A demolition team knocks down houses at 145 Calamba St. in Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Quezon City on February 24, 2024 following a court order from Quezon City RTC Branch 101 in 2020. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Affordable housing is still out of reach of many Filipinos who do not have a stable income to cover monthly payments, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor said in a briefing on Tuesday.

PCUP Officer-in-charge Elizabeth Avila said most Filipinos who do not own a house are worried about their finances and about having a stable source of income.

She said many families have to focus on their daily needs and cannot set aside money towards owning a house.

“Palagay lang P15,000 ang isang housing unit, pero wala silang kakayanan nabayaran ito monthly dahil hindi stable ang kanilang kabuhayan. Isang dahilan ‘yan,” Avila said.

(Let's say a housing unit costs P15,000 but they can't afford to pay it monthly because their livelihood is not stable, that's one reason.

She added that it could also be a matter of "mindset" for would-be homeowners.

"Maaaring mindset din minsan. Kailangang baguhin natin ang paniniwala at values sa pagkakaroon at pag-acquire ng housing unit," she said.

(We have to change our beliefs and values towards owning a housing unit.)

Minimum wage earners in the National Capital Region earn P610 a day, or around P12,200 a month. 

WORKERS IN FORMAL, INFORMAL SECTOR DON'T OWN HOMES

The Philippines has a housing backlog of 6.5 million units, data showed.

Pag-IBIG Chief Executive Officer Marilene Acosta said 40 percent of Filipinos who have not acquired a house are formal workers and another 40 percent are informal workers.

In lieu of a certificate of employment, informal workers can submit a Certificate of Engagement as proof of their source of income.

Acosta said getting informal workers to register with Pag-IBIG can address their financial woes when it comes to purchasing a house.

“We’re doing the extra mile para ‘yong informal income earners and other working groups can become Pag-IBIG members, save with Pag-IBIG Fund," she said, adding all Filipinos who earn income should be members.

Pag-IBIG offers an interest rate of 3 percent for minimum wage earners who will avail of socialized housing units.

Avila added housing programs need to be sustainable and should take into consideration available job opportunities for future residents.

“Kung magkakaroon ng future housing programs, sana sabayang paghahanda sa magandang tahanan at ‘yong township ay kumpleto na lahat doon, mga opportunities at amenities na kailangan ng kababayan,” Avila said.

(If there will be future housing programs, I hope preparations for a good home and that township will happen at the same time, complete with all the opportunities and amenities that the people need.)