New DHSUD chief targets developer negligence

In a bold first move as head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling issued a directive aimed squarely at holding property developers accountable and protecting homebuyers from prolonged disputes and unfulfilled promises.

Just hours after taking his oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Aliling signed a department circular mandating the “expeditious handling and disposition of buyers’ complaints against developers of subdivision and condominium projects.”

“Homebuyers and other real estate clients deserve better,” Aliling said. “It makes a huge difference if we can resolve their concerns more quickly and efficiently.”

Aliling stressed that complaints must be addressed “fairly, transparently, expeditiously, and, as much as possible, without added stress and cost to homebuyers.”

Under the circular, DHSUD Regional Offices are required to submit bi-weekly reports to the Central Office detailing the status of complaints. The measure is seen as a step toward stricter monitoring and stronger accountability mechanisms across the housing sector.

In his speech during Monday’s turnover ceremony at the DHSUD central office, Aliling reiterated his stance: “We are setting up a system to bring complaints directly to the Office of the Secretary. These will be acted on swiftly.”

He also extended the initiative to cover issues faced by homeowners associations.

“We will study how DHSUD can help resolve these concerns so that homeowners don’t end up in court unnecessarily,” he said.

Aliling’s first official act signaled a no-nonsense approach to housing governance, sending a clear message to developers that delays, broken promises, and poor after-sales service will not be tolerated under his watch.