Aliling warns DHSUD staff: Shape up or be kicked out

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on Monday praised personnel who have embraced reforms but issued a blunt warning to those who remain inefficient or fail to align with the agency’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption.

Speaking at the department’s weekly flag-raising ceremony, Aliling stressed that adherence to the DHSUD’s 8-Point Agenda – particularly its anti-corruption mandate – is non-negotiable.

“We will let nothing slide here. We will not stop. You have three options: shape up, step out, or be kicked out,” he said in Filipino.

Aliling also underscored President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s marching orders to ensure public service that is “honest, clean, fast, and compassionate,” saying this will be the department’s guiding principle moving forward.

He cited recent milestones under the administration’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, including the revival and enhancement of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP). The updated Expanded CMP (ECMP) is projected to benefit about 7,000 families, with awards to beneficiaries expected to begin by October.

The DHSUD chief also announced the planned rollout of the Expanded 4PH’s rental housing modality, with the University of the Philippines (UP) eyed as the pilot site – pending the approval of the UP Board of Regents on 28 August.

On the agency’s Zero Backlog Program, Aliling commended the focal teams for slashing pending cases involving Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and Housing and Real Estate Development Regulations (HREDR) from 3,000 to just 900 in under two months.

“From 3,000, in less than two months since we started the Zero Backlog Program, we have reduced around 2,000 items,” he noted.

Despite these gains, Aliling admitted there is still “much to be improved” and disclosed that he has received negative reports from certain regional offices. He vowed to take appropriate action after verification is completed this week.