The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is optimistic that the construction of the housing projects, which are supposed to address the 6.5 million housing backlog until 2028, would go full blast within this year.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the initial construction phase is expected to be within the first semester of 2023, or within the first six months of this year.
"I am optimistic that we can start with the construction of the projects with complete documentary and legal requirements in a few months. And we expect to go full blast within the year," said DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar.
He is referring to the township housing projects as part of the agreements with some of the 47 local government units (LGUs)
But for the vertical housing projects that include mid-rise and high-rise buildings, the start of the actual construction is longer-- up to two years.
Acuzar, however, said that of the 47 LGUs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, 12 had already broken ground for their housing projects, the recent groundbreaking was attended by President Marcos in Palayan City in Nueva Ecija on Dec. 21.
The DHSUD is eyeing the construction of one million housing units every year until the 6.5 million housing backlog is completed.
The housing projects got the backing of several government financial institutions (GFIs) like the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, which allocated P250 billion for the program; the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Government Service Insurance System, the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Social Security System.
The program was also boosted by the support of the country’s private developers' groups, like the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc., the National Real Estate Association Inv and the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines.