DAVAO CITY – The Davao City Council approved on third and final reading on Tuesday, Dec. 9, an ordinance adopting the city’s Local Shelter Plan for 2022-2031, a long-term housing framework aimed at addressing the needs of thousands of families waiting for safe and dignified relocation.

According to the city government, the LSP serves as a critical guide for addressing shelter gaps, particularly for households considered to be at the highest risk of homelessness.

This city has 14,981 households identified as affected and highly vulnerable, with 85 percent belonging to low-income families.

Committee on Housing, Urban, and Rural Development chairperson Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. said the passage of the measure symbolizes more than just legislative approval.

He said this was the city’s commitment to upholding residents’ right to adequate housing.

Mahipus noted that Davao City is currently dealing with a housing deficit of 77,850 units. This figure, he said, includes 9,578 households sharing space with other families, 68,237 units classified as displaced, and 35 individuals without homes.

The councilor said the displaced category covers families living in hazardous areas, those affected by infrastructure development, structures marked for demolition or eviction through court orders, and occupants of both government-owned and privately owned properties.

He added out that population growth over the planning years will create a further demand for 110,493 homes.

“Davao City must produce 188,343 housing units to catch up with the existing shortage and meet the projected needs from 2022 to 2031,” Mahipus said.

Mahipus said that the enormity of the situation demands action based on facts, legal frameworks, and compassion. “This Local Shelter Plan delivers precisely that,” he added.

Despite this, the councilor acknowledged that the city will only be able to construct a limited number of units, citing land availability, budget limitations, and lengthy procedures as significant constraints.

The LSP is estimated to cost P17.013 billion, as the planned housing units will be disaster-resilient, climate-responsive, and designed to be culturally and gender sensitive.

Mahipus said the project will require around 48.81 hectares of land. He added that the city currently has 57.16 hectares of available land across several areas, including Balai Pagbabago Davao, Los Amigos Relocation Area Phase 1, Barangay Talomo River, Barangay Manambulan, Barangay Tibuloy in Toril, and Barangay Langub in Maa.

He said the city’s housing options will include public rental units, temporary shelters, rent-to-own homes, lot-only arrangements, economic housing under a Deed of Usufruct, and other urban renewal and resettlement programs.

“This is a challenge to our conscience. Davao stands for decent and equitable shelter for all,” Mahipus said.

With the plan now approved, the councilor said the city government is expected to move forward with clearer direction in constructing housing units, implementing resettlement programs, and providing safer living conditions for families most in need.

Mahipus said the LSP will serve as the roadmap for coordinated housing interventions over the next decade.