DHSUD REGIONAL HUB. Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario leads the inauguration of the newly built and first Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Human Settlements Adjudication Commission in San Fernando City, Pampanga on Friday (Jan. 15, 2021). The new DHSUD regional office will cover the operations in the entire Central Luzon with the supervision of Dir. Lyndon Juntilla. (Contributed photo from DHSUD)
MANILA – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday has inaugurated its first-ever regional building in Central Luzon as part of efforts to strengthen programs within the housing sector.
Housing czar Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the inauguration is part of the agency's efforts to establish a strong foundation within its regional level and targets to intensify the provision of sustainable housing programs for all Filipinos.
The newly built three-story DHSUD and Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) building will cover the entire operations in Central Luzon which is located at the Diosdado Macapagal Government Center in Barangay Maimpis, San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Del Rosario reiterated that the DHSUD's guiding principle is "to consider that having a shelter is a right of every Filipino."
“With the department, we now have the right structure to ensure that this 81 percent (of Filipinos) will have better opportunity to have a house of their own that is decent, yet affordable,” he said.
He added the government's goal is not simply building houses for the people, but also to establish a sustainable community.
Del Rosario vowed that no substandard housing unit or project would be constructed under the Duterte administration.
He urged DHSUD personnel to step up the ease of doing business process in securing housing permits and licenses.
He noted that the accreditation and license to sell could prevent the developer from building a substandard housing project.
In partnership with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and other relevant government agencies, del Rosario assured to provide quality service to the public, particularly in the housing industry.
Del Rosario earlier said they are now finalizing the contents of the DHSUD's 20-year housing and urban development strategic plan and roadmap which is set to be completed within the first quarter of this year.
He cited the importance of having a proactive “National Housing Strategic Plan” to address the common issues of Filipinos, particularly the marginalized sectors, in terms of the real estate industry.
The 20-year housing and urban development strategic roadmap aims to provide adequate and affordable housing units for all Filipinos.
Del Rosario said the national housing strategic plan is intended to accelerate the building of high quality but affordable housing projects for Filipinos in partnership with the private sector.
The housing czar also vowed to stop illegal transactions in the housing and human settlement projects as they have intensified campaign against real estate scammers, including unscrupulous developers, brokers, and agents engaged in the illegal selling of real estate properties. (PNA)
