) · [00:44:35 · asr-000484](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000484) · [00:33:54 · asr-000184](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000184)

### NHMFC socialized-housing loan take-out funding

Committee chair Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito asked about the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) request of ₱3.3 billion for socialized-housing loan take-out receivables: purchasing housing-loan receivables from socialized-housing originators. He noted that the FY2027 proposed allocation was far below that program request and that the program had not been funded in FY2026. NHMFC President Renato L. Tobias said the request reflected the corporation's project pipeline with developers and local government units. With only the proposed allocation, he said NHMFC would rely on internally generated collections from loans it had purchased in earlier years, limiting what the program could cover.

[01:49:21 · asr-002432](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002432) · [01:50:01 · asr-002436](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002436)

## Home Development Mutual Fund budget

### Fund housing finance and membership

The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) had PHP 4.08 billion allocated for 15 4PH projects as reported in the presentation. This was fund housing finance, separate from an NEP appropriation. Yap reported 16.79 million active members and a 7.12% dividend yield. The fund's lower-interest housing products extend beyond socialized housing to economic and higher-priced homes.

[00:34:46 · asr-000201](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000201) · [00:34:50 · asr-000202](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000202) · [00:34:44 · asr-000200](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000200) · [00:34:57 · asr-000205](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000205)

## DHSUD and shelter-agency presentation

### Expanded 4PH options and household terms

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling described an expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program that adds horizontal and rental housing and the Community Mortgage Program to vertical housing, reaching families with different ability to pay. He said around 135,000 had qualified after expansion, clarifying that this did not mean 135,000 homes had been built in one year. The Community Mortgage Program's monthly amortization was described as PHP 400-600 for informal-settler families. DHSUD also used local government unit (LGU) and government-agency land for rental housing, and introduced temporary modular shelter for disaster-affected communities.

[00:22:30 · asr-000049](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000049) · [00:25:26 · asr-000069](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000069) · [00:25:29 · asr-000070](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000070) · [00:26:53 · asr-000088](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000088) · [00:27:34 · asr-000098](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000098)

### Resettlement, regulation and land-use planning performance

Yap described DHSUD's National Resettlement Policy Framework, coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to connect assistance beneficiaries to 4PH, and work with the Department of Education (DepEd) on schools in resettlement sites. He reported 213 certificates of entitlement under presidential proclamations; work against professional squatters and squatting syndicates included 39 processed cases, 12 capacity-building activities and 200 monitored local cases. Homeowner-association work included training and registration of 2,705 neighborhood associations, 23,698 homeowners' associations, 238 federations and 35 confederations.

Housing regulation included 491 licenses covering 418 residential and 73 non-residential projects. DHSUD reported 15 consecutive weeks with no overdue applications under its 15-day review period. Yap described updated socialized-housing price ceilings with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), streamlined tax-exemption requirements with the Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and an Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) initiative involving 15 agencies to reduce permit processing time by a projected 50% once the required issuances were in place.

PlanSmart and Automated Compliance Monitoring (AutoCAM) supported local land-use planning. Yap reported risk-informed plans in 63.5% of 1,515 local governments, training for 153 local governments and six AutoCAM pilots, alongside guidance on new towns, transit-oriented development, resilient design and open spaces. DHSUD also reported three consecutive years of unmodified Commission on Audit (COA) opinions.

[00:37:10 · asr-000254](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000254) · [00:37:52 · asr-000271](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000271) · [00:38:36 · asr-000287](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000287) · [00:39:03 · asr-000298](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000298) · [00:39:58 · asr-000335](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000335) · [00:40:35 · asr-000355](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000355) · [00:41:20 · asr-000385](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000385) · [00:44:48 · asr-000490](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000490)

## Senator Raffy T. Tulfo

### Beneficiary eligibility and patronage allegations

Senator Raffy T. Tulfo relayed complaints that housing beneficiaries were often municipal employees or political allies, and asked how the National Housing Authority (NHA) checked local government unit (LGU) lists. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said project lists originate with LGUs; for calamity cases, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) validates affected families, while resettlement lists pass through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). He said the NHA also validates that listed applicants qualify and have not previously received a house.

Tulfo warned against treating an LGU recommendation as proof of eligibility and asked for thorough, independent vetting rather than automatic approval for a mayor's or chairperson's associates. Tai said beneficiary selection goes through a stringent selection process and affirmed the NHA had a dedicated unit when Tulfo asked to hear at the next hearing that such a unit existed. Tai also pledged strict regional monitoring with other government agencies to prevent favoritism. Tulfo emphasized that his allegations were based on complaints and did not accuse every LGU official.

[00:46:43 · asr-000508](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000508) · [00:47:09 · asr-000511](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000511) · [00:48:58 · asr-000577](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000577) · [00:50:06 · asr-000632](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000632) · [00:51:15 · asr-000697](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000697) · [00:50:51 · asr-000675](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000675)

### Resale of housing rights and beneficiary occupancy

Tulfo raised reports that beneficiaries with other homes or assets were reselling or passing on their NHA housing rights, potentially diverting units from poorer applicants. Tai said beneficiaries had sold units for ₱200,000 or ₱300,000 and that the NHA cancels a beneficiary's award when a sale is found. He clarified that these transactions sell the rights; with LGU assistance, the NHA removes the buyers so the proper beneficiary can benefit. Tai said the agency repeatedly warns the public against buying a pasalo, since the transaction can be cancelled and the buyer evicted.

Tulfo asked whether recipients were monitored after moving in. Tai said NHA personnel visit weekly to collect monthly payments and confirmed that the agency has staff for monitoring. In a related follow-up, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito asked how many beneficiaries had been evicted for renting or selling units. Tai confirmed such cases and said he would obtain the data; he said repossessed units are given to another beneficiary. Tulfo urged monitoring against passing on or renting units and asked for a unit to ensure fair beneficiary selection. Tai committed that the NHA would do so.

[00:51:44 · asr-000724](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000724) · [00:51:46 · asr-000725](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000725) · [00:51:54 · asr-000733](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000733) · [00:52:32 · asr-000770](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000770) · [00:57:36 · asr-001059](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001059) · [00:58:17 · asr-001099](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001099) · [00:58:31 · asr-001114](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001114) · [00:58:59 · asr-001142](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001142) · [00:59:04 · asr-001149](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001149) · [00:59:52 · asr-001190](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001190)

### Water service and flood-prone resettlement sites

Tulfo relayed complaints of poor water service and difficulty obtaining water in resettlement communities. Tai agreed that many NHA projects lacked water, adding that the problem also affected private developments and, in Bulacan, the wider province. On flooding in Rizal and Bulacan resettlement areas, Tai attributed the changed conditions to climate change and said the NHA had coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and LGUs to address the sites.

[00:53:37 · asr-000832](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000832) · [00:53:56 · asr-000840](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000840) · [00:54:12 · asr-000857](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000857) · [00:54:25 · asr-000867](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000867)

### Housing affordability and payment schedules

After Tulfo relayed a complaint that monthly payments made some housing unaffordable, Tai said NHA row houses for informal settlers and calamity victims carried amortization of ₱600 to ₱800 per month. Tulfo also cited complaints about the 4PH program under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), including a reported rise in monthly payments. DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling explained that 4PH units are developed by the private sector and buyers use Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) housing loans, which offer level or graduated amortization. He said ₱7,000 was the level/default monthly amortization, while the graduated option starts at roughly half and increases over time. The complaint's separate earlier figure was described only as “3.3 thousand and hundred something,” so its exact amount is unclear.

[00:55:39 · asr-000938](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000938) · [00:55:56 · asr-000956](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000956) · [00:55:58 · asr-000957](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000957) · [00:56:28 · asr-000982](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-000982) · [00:56:43 · asr-001003](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001003) · [00:57:17 · asr-001038](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001038) · [00:57:20 · asr-001040](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001040) · [00:57:29 · asr-001050](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001050)

## Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito

### Expanded 4PH delivery target

Ejercito cited an expanded 4PH target of 301,040 homes by June 2028 and said that, as of June 2026, reported delivery stood at 41.7%, leaving about 175,000 units. Aliling said the target had not changed and that DHSUD remained confident it could reach roughly 300,000, pointing to increased output after the program added modalities. Ejercito called delivery the test of the program and asked DHSUD to sustain performance..

[01:00:39 · asr-001209](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001209) · [01:01:08 · asr-001216](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001216)

### Schools at NHA resettlement sites

Ejercito raised rising enrollment in NHA resettlement areas and the need for additional classrooms. NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai said NHA was about to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd), which would provide funds to construct almost 50 schools at resettlement sites. The agreement was intended to ensure that the sites had schools..

[01:05:31 · asr-001273](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001273) · [01:06:20 · asr-001283](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001283)

### In-city housing, rental projects and land

Asked how DHSUD would keep families near city jobs, Aliling said high urban land prices made socialized housing difficult and that DHSUD was promoting rental housing on local government land. He reported about 5,000 rental units under construction across local governments. In Quezon City, seven condominium buildings totaling about 2,300 units were being built for families displaced by a fire at the Sania property, while the city provided interim rental assistance. A project of about 1,200 units at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman was to begin, with informal-settler relocation presenting a challenge; pilot projects were also underway in Iloilo City, Cebu, Victoria and Los Banos. DHSUD was discussing additional National Capital Region (NCR) projects, where land provision remained a challenge.

Ejercito said the 2025 idle-land inventory covered more than 30,000 hectares, of which only about 30% was potentially suitable because of legal and land-use restrictions. DHSUD Senior Undersecretary Henry L. Yap said the inventory had been transferred to NHA for study.

[01:06:46 · asr-001287](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001287) · [01:07:15 · asr-001295](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001295) · [01:08:17 · asr-001314](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001314) · [01:09:25 · asr-001337](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001337) · [01:09:59 · asr-001345](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001345)

### Walk-up and high-rise affordability; San Juan status

Ejercito argued for walk-up and medium-rise socialized housing near city centers, while Aliling agreed that walk-ups were easier to manage and should be used where high-rise development was not necessary. Aliling said high-rise construction was expensive and had moved slowly because of affordability and estate-management costs. He reported about 15,000 licensed vertical units, of which 7,700 had been taken out, and confirmed that the 15,000 were ready; the secretary attributed slow take-up to a mismatch between available units and beneficiary affordability.

Ejercito contrasted the five-story walk-up model, including an earlier San Juan project on NHA land provided by the local government, with the 30-story Makabagong San Juan development and a taller proposed Batis Phase 2. He raised concern that high-rise units would be harder to afford and maintain. Aliling estimated that a PHP 1.8 million unit would require about PHP 7,000 monthly under straight amortization; assuming the PHP 1.8 million price ceiling and a 3% rate, he gave an estimate of about PHP 7,600. He said monthly estate-management costs were around PHP 1,200 for a walk-up and could reach about PHP 1,800 in a high-rise with elevators. Asked about the separate SHFC San Juan 4PH project, Laxa said it remained in planning and that neither Phase 1 nor Phase 2 had been built.

[01:10:13 · asr-001347](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001347) · [01:10:58 · asr-001364](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001364) · [01:13:02 · asr-001398](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001398) · [01:13:36 · asr-001411](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001411) · [01:13:41 · asr-001413](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001413) · [01:14:48 · asr-001440](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001440) · [01:14:56 · asr-001446](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001446) · [01:16:12 · asr-001484](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001484) · [01:17:14 · asr-001526](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001526)

### Yolanda housing turnover

Ejercito cited NHA's completion of 176,804 Yolanda housing units, or 91% of a revised target of 194,000, and said 47,139 units remained unoccupied as of 2025. Tai said NHA had started turning these units over to local governments, which would help identify and assist beneficiaries.

[01:19:58 · asr-001656](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001656) · [01:20:30 · asr-001683](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001683)

### SHFC project deliveries

Asked about completed SHFC projects and beneficiary turnover, Laxa reported about 300 units turned over at Crystal Peak and about 400 units in Davao City's People's Ville. He also reported assistance to 4,015 families through CMP projects.

[01:23:26 · asr-001847](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001847) · [01:23:42 · asr-001861](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001861)

### HSAC case delays and capacity

Ejercito cited a 2025 report showing 122 regional adjudication-branch cases unresolved within the prescribed period, with delays of up to 435 days, and asked about the backlog. Tolentino said HSAC handled an average of about 3,486 cases per year from 2022 to 2025 and about 528 appealed cases. HSAC had added adjudicators and planned another batch, aiming to nearly double their number by year-end; Tolentino said more than 40 positions were authorized but only 21 were filled. He also described a proposed bill to strengthen HSAC's organization, add support staff and provide a judicial rank comparable to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

[01:26:43 · asr-001998](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-001998) · [01:27:22 · asr-002039](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002039) · [01:29:38 · asr-002177](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002177)

### Relocation planning and housing price ceilings

Ejercito said 200 families in Tondo, Manila would be affected by the LRT Line 2 extension and asked whether relocation housing had been prepared and coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr). NHA General Manager Joeben A. Tai confirmed NHA's involvement but said some other DOTr projects had not continued; the exchange did not establish a relocation plan or answer whether housing was ready for these families.

Ejercito also asked whether a recent oil-price increase had been considered in the DHSUD and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) price ceiling for socialized subdivision and condominium projects. DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said the department had requested a proposed ceiling increase and that a DHSUD–DEPDev technical working group was considering it.

[01:52:32 · asr-002474](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002474) · [01:52:50 · asr-002480](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002480) · [01:53:00 · asr-002482](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002482) · [01:53:21 · asr-002486](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002486)

### Decentralized license-to-sell review and Pag-IBIG follow-up

Ejercito asked for an update on regulatory applications and backlogs after DHSUD centralized license-to-sell review. Aliling said the department had fully decentralized processing again, with central-office oversight to check whether regional actions follow the guidelines. Regional offices are to act on applications within 15 days by approving, denying, or issuing a notice of deficiency; Aliling said regional directors had certified 15 consecutive weeks with no overdue pending regulatory applications. 

He said an issued approval would not be revoked because of a later post-audit discrepancy; the department would instead notify those concerned and review or refine its policies. DHSUD planned to begin online applications in October, transition from manual to digital by year-end, and issue an updated general regulatory manual by year-end.

Ejercito said he had prepared questions for the Pag-IBIG Fund representative and would forward them for the budget plenary.

[01:53:35 · asr-002487](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002487) · [01:54:46 · asr-002502](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002502) · [01:56:43 · asr-002532](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002532) · [01:56:59 · asr-002538](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002538) · [01:51:27 · asr-002452](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002452)

### Temporary license-to-sell escrow and release policy

Ejercito asked whether escrow restrictions on pre-selling proceeds under temporary licenses could slow affordable housing construction. Aliling explained the treatment of developer pre-selling proceeds. Developers with regular licenses, or conditional licenses with the other requirements met except the balance-housing requirement, could use proceeds. A temporary license allows pre-selling while a developer has up to one year to complete identified requirements, but the proceeds remain in escrow to protect buyers if the developer fails to comply and refunds become due. 

Developers proposed drawing funds in line with construction progress, such as a 25% draw at 25% completion; Aliling said DHSUD maintained its position to protect buyers and had sent a position paper to the Office of the President. He said fewer than 20 projects were then operating under temporary licenses.

[02:42:57 · asr-003835](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003835) · [02:44:20 · asr-003876](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003876) · [02:45:39 · asr-003905](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003905) · [02:45:55 · asr-003910](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003910) · [02:46:50 · asr-003930](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003930)

### Middle-income housing and Pag-IBIG financing

Ejercito asked what the proposed 2027 budget and DHSUD programs offered middle-income families who could not qualify for socialized housing but could not afford prevailing prices. Aliling pointed to Pag-IBIG Fund subsidized rates within expanded 4PH: 4.5% for units priced up to PHP 4.9 million and 5.75% for units up to PHP 10 million. 

For inventory in the National Capital Region (NCR), DHSUD was preparing a program to treat eligible developer units priced up to PHP 3 million as socialized-housing compliance, with a 3% Pag-IBIG rate; Aliling said it would be launched in the next two to three weeks. He confirmed that two qualified homebuyers could borrow up to PHP 20 million together.

[02:54:43 · asr-004113](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004113) · [02:56:05 · asr-004142](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004142) · [02:56:08 · asr-004144](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004144) · [02:56:10 · asr-004145](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004145) · [02:56:12 · asr-004146](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004146) · [02:56:50 · asr-004165](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004165) · [02:57:00 · asr-004170](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004170) · [02:57:28 · asr-004184](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004184) · [02:57:30 · asr-004185](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004185) · [02:57:34 · asr-004187](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-004187)

## Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go

### Housing need estimates and their scope

Go described earlier government estimates of housing need at about 6.5 million units and cited earlier projections that requirements could reach 22 million units by 2040 if left unaddressed. He contrasted those figures with DHSUD's recently stated backlog of about 2.2 million units and asked DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling to clarify.

Aliling said the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) study forecast a housing need of 3.7 million units by 2028. He broke this into 1.1 million homes needing rehabilitation, including some informal-settler households; 2.2 million people in “double-up” households, where multiple families share one roof, across both socialized and open-market housing and regardless of income; and 400,000 as a net forecast covering damage and repairs. He said expanding the 4PH program and its Community Mortgage Program could help address the projected need.

[01:33:32 · asr-002232](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002232) · [01:34:27 · asr-002243](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002243)

### Rental assistance and housing information

Go discussed Senate Bill No. 415, his proposed rental-housing subsidy for informal settlers and families displaced by disasters. He described it as having reached the sponsorship stage in the Senate, and said it would cover half the rent temporarily while families recover and return home. He urged DHSUD to inform the public about available programs and coordinate with local governments. On rental housing near work and schools, Aliling said DHSUD was prioritizing in-city rental housing, especially for dense urban areas.

[02:00:33 · asr-002600](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002600) · [02:06:08 · asr-002640](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002640) · [02:23:15 · asr-003014](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003014) · [02:24:42 · asr-003088](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003088)

### Unfinished Davao Oriental housing projects

Go asked the NHA to inspect housing structures in Davao Oriental that had been started under the previous administration but remained unfinished, so they could serve families instead of becoming abandoned projects. Tai said the NHA would check the sites and try to complete those with funding, while noting that some contractors had not been paid. Go asked the agency to assess whether completing existing structures could save money compared with starting new projects.

[02:06:56 · asr-002653](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002653) · [02:07:55 · asr-002663](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002663)

### License-to-sell processing and housing-unit applications

Go raised reports of delays in licenses to sell and asked about pending applications. Aliling said DHSUD had revised its review guidelines and decentralized processing. He reported 15 consecutive weeks with no overdue regulatory applications in regional offices, said applications were being acted on within 15 days, and reported no regulatory-application backlog during that period.

For applications tracked by housing units, Aliling reported 197,000 units applied for, 117,000 qualified after evaluation, about 34,000 still under review within the 15-day period, and 31,000 with notices of deficiencies awaiting developer action. Of the 197,000 applied units, 13,000 had been denied, a 6.68% denial rate. Aliling projected that more than 200,000 units would be covered by licenses to sell by year-end..

[02:18:31 · asr-002854](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002854) · [02:19:25 · asr-002873](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002873) · [02:20:24 · asr-002903](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002903) · [02:20:54 · asr-002926](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-002926)

## Senator Joel Villanueva

### DHSUD workforce and unfilled positions

Framing the issue around employment, Villanueva cited 6% unemployment (about 3.14 million people) and 12.9% underemployment (about 6.33 million), then asked why so many DHSUD positions remained unfilled. He cited an overall workforce of 5,901, including 2,502 contract-of-service and job-order personnel, and 3,931 authorized positions with 1,295 vacant. Aliling clarified that the 5,901, 2,502, 3,931 and 1,295 figures covered DHSUD and its attached agencies, not DHSUD alone.

For DHSUD itself, Aliling stated a total of 1,164 positions, with 844 filled and 304 vacant; those reported components do not reconcile to the stated total. He said vacancies had fallen from roughly 500-600 when he arrived to about 300, but that some available positions did not match the agency's needs, forcing it to hire for roles that were not the best fit. Villanueva raised low salary grades and hard-to-fill specialist roles as possible causes, citing recruitment problems he had seen at the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). He pointed to the Government Optimization law as a way to address mismatches and asked whether DHSUD had submitted its plan. Villanueva noted that submission remained pending and requested a plan to address staffing; Aliling promised to comply.

[02:28:56 · asr-003370](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003370) · [02:32:07 · asr-003512](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003512) · [02:34:07 · asr-003572](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003572) · [02:34:42 · asr-003590](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003590) · [02:35:32 · asr-003614](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003614)

### 2027 targets and Bulacan housing follow-up

Villanueva returned to the requested measurable 2027 targets and asked about the Bulacan projects he had previously discussed with local mayors. Aliling identified rental housing in San Jose and San Rafael and said DHSUD was also talking with Meycauayan; he described these as the three Bulacan rental-housing locations. He did not give measurable 2027 production targets. Villanueva requested the documents, voiced support for the DHSUD budget, and said he would follow up next year on the unfilled positions and targets, particularly for Bulacan. Aliling promised to comply with the requested follow-up.

[02:39:57 · asr-003745](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003745) · [02:40:31 · asr-003763](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003763) · [02:40:45 · asr-003770](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003770) · [02:41:28 · asr-003792](https://tordecilla.github.io/budget-hearings-2026/records/85/#asr-003792)