For 47-year-old Elmer Reyes, president of San Isidro Labrador Homeowners’ Association, Inc. (HOAI) Phase 1, the land titles awarded to their community are more than just legal documents—they are the culmination of years of hope, perseverance.

That long-awaited dream became a reality after the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) awarded Transfer Certificates of Title (TCTs) to around 70 member-beneficiaries from San Isidro Labrador Phase 1, 2, and 3 during a ceremony held in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City, Rizal on July 1.

The title awarding was led by DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, together with SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares III. The event underscored the government’s commitment to providing secure land tenure through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), one of the housing initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

In his message, Laxa emphasized that the CMP is more than just a program—it is one that transforms the land ownership dreams of low-income families into reality.

 “Napaka-swerte poninyo dahil ngayong araw na ito ay matatanggap na ninyo ang pinapangarap ninyong titulo sa mga lupain ninyo, kaya binabati ko po kayo sa matagumpay ninyong pagkamit ng inyong inaasam-asam na dokumento,” he said.

Ynares, meanwhile, thanked the national government for continuously fast-tracking housing programs that benefit Antipolo residents. He stressed that the land titles not only provides his constituents with legal ownership but also with security, peace of mind, and greater opportunities to improve their quality of life.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Reyes reminded fellow members that the titles they received symbolize far more than ownership. “Ang mga titulong ating tinanggap ngayon ay hindi lamang legal na dokumento, ito ay simbolo ng ating mga pangarap, mga sakripisyo, at katiyakan ng ating paninirahan,” he said.

The ceremony follows another successful title awarding held by SHFC and DHSUD in Antipolo, where more than 130 families from Sitio Sto. Niño de Pasig HOAI in Barangay Sta. Cruz received their TCTs last week. These activities reflect DHSUD’s continuing commitment under Aliling’s leadership to bring government housing services closer to the people.

Established in 2004, SHFC is a key shelter agency under the DHSUD mandated to implement community-driven housing programs for low-income and underprivileged Filipinos. Through the CMP and the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), it continues to empower organized communities by providing them with affordable financing and the opportunity to become legal owners of the land they have long called home.

For more information on SHFC projects and application procedures, the public may visit www.shfc.gov.ph or call (02) 5322-7300.