Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling has committed to taking swift action on recommendations submitted by the country’s leading real estate developer groups to strengthen the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program and accelerate nationwide housing production.
The recommendations were submitted in a joint letter addressed to Secretary Aliling by the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations (CREBA), National Real Estate Association (NREA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA). The groups responded to Aliling’s earlier call for stakeholder input on enhancing the 4PH initiative.
The groups recommendations came after Secretary Aliling requested from the stakeholders inputs on how to enhance the expanded 4PH.
“We collectively reiterate our support to DHSUD in achieving our common goals and objectives for the success of the National Shelter Program,” read the joint letter, signed by Noel T. Cariño and Jerry M. Navarette of CREBA; Atty. Amador Z. Tolentino, Jr. and Imelda C. Magtoto of NREA; Charlie Brown T. Tan and Paolo Giovanni Olivares of OSHDP; and Engr. Francis Richmond Z. Villegas and Ar. Leonardo B. Dayao, Jr. of SHDA.
The organizations highlighted the need to prioritize the release of the guidelines for the inclusion of horizontal projects in the 4PH Program, rationalize permitting and licensing processes, and review the socialized housing price ceilings to ensure responsiveness to the current market situations, all of which aligns with the same priorities set by the new DHSUD Secretary.
“Let me assure our private partners that DHSUD will act swiftly on your recommendations in furtherance of our shared goal of providing livable, affordable, and sustainable communities,” Aliling said.
He emphasized that strong public-private collaboration is essential to fulfilling the mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship housing program.
"As instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., our expanded 4PH will prioritize those in the lower-income bracket and the poorest of the poor… thus, DHSUD's doors are wide open for your recommendations to further improve the flagship housing program, and to cover more beneficiaries," Aliling added.