Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling has pledged to take swift action on the recommendations from the country’s leading developers’ groups to strengthen the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program and accelerate housing production.
In a joint letter addressed to Aliling, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA), National Real Estate Association (NREA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) submitted their recommendations to support the government’s housing initiatives. This collaboration follows Aliling’s request for input from stakeholders on enhancing the expanded 4PH.
“We collectively reiterate our support to DHSUD in the achievement of our common goals and objectives for the success of the National Shelter Program,” the joint letter stated.
The letter was signed by Noel Cariño and Jerry Navarette of CREBA; lawyers Amador Tolentino Jr. and Imelda Magtoto of NREA; Charlie Brown Tan and Paolo Giovanni Olivares of OSHDP; and engineer Francis Richmond Villegas and architect Leonardo Dayao Jr. of SHDA.
The organizations emphasized the need to prioritize the release of guidelines for including horizontal projects in the 4PH Program, rationalize permitting and licensing processes, and review socialized housing price ceilings to ensure responsiveness to current market conditions. These priorities align with those set by the new DHSUD Secretary.
“Let me assure our private partners that DHSUD will act swiftly on your recommendations in furtherance of our common goal to provide livable, affordable, and sustainable communities,” Aliling stated.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector to advance the President’s flagship housing program. “As instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., our expanded 4PH will prioritize those in the lower-income bracket and the poorest of the poor… thus, DHSUD’s doors are wide open for your recommendations to further improve the flagship housing program and to cover more beneficiaries,” he added.