Developers push for 1M houses by 2016

SHDA believes that the goal of producing one million houses is very achievable. This announcement was reiterated during the recent housing fair led by Celis (front row, far right). He was joined by fellow officers and guests (front, from left): HDMF VP Juanito Eje, HLURB commissioner and CEO Antonio Bernardo, HUDCC secretary general Celia Alba, Home Guaranty Corp. director Melinda Adriano, Makati Councilor Ma. Theresa de Lara, (back row, from left) SHDA chair Tanchi, SHDA board of governor Arlene Keh, SHDA board adviser Jose de Guzman, Social Housing Finance Corp. EVP Eduardo Manicio and SHDA board adviser Bansan Choa.

After delivering 211,010 units in 2012 and 294,359 units in 2013, the country’s largest housing development association renewed its pledge to provide one million houses by 2016 ahead of its 23rd National Developers Convention slated from Sept. 25 to 26 in Cebu City.

Such a goal, according to Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) national president Ricky Celis, can and will be met if the private sector and the government work together.

Celis stressed: “Since the launch of the Philippine Housing Industry Plan: 2012-2030, the initial collaboration between government and private sector has already yielded promising results in achieving the short-term goal of one million homes by 2016. Such collaboration also proved that the housing industry can also be a catalyst to establish stronger linkages among different manufacturing sectors and further realize higher and inclusive economic growth.”

The Philippine Housing Industry Plan: 2012-2030 was prepared by SHDA in cooperation with the Center for Research and Communication of the University of Asia and the Pacific. The 2012 and 2013 housing start figures were based on building permits released by the National Statistics Office as well as SHDA’s research and education committee.

SHDA convention chair and SHDA first vice president Armenia Ballesteros said the keynote message on the opening day of the annual gathering will be delivered by Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito who is the chair of the Senate committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement.

“The first day of the convention will recognize the economic and social contributions of housing considering that last year, the construction sector contributed 6.2 percent in the country’s gross domestic product,” Ballesteros said.

Impact of investment

SHDA has also invited National Economic and Development Authority deputy director general Rolando Tungpalan who will talk on the economic and social impact of government and private sector investments in housing. Yan Zhang, a senior economist at the World Bank will discuss the topic, “Housing Subsidy: A Vital Component in Sheltering the Masses” while Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas managing director Augusto Lopez-Dee will talk on Sustaining Momentum and Safeguarding from Risks.

During a roundtable discussion on the current market affordability levels and absorptive capacity, Ateneo Graduate School of Business program director for real estate Enrique Soriano will talk on “Taking Advantage of the Market Potentials” while National Statistics Office’s interim assistant national statistician for economic sector statistics services Estella de Guzman will discuss “Understanding Affordability and Household Income and Expenditures in Housing.”

The afternoon portion of the first day will tackle the topic, “Ensuring Industry Preparedness to the Changing Business Environment.” Ballesteros said the topic is important considering there are number of bills pending in the Senate and Congress that can affect the whole industry value chain: land acquisition, site development and house construction, selling and property management. “These can delay or fasttrack the housing production across housing segments. On top of this, the industry also needs to look at emerging green technologies to prevent and prepare for disasters,” she said.

To give an overview on a typical housing business model acquisition, SHDA’s Roy Calleja and architect Joe de Guzman will discuss acquisition, house development, marketing and selling, and estate management.

Roundtable

Another roundtable discussion will be held in the afternoon with Representatives Albee Benitez and Romero Quimbo as well as Senators JV Ejercito and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. discussing the Impact of Legislative Measures in Housing Development. Topics to be covered include “Land Acquisition: Land Conversion bill that would pave the way for the National Land Use Policy Act (Nalupa)”; Housing Development: Housing Permits and Licenses (Local Housing Board Bill, Urban Development and Housing Act amendments, Compliance to Socialized Housing)”; and “Marketing and Selling: Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines (Resa Law)”.

After the discussion, Ruy Moreno will talk on the National Competitiveness Framework and Ranking of Cities and Municipalities. He will be followed by another special guest, Secretary Panfilo Lacson, presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery, who will talk on “Rebuilding Communities: Tacloban Initiatives and Partnership.”

Guillermo Choa of Property Company of Friends (Profriends) will present SHDA’s share on rebuilding efforts by discussing “Building Communities: A Developer Experience and Best Practice.”

The second day of the national developers convention will formally discuss SHDA’s effort to build one million houses by 2016 with Bureau of Investments governor Lucita Reyes talking on “Manufacturing Resurgence Program” and Dr. Henry Basilio, chief of party, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project (USAID COMPETE) discussing “Enhancement of Housing Industry Roadmap”.

Reports

The two will be followed by reports to be delivered by SHDA governor Gus Leonardo (on production); SHDA second VP Rodel Racadio (on regulatory); SHDA governor Arlene Keh (on subsidy and incentives); SHDA governor Noel Gonzales (on financing); and SHDA governor George Siy (on legislative).

To assess the current housing policies and new directions, another round-table discussion will be held with Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) Commissioner Antonio Bernardo giving updates on HLURB guidelines; Pag-Ibig president Darlene Berberabe on Home Development Mutual Fund Financing activities; BOI director Evariste Cagatan on the 2014 Investment Priorities Plan; Interior Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez, Department of Finance director Luis Sixtus Esquivias and Bureau of Internal Revenue regional director Hermeno Palamini on Informal Settler Families Program; and Land Registration Authority administrator Eulalio Diaz III on computerization of the agency.

Highlight of the two-day event is the presentation of the convention resolution to be led by Tanchi and Ballesteros.