The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), Inc. expressed optimism for addressing the housing problem in the country, driven by the synergy between the private and public sectors.
The industry association for housing and development in the Philippines recently partnered with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to hold the 33rd National Developers Convention, which gathered key government heads, industry leaders, and professionals in the housing and real estate sector.
The event served as a pivotal gathering, uniting public officials, private sector developers, suppliers, housing industry experts, and essential shelter sector stakeholders. It provides a platform for the administration to engage in dialogue regarding its housing and urban development policy and program priorities.
The SHDA noted that the convention’s deliberations are geared toward identifying effective strategies and viable solutions to tackle the hurdles facing the housing industry.
“One big difference, if I can say for this national convention without having to refer to the personalities of the past, is that at least the private sector represented by SHDA feels that we have a fighting chance in actually trying to solve the housing problem this time around,” SHDA National Chairman Leonardo Dayao Jr. said in a press conference.
“We have seen the commitment of the department (DSHUD), especially the likes of Usec. Faith as well as the Secretary,” he added, referring to DSHUD Senior Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz and Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
Dayao said that there has been a very pronounced difference in the way things are being acted upon by the department since June of this year, as well as in the relationship between the department and the private sector.
To recall, Aliling was appointed as Secretary of the DSHUD by President Marcos in May of this year.
“And it has been very positive, and in fact, we have seen a lot of pronouncements from that time. And I’m sure there will be some more positive news coming from the department, which would reflect the synergy between the department and the private sector. So hopefully, with all these changes, with all these pronouncements–especially this month–we can see a more vibrant housing industry until 2028,” Dayao said.
Conducting periodic dialogues with stakeholders is part of the DHSUD’s recently launched eight-point agenda. DHSUD said earlier that it will conduct periodic meetings with stakeholders to promptly address issues and strengthen coordination.
“The Department remains open to feedback and suggestions, committed to supporting all stakeholders in driving forward the construction of homes,” the DHSUD said earlier.
Aside from the periodic dialogues with stakeholders, Paquiz noted that as part of its zero-tolerance effort, the agency launched a zero-backlog program that aims to resolve pending regulatory cases filed with the agency.
“When we launched the zero-backlog program, we inventoried more or less 3,100 to 3,500 cases pending since 2020, and we were able to zero it out in six weeks,” she said in a press conference.
“What is good about this is that the applications for licenses to sell that have been pending or sleeping in the regional offices for the longest time have been released within a six-week period. It boosts the housing industry by issuing the necessary permits and licenses,” she added.
Paquiz explained that “too many delays breed corruption” when it comes to the issuance or release of required permits and licenses, as it builds the perception that one must pay for faster processing.
“The longer the application, the more they will be encouraged to ask how much they need to give for it to be released. This is what we are trying to kill in the department. It has to be released within a certain period of time,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Moreover, the DHSUD’s 8-point agenda also features an expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), which includes horizontal developments and other delivery modalities, to ensure more effective achievement of the program’s targets and availability of housing for lower-income to working class segments.
In line with the 4PH, the SHDA has pledged to deliver part of the 250,000 housing units committed by private developers. This contribution forms part of the administration’s target of building one million units annually.
Under the banner of “Recalibrate: Upgrading Housing Strategies for a Better Tomorrow,” the National Developers Convention 2025 discussed the industry’s current landscape and collective efforts to redefine housing and community development in the Philippines.
The convention also tackled how the sector can recalibrate its strategies through innovation, sustainable planning, financing reforms, and stronger public-private collaboration to address the evolving housing demands of Filipinos, bridge affordability gaps, and build resilient communities that drive national growth and social progress.
The SHDA is the foremost industry association for housing and development in the Philippines. With 350 members nationwide and eight regional chapters, SHDA maintains strong connections among the country’s top players and a dynamic national network of small and medium developers.
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