Mass housing remains a priority for the government, a move that would certainly help address the country’s housing backlog.
The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA) welcomes the government’s announcement on the retention and inclusion of mass housing activities in the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP).
The largest alliance of private housing developers in the country said the move would ensure that incentives will be extended for participating stakeholders in mass housing activities. This would help address the housing backlog and facilitate the country’s economic recovery.
The 2022 SIPP continues to cover the development of mass housing units based on a specific price ceiling as part of the incentivised priorities of the country. It also covers in-city-low-cost dwelling projects for lease/rent.
For the National Capital Region, only in-city low-cost dwellings for lease/rent may qualify for registration.
Incentives
Memorandum Order No. 61 series of 2022 – Approving the 2022 SIPP – lists the priority economic and business activities that can avail of investment incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. It adopts the 2020 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) as Tier I — the base structure for the Philippine development. It also determines products or services that are not locally produced for consideration for Tier 2, and it identifies high technology activities critical to transforming the economy and attracting technology investments for Tier 3.
SHDA National president May Rodriguez said including mass housing under Tier 1 of the 2022 SIPP is a step to boosting the housing sector and addressing the housing backlog.
“SHDA advocates ensuring the retention and amplification of incentives for mass housing. And the inclusion of the housing sector in the 2022 SIPP is an important move to provide housing at the ideal price point to clear the housing backlog,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said granting incentives to the private sector who will participate in housing activities directly impacts housing production and supply as this will ensure their greater participation in the production of affordable housing.
She also mentioned that this newly approved plan would promote a competitive and resilient economy.
“Another positive impact of this is the economic multiplier effect of 3.14 times of housing on the economy. It will generate economic activities in the many industries attached to the housing sector and create corresponding employment which can address as much as five percent of the country’s total employment requirements,” Rodriguez said.
Green, efficient homes
Green housing, smart cities, and smart communities are all eligible for incentives. However, Rodriquez said, there is still a need to create guidelines and criteria for identifying what can be considered “smart housing and smart communities.” “Government and the private sector will have to develop specific guidelines and characteristics for smart housing and communities. But by incorporating the efficiencies from technology and building innovations with the fruits of green initiatives, our keywords are affordability, resilience, sustainability, and livability,” Rodriguez said.
