People's Ville is part of the expanded 4PH (Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pamilyang Pilipino), a flagship housing program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. designed to help Filipinos find quality yet affordable homes.
Divine Khine Honquilada Lomanta, a virtual assistant, dreamed of owning a home. She recalled, "We did not have land; we used to live in an area of a relative." She discovered People's Ville, a social housing project on a 16-hectare site in Calinan District, Davao City, through social media. Divine followed the project online, applied for a Pag-IBIG loan, and complied with the requirements. "I joined the orientation, and all the information and plans were clearly explained. It gave me the option to apply here," she said. She now occupies a 28.8-square-meter one-bedroom unit in Building 4, with a monthly amortization of just P2,400. "It is one of the most affordable social housing projects. I am happy to say I was approved because I followed the guidelines. I have been staying here for a year now," Divine added.
Former teacher Sheila Daigdigan and her family used to live in her aunt's house in Toril. Her husband, a public school teacher, applied for a unit in People's Ville. The house in Calinan is nearer to his school in Marilog. Sheila described the community: "People's Ville is nice for me because the amortization is very affordable, the house is family-sized, and there are guards. The place is beautiful, fresh, clean, and peaceful." They moved in last November.
Divine and Sheila are among 300 families already living in the housing project, which is comparable to privately developed condominiums. Margo Rabago, head of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), noted that many are attracted to the pricing and unit quality. "The 28.8-square-meter unit has a separate one-bedroom layout. It is fully tiled, including the bathroom, living room, and bedroom. It is also fully painted with permanent lighting and water connections. When you move in, you only need to bring your personal belongings," Rabago explained.
People's Ville offers amenities such as a gated entrance with security, a two-hectare central park with a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and a basketball court. Monthly amortization starts as low as P2,300 with no downpayment, equity, or reservation fee. Property management dues are included in the amortization. Rabago said applicants must be first-time homeowners or own no house or land. SHFC targets to build 7,200 residential units (72 buildings) in People's Ville, with 3,000 units (30 buildings) currently under completion. Interested parties can contact SHFC via its official Facebook page, SHFC 4PH Davao, or visit its office on the fourth floor of Pryce Tower in Bajada, Davao City.
