FILIPINO TINY HOMES, ANYONE?

FILIPINO TINY HOMES, ANYONE?

Perhaps I should just say that the idea of tiny homes is nothing new in the Philippines. After all, we have always had our own versions—the bahay-kubo in the rural areas and the barong-barong in our informal settlements. Long before Americans coined the term “tiny home,” Filipinos were already living small, simple, and sustainable.

And if you ask me, I will tell you that there has always been a market for tiny homes here, because the smaller a house is, the more low-income families could afford it. Let’s be honest: housing affordability has always been one of our biggest problems. Millions of Filipinos live without secure housing, while real estate prices keep climbing. Tiny homes may not be the complete solution, but they could be a strong part of the answer.

Of course, some may recall that one local developer was once jokingly accused of selling “bahay-ibon” because the units were so small. That was satire, yes, but it reflects the tension between affordability and livability. The trick is to design tiny homes that are small yet functional, sustainable yet affordable.

Are Tiny Homes Just a Fad?

Having said all that, allow me to conclude that tiny homes, as marketed in the West, are still very much a product of American culture—perhaps even a fad, like the “pet rock” craze of the 1970s. But will tiny homes succeed here in the Philippines? My answer is yes, provided we adapt the idea to our own realities. It’s a matter of defining what counts as a tiny home, and most importantly, creating the legal basis for it.

Globally, a tiny home typically ranges from 18 to 54 square meters. In the U.S., some are built on trailers and marketed as mobile homes. In the Philippines, mobility may not be the key feature; affordability and durability should be. My fearless forecast is that sooner or later, this trend will become widely acceptable, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.

Policy and Financing Must Catch Up

The problem is not the lack of interest—it’s the lack of policy. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) should already be thinking of how to include tiny homes in its social housing programs. Likewise, PAG-IBIG should allow its members to borrow money to build or buy tiny homes. The banks should move faster too, by offering flexible micro-mortgages.

Why is this important? Because tiny homes can help address the country’s housing backlog, which according to government estimates could hit 6.5 million units by 2030. Traditional large-scale housing projects alone won’t close that gap. We need innovations—small, affordable, modular units that can be deployed quickly.

The Filipino Twist

Here is my own twist: our version of tiny homes should be tied to the circular economy and the green economy. That means using recycled materials—like reclaimed wood, upcycled steel, or even old shipping containers. It also means using renewable resources, like bamboo and farmed wood, which are abundant in the Philippines.

In fact, we already have innovators leading the way. Startups like CUBO Modular are building prefab bamboo homes, as small as 15 sqm, that are stylish, sustainable, and suited to tropical climates. They can be built in days, not months. Tiny eco-cabins are also popping up in resorts from Siargao to Palawan, catering to tourists who want minimalist yet eco-friendly stays. If it works for Airbnb rentals, why not for permanent housing?

Cost is another factor. A DIY tiny home in the Philippines can be built for ₱150,000 to ₱800,000, depending on design and materials. Contractor-built modular units cost around ₱17,000 to ₱25,000 per sqm. Compare that with the millions required for traditional houses in gated subdivisions, and you see why tiny homes could empower more families to become homeowners.

Tiny Homes for Disaster Resilience

Here’s another angle: tiny homes could be part of disaster recovery housing. Every year, typhoons displace thousands of families. What if we had a stock of modular, quickly deployable tiny homes—ready to serve as temporary or even permanent shelters? In the U.S., inmates in West Virginia are actually building tiny homes for hurricane survivors. Why can’t we do the same here, perhaps through TESDA training programs?

A Home is Still a Home

At the end of the day, a home does not have to be big to be meaningful. A bahay-kubo may be small, but it is dignified, functional, and sustainable. If we apply the same spirit today—blending cultural tradition with modern design—tiny homes could help solve our housing crisis while promoting green living.

So, Filipino tiny homes, anyone? I think the time has come.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

12-20-2025


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