The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Some P32.92 billion in housing loans has been released in the first quarter of 2026, nine percent higher from last year’s P30.22 billion in the same period, the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund revealed on Wednesday. Actively expanding access to home financing for Filipino workers without let-up, Pag-IBIG has financed 20,926 homes from January to March 2026, also higher than the 20,315 homes financed in the first quarter of 2025, CEO Marilene Acosta said. Acosta said that out of the allocated funds, socialized housing loans accounted for P2.95 billion which financed 3,439 homes, up 68 percent in amount and 92 percent in number of units from the same period last year. It reflects Pag-IBIG Fund’s sustained push to serve members from lower-income sectors, according to the top HDMF official. She stressed that the agency remained focused on helping members own homes through monthly payments they could afford while keeping it strong for future borrowers. “What the Pag-IBIG Housing Loan gives our members is a real chance to own a home through monthly payments that are often lower than rent. Instead of spending on rent, our members are able to make payments toward a home they can call their own,” Acosta said. “The amount they save from lower monthly payments can then go to food, education, daily needs, and even to their Pag-IBIG Regular Savings and MP2 Savings. This matters most for our members from lower-income sectors, which is why we are glad to see more of them benefit through socialized housing,” she added. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, who accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when he visited housing projects financed by Pag-IBIG Fund last week, cited the continuing efforts of the administration to make decent homes more accessible to Filipino families under the expanded ‘Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino’ (4PH) program. Aliling noted that the higher home loan releases would show the progress being made in carrying out the President’s directive to expand access to homeownership while also helping stimulate economic activity through housing production. “The efforts of the Marcos administration are bearing fruit. More Filipino workers are now gaining access to decent homes, and this is a clear step forward in fulfilling President Marcos’ directive to make homeownership within reach of more families,” Aliling said. “Housing also creates jobs, supports construction and allied industries, and helps drive economic activity. As the expanded 4PH program continues to provide greater affordability, we expect even more opportunities for homeownership to open for our members, especially those from underserved sectors. This is ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ in action,” the housing czar pointed out. Acosta, in a statement emailed to The Manila Times, was all praises for the responsible member-borrowers who have been cited for the continued growth of the agency. “We thank them for keeping their accounts updated, because through their discipline, we are able to help more Filipino families own a home,” Acosta said.
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