Manila, April 27 -- The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Pag-IBIG Fund on Monday opened a two-day housing fair, framing affordable homeownership as a vital tool for poverty reduction and national development.

The event, held at the Jose Rizal Coliseum in Calamba City, Laguna, serves as a one-stop platform for low- and middle-income earners to explore housing units, connect with accredited developers, and process housing loan applications on-site.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling underscored that providing families with access to decent and affordable shelter is a critical intervention in breaking the cycle of poverty.

"Ang pagkakaroon ng sariling tahanan ay hindi lamang tungkol sa tirahan. Ito ay ...