The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Monday, Oct. 24, opened the 2022 National Shelter Month (NSM) Exhibit at its main office in Quezon City where model houses that highlight building resiliency and sustainability for in-city and vertical housing development and alternative secure housing tenures were showcased.
This year’s NSM theme is dubbed, “Abot kayang pabahay tungo sa panatag na buhay,” which is in line with the administration’s aim to build one million housing units per year in the next six years.
In his opening remarks, DHSUD Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Garry De Guzman reaffirmed the government's commitment to eliminating the nation's housing backlog, which is estimated to total more than 6.5 million units, and emphasized the significance of stakeholders' support from both the public and private sector.
He sought the participation of representatives from the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers PH (OSHDP), the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Association Inc. (CREBA), and the National Real Estate Association (NREA) in the administration's priority housing program.
“If we divide the work, we can produce the six million in six years. If we are working together, and we are putting our resources together, we can produce that six million para sa mahihirap nating kababayan (for our poor countrymen),”he said.
According to De Guzman, the DHSUD is currently working with some developers to create standard designs for the 30, 20, and five-story buildings, ensuring consistency in the specifications of the Pambansang Pabahay housing units.
Representatives from SHDA, OSHDP, CREBA, and NREA expressed their support and commitment to achieving the shared goal of ensuring that every Filipino has a home of their own.
Throughout the month, DHSUD central and regional offices planned a variety of activities such as caravans, housing fairs, and webinars to further disseminate information about the PBBM housing program.
The NSM will conclude on Friday, Oct. 27, with the unveiling of the DHSUD building marker and a press conference with Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, other DHSUD officials, and Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez.