Housing czar approves measures to boost vibrancy of real estate sector

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has approved three new measures meant to further boost the housing sector, as part of its commitment to provide decent, resilient, sustainable and affordable homes for Filipinos.

DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario signed three Department Orders (DOs) namely, DO-2021-008 or guidelines in the issuance of temporary license to sell (TLS) to private developers; DO-2021-009, which allows the extension of the period of completion of projects; and DO-2021-010, which adopts and implements the BALAI Filipino Public Rental Housing as alternative secure housing tenure.

Continuity

Department Order 2021-008 aims to address the concerns of the private sector on the issuance of other pre-requisites from national and local agencies before they can secure a license to sell (LS). These pre-requisites, coupled with restrictions in movement due to the pandemic, posed substantial delay in the issuance of LS by the Department.

Developers are only allowed and authorized to start selling lots and units after obtaining an LS.

“With this order, we expect continuity and sustainment of the vibrancy in the real estate sector. It’s definitely a huge boost to our private developers. Of course, the issuance of TLS comes with strict conditions and guidelines to protect the interest of homebuyers,” Del Rosario said.

“A TLS can address the urgent need of private developers to sell lots and units, thus, in turn will give premium to the housing sector in aiding the economy to recover faster amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Department will ensure that the interests of homebuyers are protected through the imposition of certain conditions and other requirements before a TLS is issued,” the DHSUD chief added.

Extension

DO No. 2021-009 meanwhile provides an additional year to complete all projects duly registered and licensed with the agency and the defunct Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

To recall, DHSUD issued last year DO No. 2020-009, which provided an additional year in the completion time of projects affected by the stoppage of developments due to quarantine protocols.

The lockdowns, however, remain in place this year, thereby causing delays in some projects and leaving buyers without access to their purchased property despite the extension. This prompted DHSUD to extend the completion period by another year.

“Considering the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic, the DHSUD needs to step up not just as a housing regulator, but more importantly as a housing production enabler in order to be a partner of the private sector in pushing forward our country towards economic recovery,” said Atty. Angelito Aguila, OIC-Director of the DHSUD’s Housing and Real Estate Development Regulation Bureau.

“These two department orders will surely ease up the current difficulties being faced by the private developers and boost construction activities towards greater housing production,” he noted.

BALAI

DO No. 2021-010 adopts and implements the BALAI Filipino Public Rental Housing as an alternative secure housing tenure. It promulgates the BALAI Filipino program as a way to provide adequate housing for Filipinos in well-planned communities as the scheme is anchored on the development of public housing units for renters or lessees.

The BALAI Filipino program primarily aims to close the housing gap, especially among low-income families while providing them with a stable and healthy environment with livelihood opportunities.

It likewise encourages participation from funders and production arms in ensuring that only quality, resilient, sustainable and affordable housing units are produced under the auspices of DHSUD and its attached agencies.