Engineer Aliling tapped to lead DHSUD, fast-track housing push

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed engineer Jose Ramon Aliling as the new Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), signaling a renewed push to close the country’s massive housing gap.

Aliling takes over the department at a critical time, as the administration’s goal of building 1 million housing units annually under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program struggles to gain full traction. With the national housing backlog estimated at six million units, delivering on the 2028 target has become increasingly urgent.

Previously serving as DHSUD undersecretary, Aliling was instrumental in the early implementation of the 4PH program and the Pasig: Bigyang Buhay Muli river rehabilitation initiative. His appointment follows the reassignment of former housing chief Jose Rizalino Acuzar, now Presidential Adviser for Pasig River rehabilitation.

A civil engineer by training, Aliling graduated from De La Salle University and quickly made his mark in the construction industry. By 29, he became the youngest president of the Construction Project Management Association of the Philippines and an adviser to DLSU’s College of Engineering at just 26.

His career is defined not just by technical expertise but by a consistent advocacy for transparency, professional integrity, and inclusive development. Through his Probinsiyanong Inhinyero program, Aliling has mentored and employed engineers from underserved provinces, offering them access to high-level industry opportunities.

A pioneer in construction monitoring, he introduced live video streaming and real-time documentation systems that enhance project accountability and auditing. His firm, Jose Aliling Construction Management Inc. (JACMI), became the first in the Philippines to earn triple ISO certification for quality, environmental responsibility, and occupational safety.

Aliling’s humanitarian credentials also include funding and managing pro bono construction for churches, child nutrition programs, medical missions, and support for youth and special education institutions. His civic leadership was nationally recognized in 2015 when he received The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award for Civil Engineering—the first in that category since the award's founding.

With a track record that bridges the private and public sectors, Aliling is expected to recalibrate DHSUD’s approach to meet the scale of the housing crisis. His leadership will be key in scaling the 4PH initiative, streamlining housing delivery systems, and strengthening partnerships with local governments and private developers.

As the Marcos administration enters the second half of its term, the housing sector is under pressure to deliver results. Aliling now faces the challenge of turning engineering precision into policy impact—building not just structures, but lasting solutions for millions of Filipinos.