OSHDP officials continue to work on programs that could benefit many homebuyers.
2023 is a year of resilience and recovery for the housing industry—a better economy, improved government service delivery, and increasing demand for housing.
Mass housing developers even welcomed the long-awaited adjustment of socialized housing price ceilings for both subdivision and condominium projects.
However, it’s still a long way to go. There is no reason to slow down because there is still so much work to do. For this reason, the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers (OSHDP) listed some of its wishes for the year 2024:
1 Government must address “hidden costs” and “complex rules” in doing business in the country, “down to the community level.” OSHDP is echoing these sentiments raised by private business groups during the “Pilipinas Conference 2023.”
2 Further simplification and digitalization of housing-related processes by government instrumentalities like the Land Registration Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), etc.
It is noteworthy that the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), also known as the Pag-IBIG Fund, has come up with “Virtual Pag-IBIG,” and recently, with its “Home DevConnect.” These are innovative platforms that aim to revolutionize property financing by streamlining and simplifying the loan application process through digitalization.
Likewise, the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) is reportedly undertaking initiatives to digitize its “Housing Loan Receivables Program.”
3 Funding and acquisition of government lands for housing. The government initiative of vetting and listing lands for housing and urban development is well and good. Nevertheless, to effect their actual use, the government must come up with funds and procurement processes for this purpose, especially for/by local government units.
4 Government must undertake measures to promote land availability for housing. Land access through land conversion is not only tedious but also costly.
5 Housing must address the issue of climate change. The sector must define and adopt standards to reduce if not totally eradicate the carbon emission footprint of housing development.
6 Serious efforts must be exerted for the enactment of a National Land Use Act as well as the Revised National Building Code of the Philippines.
7 Appointment of private sector representatives in concerned bodies/agencies of the DHSUD. This will promote inclusion and strengthen private sector participation in policy making.
8 Implement the creation of housing one-stop processing centers which shall fast-track the processing and issuance of housing-related permits, clearances, and licenses.
Indeed, we still have a long way to go in meeting the housing needs of the country.
However, we are optimistic that with the combined efforts of the OSHDP and key shelter agencies, more and more families will be able to afford a roof over their heads over time.
The author is the president of the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines Inc. (OSHDP)