The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Wednesday, Aug.17, shared its plans to address the present six million units housing backlog.
During a meeting with the Senate Committee on Urban Development, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar discussed the priority programs that will benefit informal settler families (ISF) residing in danger zones, and address the growing housing gap in the country.
“We crafted plans based on our assessment of the sector. As we can see now, there are two main bottlenecks that we must address to conquer the housing backlog in the country – first is access to funding and second, affordability. That is the direction of our strategies,” Acuzar said.
He said one of the Marcos administration’s aims is to provide decent and safe human settlements and townships to the underprivileged Filipinos in the country.
DHSUD Assistant Secretary Avelino Tolentino III emphasized they focus on the development of 10 priority areas and on the urban renewal project sites in major cities and ISF sites along esteros and waterfronts in major urban areas nationwide.
The department will also promote urban development in blighted areas, waterways, and high-risk coastal communities that are occupied by the ISFs.
“We are involving as many players as possible who are capable to help us achieve our ultimate goal to produce and finance quality houses for Filipinos. This is where our partner-developers will come in. We seek the support of our legislative branch to attract the participation of the private sector in government housing programs,” Acuzar said.
“Moving forward, we appeal for the support of the Congress on pushing for the Department’s budget proposal, specifically, the inclusion of P36 billion housing interest subsidy every year which will serve as catalyst of housing production,” he continued.
Senator JV Ejercito, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Resettlement, said that human settlements and urban development should be included in the master plan or blueprint of the country’s overall development plan. KC-ag
