Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan will be this year's keynote speakers at the National Developers Convention 2022 to impart solutions to enduring challenges in the housing industry and in support of the Marcos administration's key economic agenda.

The convention, slated to happen on 5 to 6 October at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is organized by the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA), in partnership with the DHSUD. It brings together developers, policymakers, suppliers, and other housing industry stakeholders to discuss macro trends, current issues, and solutions in the industry.

With the theme "Change-proofing the Industry: Building Homes for Filipinos, Today and Tomorrow," the National Developers Convention 2022 aims to tackle the new administration's priorities for the housing industry as well as the importance of digitalization to resolve the emerging challenges brought by the pandemic and global economic crisis.

"We proudly organize the biggest event for the housing industry, which brings together housing developers, policymakers and other housing stakeholders. The event will provide an avenue for them to meet and discuss future partnerships that can help us build more affordable housing for Filipinos through policy reforms and dialogues," SHDA president May Rodriguez said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration has made the country's rising housing backlog a priority, and is creating plans involving private developers and financial institutions in a more participative and inclusive approach for faster housing production.

In fact, President Marcos expressed through his State of the Nation Address his goal to strengthen the National Land Use Act of the Philippines which will provide for rational and holistic management and development of the country's land resources.

"The housing sector in the country needs aggressive efforts. Therefore, we have to involve every stakeholder that can take part in this advocacy of the new administration — that is to provide shelter to millions of Filipinos," Secretary Acuzar, for his part, stressed.

Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement chairperson, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, and House Committee on Housing and Urban Development chairman, Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, will discuss the legislative initiatives on housing and urban development.

Change-proofing the housing industry

The convention is expected to gather around 300 housing sector stakeholders, who will hear from speaker experts on how they can respond together to the disruptive changes in the housing sector.

On the first day of the event, speakers will spotlight the most talked-about topics, including urban planning and development initiatives, legislative initiatives on housing and urban development, sustainable financing for housing, and success stories of the private sector in housing and urban development programs.

Some notable speakers on the first day are chairperson and co-founder of 8990 Holding Inc. Mariano Martinez, Pag-IBIG CEO Acmad Rizaldi Moti, president and CEO of BDO Unibank Nestor Tan, chairperson of I-Remit Inc. Bansan Choa, president of Damosa Land Ricardo Lagdameo, president and CEO of Century Properties Group Jose Marco Antonio, and PRO-Friends co-founder Guillermo Choa.

The second day of the convention will highlight regional development and local government units' processes, innovation for housing through technology, incentives and smart subdivisions, public utilities in housing development, and public housing and subsidies.

Bacolod City Mayor and chairperson of League of Cities of the Philippines Alfredo-Benitez, Meralco president and CEO Ray Espinosa, vice president of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. Romeo Sabater, National Housing Authority general manager Joeben Tai, and  PhilGuarantee president and CEO Alberto Pascual are some of the speakers on the last day of the convention.