DEVELOPERS MEET, DISCUSS SOLUTIONS FOR THE COUNTRY’S HOUSING INDUSTRY

September 24, 2022 Headlines

As of 2017 , housing backlog estimated at 6.7 million ; developers target building two million for 2022

Every Filipino family aspires owning a home. Years, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA) has relentlessly been trying to make that dream a reality -providing a home for every Filipino.
Based on the SHDA social media page, starting October 5, the (SHDA) in partnership with the newly created Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will have its national
convention to be held at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City , Taguig City.

Developers , policymakers, suppliers and other housing industry stakeholders will gather in the two-day event to discuss macro trends, current issues and solutions in the industry. Some SHDA local developer chapters in the Cordillera region are reportedly set to participate in the said convention.

With its theme “Change proofing the Industry: Building Homes for Filipinos, Today and Tomorrow,” the National Developers Convention 2022 aims to address the new administration’s priorities for the housing industry, importance of digitalization to meet the emerging challenges caused by the pandemic and global economic crisis.

SHDA President May Rodriguez said , the event will provide an avenue for developers, policymakers and
industry stakeholders to meet and discuss the future partnerships that can help its organization build more
affordable housing for Filipinos through policy reforms and dialogues.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has made the country’s rising housing backlog a priority. And based on earlier reports, President Marcos has created plans -involving private developers and financial institutions in a more participative and inclusive approach to built more houses.

Housing backlogs Jeffrey Ng an official of SHDA said, among the reasons confronting (housing) backlogs—“is the cost of the house vis-à-vis the income and ability to pay for the monthly amortization. Ng pointed out that their group is working in reducing –cost of land. Ng explained that by artificially limiting the amount of land available for housing, it makes land expensive.

There is the issue of land conversion. It was learned that it takes more than two years of converting land
for housing, however, recently, the agrarian department has reduced its processing period from 24 months to 30 days. Other problems contributing to the increasing housing backlog are– the outdated building codes, and availability and affordability of socialized housing.

Years, SHDA has introduced the concept of “incity” socialized housing. Meanwhile, SHDA officials met with the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development Hon. Congressman Jose Francisco Benitez and Committee Secretary Nelson Rendon and discussed Legislative Priority Proposals and areas of concerns of the housing industry for legislative initiatives.

Chairperson of the SHDA Legislative Committee Atty Joy Manaog underscored SHDA initiatives and areas of concerns as follows; Access to Land; Rationalization of the licensing and Permitting process for housing projects; Sustainable and accessible financing for housing; Public Housing and other government Programs for the lower income segment of the population; Incentives to private developers to enhance
greater participation in housing activities and the enactment of pertinent laws for a smart, sustainable, resilient and green housing and communities.

Other matters discussed were : importance of access to Land and overall Land Use Policy for the success of the National Shelter Program of the government. President may Rodriguez pointed out the need for updated Comprehensive land Use Plans for the various local government units as guide to the government and the private sector for planning and implementation of their respective activities and programs.

Primo Agatep/ABN