The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has initiated 17 housing projects for 2023 which are expected to build residential units to thousands of informal settler families (ISFs) and low-income earners across the country.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the 17 housing projects are currently in various stages of development and construction throughout the country.

Included in these projects, according to the official, is the construction of 300 units at the Asenso Yuhum Residences in Bacolod City which are set to be turned over in the next few weeks.

He added that more units are expected for delivery in the coming months.

"I am confident that 2024 will be a milestone year for our President's Pambansang Pabahay. Slowly but surely, we are now reaping the fruits of our labor," said Acuzar.

What further boosted the optimism of Acuzar is the arrpoval of around P13 billion revolving credit lines recently approved by the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund in support to the government’s housing program.

He is referring to the P12 billion and P929 million revolving credit lines for the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), respectively.

The credit lines would allow the development and construction of more than 11,000 housing units by the NHA and SHFC in attainment of the 4PH program.

"This (approved credit lines) will not only sustain the positive momentum we have gained in the nationwide implementation of Pambansang Pabahay, but equally important, it will further bolster private sector confidence," said Acuzar.

"We expect more private partners, especially finacial institutions, developers and contractors to actively participate in the program this coming year," he added.

From January to November 2023, the Department has issued license to sell (LS) to 642 projects, comprising 489 new and 153 amended licenses. This equates to a total of 123,985 residential and 256,834 non-residential units. The issuance of LS protects homebuyers from unscrupulous developers and transactions since it requires the conformance of these projects with the prescribed standards.

In addition, 15,839 real estate dealers, brokers and/or salespersons were registered to ensure buyers’ protection with accredited sellers.

On urban development, the Department reported a cumulative data of 754 local government units with approved Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) for sustainable and resilient human settlements. It also reviewed 108 CLUPs, Provincial Physical Framework Plans and Zoning Ordinances for compliance with land use and urban planning guidelines.

Meanwhile, a total of 24,571 registered homeowners’ associations, 224 federations and 24 confederations are being monitored around the country as of October 2023.

Also, Acuzar said President Marcos’ issuance of Executive Orders 34 and 35 as huge push to DHSUD’s pursuit to its mandates, particularly on the provision of sustainable housing, human settlements and urban development.

The President issued the EOs in fulfillment of his commitment not only to housing program but to the overall development of the sector, putting premium on the welfare of the poorest of the poor.

The EO 34 declared the “Pambansang Pabahay” as the flagship program of the government and directed all government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and controlled corporations to submit their inventory of available lands while EO 35 created the Inter-agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD), also headed by DHSUD.