DHSUD chief unveils 2022 plan for housing 

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario on Monday presided over the first meeting of the National Human Settlements and Urban Development Coordinating Committee (NHSUDCC) for 2022 – setting the housing sector’s thrusts for the year.

During the forum held via video conference, Secretary Del Rosario issued his guidance on how the Department, along with its key shelter agencies (KSAs), can achieve its goals and align initiatives and efforts towards attaining their 2022 targets, particularly within the first semester when the Duterte administration completes its six-year term.

“We have a long road ahead of us. Our tasks and responsibilities are never ending. But as long as we keep moving forward and try to hurdle each of these challenges as TEAM BALAI, even if we encounter setbacks, we’ll still deliver outstanding results with heads high and proud to be among the stars,” Secretary Del Rosario said.

For 2022, the key directives include the completion of priority housing projects, ramping up housing production and finance in line with the Philippine Development Plan and Sustainable Development Goals, formulation of policies and guidelines to streamline housing permits and processes, promotion of effective land use among LGUs and the development of internal systems and processes to strengthen institutional capacities.

Secretary Del Rosario noted that DHSUD, together with the KSAs, has been working tirelessly in addressing the housing needs of Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, despite numerous stumbling blocks since the Department’s full operationalization in 2020.

He cited the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and several typhoons that adversely affected numerous parts of the country as among the sticking points that had hampered DHSUD’s operations. The good thing was, according to Secretary Del Rosario, the Department and the KSAs stepped up to the plate and still delivered.

“To say that the past two years had been challenging is an understatement. But inspite and because of these challenges and difficulties, we have continued to persevere to deliver our targets and serve our people,” Secretary Del Rosario stressed.

The housing czar also commended the KSAs after they presented their respective key accomplishments for 2021.

“Despite all the roadblocks, I am proud and happy with what we have accomplished. As we know, the term of the current administration is nearing its completion, with barely six months remaining.  Much has been done, but there is still so much more we need to do to accomplish the targets we have earlier set,” Secretary Del Rosario added.

Hence, he reiterated his call for the NHSUDCC to further maximize their efforts in attaining their goals for this year and beyond.

The NHSUDCC is composed of the heads of the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SFHC) and the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC).

Officially activated in June last year, the committee serves as a platform to strengthen coordination between DHSUD and KSAs in carrying out the Department’s housing and urban development policies and programs nationwide.

Chaired by the DHSUD Secretary, the committee is tasked to recommend policies and programs for approval of the National Human Settlement Board, monitor and evaluate the functions of KSAs and facilitate the harmonization of housing programs and streamlining of processes to eliminate overlaps.