PCC, DHSUD assure no single domination in housing market

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) have joined forces to prevent any single real estate firm from dominating the market.

This objective was formalized through a newly signed memorandum of agreement (MoA) aimed at fostering a more competitive housing sector in the country.

Sealed on Friday by PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar at the DHSUD office in Quezon City, the MoA mandates collaboration between the two agencies in key areas. These include monitoring the housing sector for anti-competitive practices, coordinating on policy formulation, and supporting investigations and enforcement of competition laws.

Additionally, the agencies will share relevant data and documents related to mergers, acquisitions, and enforcement cases. They will also conduct joint capacity-building activities and hold regular consultative meetings to address sectoral concerns and enhance their understanding of competition law and policy.

"We hope that this joint objective will help steer us towards a future where housing becomes more attainable and affordable, where no single firm dominates the housing market, and where every Filipino can reasonably aspire towards a home," Aguinaldo said.

The partnership builds on the PCC’s ongoing efforts to address anti-competitive practices in the housing sector. Previously, the PCC fined a property developer for abuse of dominance through an exclusive internet service provider (ISP) arrangement. It has also issued Enforcement Advisory Letters to developers whose condominiums or subdivisions were subject to complaints for exclusive ISP arrangements, giving them an opportunity to rectify practices and avoid legal proceedings.

The MoA with DHSUD is the PCC's 32nd memorandum overall, underscoring its commitment to fostering fair competition and strengthening regulatory coordination. Since its establishment in 2016, the PCC has partnered with multiple government agencies, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Agriculture.

Under the Philippine Competition Act, the PCC is tasked with ensuring fair market competition, safeguarding consumer welfare, and investigating businesses that engage in anti-competitive agreements, abuse their market position, or pursue harmful mergers and acquisitions.