1,666 Isabela families get housing units through CMP

OVER a thousand families in Isabela will be given houses by the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) and the local government under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

In a news statement, SHFC said 1,666 family-beneficiaries are part of the Jones, Isabela CMP Homeowners Association Inc. from Barangays Payac and San Isidro.

SHFC said most of the beneficiaries are market vendors, health personnel, teachers, government employees, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWS).

This is a long-term solution to the problems brought by the pandemic,” SHFC Executive Vice President Atty. Junefe Payot said in Filipino.

“If the square-footage of houses allow for social distancing and if the houses have clean surroundings, we can avoid the spread of diseases,” he added.

SHFC said with the ongoing pandemic, it continued to provide adequate housing, which has become even more crucial now given that viruses spread fast in congested informal settlements.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SHFC and the municipal government of Jones, Isabela, SHFC will finance the lot acquisition, site development, and house construction for the families.

Data obtained from the SHFC showed that the units to be built cover 36 square meters and cost P260,000 each.

Under the guidelines set by the SHFC, CMP member-beneficiaries can borrow between P480,000 and P580,000 for horizontal housing.

For vertical housing, the cost ranges between P700,000 and P750,000 for properties in the National Capital Region and other highly urbanized cities. In other areas, CMP member beneficiaries can loan anywhere between P600,000 and P650,000.

Farmers who are members of the CMP can also avail of SHFC funds of up to P500,000 for farm lots and a P50,000 Farmer Support Assistance.

Meanwhile, Jones Mayor Leticia Sebastian said the project is a realization of her longtime dream of providing decent and affordable housing for her constituents. She expressed optimism on the potential of the program.

“This will create jobs such as carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, and will open business opportunities for small enterprises,” Sebastian said. “This will encourage those who live in Jones to become even more industrious. We can look forward to a prosperous and happy life.”

The virtual MOU signing, the third of its kind for SHFC, attested to its dedication to its mandate despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Assistance Secretary Leira Buan and SHFC North Luzon Regional Operation Vice President Jones Tomas witnessed the activity.

The agency recently entered into similar agreements with Daet, Camarines Norte and Taysan, Batangas. SHFC has so far forged similar agreements with 89 local government units, including 14 new partners added this year.

To date, it has provided housing to more than 350,000 families through over P16 billion in loan assistance under the CMP.