New DHSUD chief Aliling vows ‘zero tolerance’ on corruption

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday formally administered the oath of office to Jose Ramon P. Aliling as Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), signaling new leadership at the helm of the administration’s flagship housing agenda.

The ceremony, held at Malacañan Palace, was witnessed by Aliling’s parents and top officials from the housing and construction sectors.

In his remarks following the oath-taking, Secretary Aliling expressed gratitude to President Marcos and underscored his commitment to integrity and transparency in public service. “Pagdating sa corruption, kilala niyo po ako—zero tolerance po tayo sa corruption,” Aliling declared.

A civil engineer and seasoned figure in the construction management field, Aliling steps into the role with a firm grasp of both the technical and policy challenges of the housing sector. He previously served as DHSUD Undersecretary and played a key role in pushing forward the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, which aims to address the country’s multi-million housing backlog through sustainable and inclusive shelter solutions.

Aliling said his mission goes beyond completing housing targets. “More than the position, our real mission lies in the challenge to bring dignity and stability to every Filipino family and create sustainable communities where they can safely and progressively thrive,” he said.

He emphasized that the department's success would depend heavily on cooperation with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. “This isn’t just about numbers or construction milestones. It’s about giving people a decent place to call home by working with national government agencies, LGUs, property developers, and other stakeholders to make that happen,” he added.

Aliling’s professional background includes leadership roles in the Philippine Red Cross and the Confederation of Filipino Consulting Organizations. He is a recipient of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award for Civil Engineering and the Lasallian Achievement Award, and he served as the youngest board adviser of De La Salle University’s College of Engineering.

He replaces former DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who has been appointed Presidential Adviser for Pasig River Urban Development.

With Aliling now officially at the helm, the DHSUD is expected to accelerate the implementation of housing initiatives aligned with the Marcos administration’s goal of delivering one million housing units annually by 2028.