A Quezon City housing community has become the first under the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to be enrolled in the Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP), following a collaboration with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) and concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. The rollout was formalized on April 29, marking a key step in extending utility support to socialized housing beneficiaries.
The initiative provides discounted water rates to more than 80 households of the Samahang Magkakapitbahay na Nagkakaisa (SAMAGBANAI) Homeowners’ Association, Inc. in Barangay San Agustin, Novaliches, Quezon City. The group forms part of SHFC’s High Density Housing Program, which relocates families from waterways and other hazard-prone areas into permanent and safer communities across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Expanding access to subsidized water services
The program builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025 between SHFC and MWSS RO, aimed at enrolling qualified housing beneficiaries in the ELP. The government-backed scheme grants discounts on the basic water charge for low-income households consuming 20 cubic meters or less per month, helping ease recurring utility expenses.
The initiative is also aligned with the directive of Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling to advance more inclusive housing programs, in support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
On-ground rollout in Quezon City
The enrollment activity, titled “Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP) Edu-Caravan: Mas Abot-kayang Serbisyong Patubig para sa mga Kwalipikadong Tahanan,” brought together officials from implementing agencies and partners. It was led by SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa and MWSS RO Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Lester Ty, with participation from Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Customer Experience and Retail Operations Head Rodolfo Baylas, Jr., alongside local government representatives.
In his remarks, Laxa underscored the role of inter-agency coordination in easing household expenses. “Dahil sa matibay na ugnayan ng dalawang ahensya ng pamahalaan, mas mapapagaan natin ang buwanang gastusin ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Ty emphasized the program’s role in improving access to essential services for low-income families, while Baylas reaffirmed Maynilad’s commitment to maintaining reliable water delivery in support of the initiative.
Sustained collaboration to widen program reach
SAMAGBANAI President Ric Kilaton expressed appreciation for the support extended to the community, noting that the ELP provides both financial relief and reassurance of continued government assistance amid daily challenges.
With ongoing coordination between SHFC, MWSS RO, and its concessionaires, more housing communities under SHFC are expected to be included in the Enhanced Lifeline Program, broadening access to discounted water services for qualified households.
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