PCC, DHSUD deal bars shelter monopoly

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) joined forces to prevent monopoly in the real estate market.

Such aim is expected to be strengthened by the newly-signed memorandum of agreement (MoA) for a more competitive housing sector in the country.

Sealed on Friday between PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar at the DHSUD office in Quezon City, the deal between PCC and DHSUD mandates the two government agencies to collaborate on several key areas, including notifying each other of jurisdictional concerns, monitoring the housing sector for anti-competitive practices, coordinating on policy formulation, and supporting investigations and enforcement of competition laws.

Data sharing via deal

Further, the agencies will also share relevant data and documents on matters related to mergers, acquisitions and enforcement cases, conduct joint capacity-building activities, and hold regular consultative meetings to address common issues 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.

According to Aguinaldo, the partnership builds on the PCC’s ongoing efforts to address anti-competitive practices in the housing sector.

The PCC has previously fined a property developer for abuse of dominance through an exclusive internet service provider arrangement.

Moreover, the government’s anti-trust agency took further action by issuing Enforcement Advisory Letters to multiple property developers whose condominiums or subdivisions were the subject of complaints for having exclusive ISP arrangements.

The advisories offer developers an opportunity to rectify their practices and avoid lengthy legal proceedings.

The MoA with DHSUD is the PCC’s 32nd memorandum overall, underscoring the commission’s ongoing commitment to fostering fair competition and strengthening regulatory coordination across sectors.

Since its inception in 2016, the PCC has partnered with numerous government agencies and organizations, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Agriculture, among others.