The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), together with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and 13 other government agencies, launched a joint initiative to streamline and digitalize housing projects nationwide.

Under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2026, participating agencies aim to simplify the processes involved in acquiring, constructing, developing and disposing of housing developments.

“The Joint Memorandum Circular brings together 15 participating agencies [including ARTA] through a coordinated implementation that removes duplication, facilitates housing applications, and enables homes to reach Filipino families within a shorter period,” ARTA secretary and director general Ernesto Perez said in his opening remarks.

The agreement was signed alongside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Land Registration Authority, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the National Electrification Administration, among other partner agencies.

“We gathered all other 14 regulatory agencies through a series of workshops, where we studied and analyzed their processes to determine which requirements could be removed and streamlined,” Perez said in an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE.

Perez said the participating agencies agreed to reduce documentary requirements for housing applications. A technical working group headed by the DHSUD, with ARTA serving as vice chair, will oversee the effort.

He added that the agencies will continue to engage with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure the circular is effectively implemented.

“Every Filipino dreams of having a place they can call home. And through this, we will be able to help the government, according to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that every Filipino will have a place they can call home,” Perez said. “The JMC is the first step towards achieving this dream.”