DHSUD celebrates National Shelter Month 

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will be kicking off this year’s celebration of the National Shelter Month through a series of activities for the whole month of October.

Carrying the theme “Ligtas at Matatag na Tahanan at Pamayanan: Kanlungan sa Gitna ng Pandemya at Nagbabagong Panahon (Safe and Resilient Shelter in the Time of Pandemic and Changing Climate),” the month-long event aims to further highlight the role of DHSUD and its key shelter agencies in providing access to decent, resilient and affordable shelters to Filipino families, especially amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

No less than DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario will spearhead the opening ceremony of the National Shelter Month during the fourth episode of the “Kapihan sa DHSUD: Housing Matters” on Friday together with the Department’s senior officials, led by Undersecretary Marylin Pintor, KSA heads and partners from the private sector.

Joining the Secretary virtually are Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti, National Housing Authority Assistant General Manager Vic Balba, Social Housing Finance Corporation President Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation President Carlos Luis Rabat and Human Settlements Adjudication Commission Executive Commissioner Melzar Galicia.

Officials from partner-developers – the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, the National Real Estate Association, the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines Inc and the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations – will likewise deliver their respective remarks expressing support to the housing sector.

Lined up for the celebration of the National Shelter Month are a series of housing fairs organized by DHSUD’s bureaus, services and regional offices; KSAs, and partner-developers like online forums and webinars as well as exhibits and virtual learning platforms.

There will also be MOA-signing ceremonies for several housing projects across the country, as well as ceremonies meant to recognize local government units, developers, HOAs and other stakeholders for their contributions in empowering further the housing sector.

An education and information campaign promoting the event will also be carried out through DHSUD’s official Facebook and Twitter pages, with topics ranging from securing consumer welfare to raising public awareness on the importance of the Comprehensive Land Use Program high on the agenda.

Proclamation No. 662 declares the month of October every year as National Shelter Month, recognizing housing as vital to the overall development of the country and enhancement of the social, economic and spiritual well-being of Filipinos.