The national government is taking its anti-red tape campaign seriously as it now simplified the processing of alteration in subdivision plans for the sake of both the developers and the would-be unit owners.
This was announced by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) following the issuance of a memorandum circular by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which emphasized that the approval of the alterations of subdivision plans is not within the power of the local government units (LGUs).
In the memorandum, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos said that while local government units (LGUs) exercise jurisdiction over the application and approval of subdivision plans, “the application and approval of the alteration of subdivision plans has been institutionalized as the power and function of the DHSUD.”
Abalos cited Republic Act 11201 – the law that established the DHSUD in 2019 – and a Supreme Court ruling in stressing that the alteration of subdivision plans is not one of the powers of LGUs.
“As a matter of fact, the now-defunct Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board transferred such function to the DHSUD,” said Abalos.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said other regulatory functions devolved to the DHSUD included the issuance of permits, licenses, certificates and clearances, as well as the conduct of monitoring and imposition of sanctions under the mandates of the Department’s Housing and Real Estate Development Regulation Bureau and Homeowners Associations and Community Development Bureau.
Acuzar said the move is part of the government’s efforts to streamline and standardize housing and real estate development.
“This is aimed to not only simplify the DHSUD’s processes in applying for permits, licenses and certificates, but also to synchronize the same with other agencies, particularly the local government units, hence, the avoidance of redundant/unnecessary requirements and bureaucratic red tape,” said Acuzar.