DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor confirmed that his committee is expediting approval of the city’s shelter plan, which lays out measures to ease the backlog in socialized housing and widen access to affordable homes for the people of Davao.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Committee on Socialized Housing Projects chairperson Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. said the plan aims to help informal settler families (ISFs) and low-income earners.

Mahipus said the shelter moves beyond conventional house-and-lot projects, proposing various affordable housing options, including city lease agreements, rent-to-own programs, and usufruct arrangements.

He added that his committee has also suggested expanding Davao City’s Urban Land Reform Program (ULRP) to allow qualified beneficiaries a “lot-only” purchase option as part of the plan.

“This way, families may acquire land even without the house-and-lot package, and use their own financing mechanisms to build their homes,” Mahipus said. “We hope that would also address the socialized housing backlog in the city.”

He said his committee is consolidating compliance data from high-end subdivisions and condominium developers legally mandated to set aside a portion of their projects for socialized housing.

The councilor, however, noted that while some high-end subdivisions and condominium developers pledged compliance, the extent of actual delivery remains unclear. He said they have to discuss the matter again.

Mahipus said the city invests in transition housing projects to assist ISFs and residents displaced from danger zones. The councilor has been reminding residents in danger zones to vacate the area.

Earlier last year, the councilor sought to craft an ordinance to establish safe and disaster-free shelters for ISFs living in high-risk areas, ensuring that designated relocation sites are ready whenever they need to relocate.

Mahipus said that a facility is under construction in Barangay Tibuloy in Toril on land purchased by Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte, which will serve as a temporary shelter for families awaiting permanent housing.

“These are semi-permanent three-story buildings, but the mayor has expressed openness to higher structures with provisions for elevators to maximize land use,” said Mahipus who thanked Mayor Duterte for supporting the plan.

He added that the city is exploring integrating transition housing into multipurpose barangay facilities, such as covered courts, following a suggestion from the City Housing Office to bring shelter closer to affected communities.

There are safeguards, he said, as the city follows local guidelines consistent with Republic Act 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act, in screening qualified beneficiaries.

The Urban Development and Housing Act aims to provide decent housing, basic services, and employment opportunities for the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas of the country.

Mahipus noted that the city’s zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) will guide the sustainable development of housing sites, some high-risk zones remain occupied, and residents in areas still need to be relocated.

“Our goal is to balance city and rural growth while ensuring socialized housing goes to those who need it,” Mahipus said, adding that the committee will soon submit a shelter plan and recommendations to the Davao City Council for approval.