The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has launched a proactive campaign to resolve long-standing issues within homeowners’ associations (HOAs) nationwide, shifting toward a “people-centered” approach to community management.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling announced the initiative following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize grassroots engagement.
The agency plans to revisit existing guidelines and increase direct interaction with local communities to minimize disputes and boost organizational productivity.
According to Aliling, the department’s primary goal is to empower HOAs through education regarding current government regulations.
He emphasized that being proactive and engaging directly with communities allows the government to treat HOAs as partners in nation-building.
To execute this, Aliling directed Undersecretary Roman Nicholo Molina and the Homeowners Associations and Community Development Bureau (HOACDB) to review and improve department policies.
There are currently over 26,000 registered HOAs and neighborhood associations in the Philippines.
The DHSUD identified several recurring issues that frequently cause friction within these organizations, including disputes regarding election processes, disagreements over the terms of officers, and conflict surrounding the collection and management of association fees.
Undersecretary Molina confirmed that an intensified information and education campaign is underway to clarify these regulations, noting that better-informed stakeholders are less likely to encounter legal or administrative conflicts.
The move is part of Aliling’s broader “open door” strategy, which encourages private developers, non-government organizations, and urban poor groups to provide input on housing initiatives.
The department confirmed that various technical working groups are currently reviewing recommendations submitted by these stakeholders to harmonize government programs with the needs of the private sector and local residents.
Aliling vowed that the agency will remain accessible to all stakeholders to ensure the delivery of decent, safe, and affordable housing for Filipino families.
