SHDA conference tackles pressing housing issues in PH

It would be hard to imagine how the Philippines could achieve inclusive growth without addressing its burgeoning housing backlog and the ever precarious situation of informal settler families.

Data from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) showed that the country needed at least 5.6 million housing units to solve homelessness, while the National Housing Authority (NHA) had estimated that there were roughly 1.5 million informal settler families (ISFs) across the Philippines.

The bulk of these families are said to be living in Metro Manila, where there are around 600,000 ISFs or about 3 million people.

“The government has taken commendable steps to tackle the issue. But we still need to work harder to tackle issues like realizing in-city resettlement for the existing ISFs and delivering more affordable housing to prevent new slums from forming. This also highlights the importance of a more coordinated efforts of the government, civil society groups, private sector and communities,” explained Christopher Narciso, national president of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA).

‘Partners for Progress’

SHDA will hold its National Convention on Sept. 28 to 29 in Makati City.

“The two-day event seeks to address several issues, a reason why our theme this year is ‘Housing Partners for Progress Through Inclusive Growth’. We have also invited several key resource speakers to help us developers outline a unified statement that we will present to the chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Eduardo Del Rosario,” Narciso said.

SHDA national chair Willie Uy said Senate President Aquilino Martin Pimentel III will give the keynote address, while HUDCC deputy secretary general Avelino Tolentino will focus on “Housing 2022 and Beyond”. National Economic Development Authority deputy director general Rolando Tungpalan will deliver “Government’s Development Plan for Change.”

Discussion tracks

The first track of the discussions, entitled “Prospects for New Housing Developments,” will be about aligning practices and policies to ensure the adequate use of new infrastructure developments. It will also look into the need for community facilities, possible employment opportunities, and industrial zones.

Other speakers include Transportation Undersecretary Thomas Orbos; Metro Pacific Tollways president and CEO Rodrigo Franco; Prof. Enrique Soriano III of the Ateneo De Manila University; and Prof. Armin Sarthou Jr. of the University of the Philippines College of Architecture.

The second track, entitled “Strategic Plans to Enhance Lives”, will meanwhile focus on how the proposed plans will be implemented in accordance with the established strategies of the state to improve the quality of life.

Speakers include Santos Knight Frank business development director for facilities management Jose Lloren Jr.; Foundation for Economic Freedom president Calixto Chikiamco; and Pro-Friends president and CEO Guillermo Choa, who is expected to share his company’s project in Passi City, Iloilo.

The third track, according to SHDA, will be about sustaining growth through the continued efforts of all sectors in maintaining the momentum. Speakers for the said track include Leechiu Property Consultants Inc. CEO David Leechiu, and Sergio Andal Jr., USAID/Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity project chief oversight director.

Inclusive growth

Narciso will deliver the president’s report to formally open the second day of the event, to be followed by the fourth track entitled “Partnership for Inclusive Growth.”

Speakers include Home Development Mutual Fund CEO Acmad Rizaldy Moti; Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board commissioner and CEO Atty. Lloyd Christopher Lao; and Feroisa Francisca Concordia, Public-Private Partnership Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service director IV.

HUDCC chair Eduardo Del Rosario is also expected to formally receive the Convention Outputs from SHDA.

Formally closing the two-day event will be SHDA national chair Uy, who shares that policymakers need to recognize the broader aspects of the housing challenges and to support and promote legislation to cure the problem.