FOR many working Filipino families, owning a home does not end the pressure of rising utility bills. Over time, these recurring costs can make homeownership harder to sustain, even after purchase. One way to address this challenge is by designing homes that can reduce these expenses long after the keys are handed over.
Property technology firm Lhoopa and the Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund are responding to this need through a new partnership focused on integrating energy and water efficiency into affordable housing. The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to support green, cost-efficient homeownership for eligible Pag-IBIG members, starting with Townhill Tanay, a Lhoopa-developed housing community in Rizal. Under the partnership, Pag-IBIG will provide financing for qualified members who purchase homes in this development.
Townhill Tanay is a 96-unit community designed to lower everyday household costs through built-in efficiency features. Each home is certified under the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) standard, an international framework supported by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank. The certification independently verifies improvements in energy use, water efficiency, and material performance compared to conventional housing.
Homes in the development integrate rooftop solar power, energy-efficient lighting, insulated walls and roofs, reflective exterior finishes to reduce heat gain, water-saving plumbing fixtures, and window designs that enhance natural ventilation. Together, these features are intended to help families better manage monthly utility expenses while improving comfort in a climate-exposed environment.
“Townhill Tanay represents the kind of affordable housing we at Pag-IBIG have been looking forward to,” said Fermin Sta. Teresa Jr., senior vice president for Home Lending Operations at Pag-IBIG Fund. “By acquiring, improving, and upgrading homes with these green features, Lhoopa is demonstrating a strong model for affordable housing that delivers real, long-term value to Pag-IBIG members. This is precisely the kind of development that protects our members, strengthens homeownership sustainability, and raises the standard for affordable housing.”
“Designing homes that use less power and water creates benefits that families can feel every month,” said Bianca Amores, vice president for planning and construction at Lhoopa. “Beyond cost savings, better ventilation and temperature control improve daily living. Over time, these efficiencies give families more room to plan, prioritize essentials, and work toward long-term stability.”
The article was originally published in The Manila Times.
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