DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor urged government housing agencies on Tuesday, June 2, to allocate free housing units to homeless families and people who can hardly afford payment schemes under current housing programs.

Committee on Socialized Housing Project and Oversight Chairman Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. made the call during the privilege hour of the 21st City Council regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod, following recent disasters affecting several families.

Mahipus cited housing initiatives implemented by the local government such as the National Housing Authority and the Social Housing Finance Corp., as well as by other agencies, which have benefited several families in Davao City.

However, the councilor said some intended beneficiaries remain excluded because they lack the capacity to pay even subsidized amortization rates. He added that housing should be viewed not only in terms of availability but also as a matter of human dignity.

"Accessibility means that intended beneficiaries can actually benefit from the program," Mahipus said, noting that while some low-income families can manage minimal payments, others cannot afford any financial obligations at all.

Mahipus said the government should not consider housing programs successful if underprivileged beneficiaries are still required to shoulder monthly amortizations beyond their means, as many low-income families struggle to meet even their basic daily needs.

"Housing should not be treated as a business venture or a source of income from low-income families through financing arrangements, especially when the beneficiaries are among the poorest residents who have little or no capacity to pay," he added.

To address the issue, the councilor proposed reserving a significant portion of the government housing inventory for homeless families and the poorest residents who cannot afford to pay under existing housing financing schemes.

He suggested that beneficiaries be allowed to occupy the housing units without amortization or occupancy costs through a gratuitous usufruct arrangement or similar mechanisms developed by government agencies for eligible families or individuals identified.

"The housing for the poorest sectors should not always be viewed primarily as a pathway to ownership but as a means of providing safety, stability, and dignity," Mahipus said, adding that they can stay for so long until they can afford to have their own house.

He cited recurring incidents of fires, demolitions, relocations, and families living in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas as evidence of the city's continuing housing challenges. He said many people still lack safe, decent, and permanent shelter despite the absence of major calamities.

Mahipus asked the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, NHA, SHFC, and other agencies to measure success not only by the number of housing units built or payments collected, but also by the number of homeless families provided with shelter.

"The true measure of government is not how much it collects from the poor, but how well it serves people in need," Mahipus stressed, adding that there are situations where direct public spending, rather than financing or loans, is the appropriate response.

Mahipus reiterated his appeal for public funds to be used to provide safe, decent housing for residents, whether in Davao City or other areas nationwide, particularly for those without homes of their own who cannot afford existing housing programs.

The councilor emphasized that government housing initiatives should serve as instruments of social justice, human dignity, and poverty alleviation by ensuring that even the most vulnerable sectors have access to safe and decent shelter.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum on Tuesday afternoon, Mahipus also provided updates on the proposed amendments to Davao City's Zoning Ordinance. He said his committee is now reviewing policy changes to update land-use rules in line with current conditions.

Among the proposals, he said, is the establishment of economic overlay zones within ancestral domain areas to allow Indigenous Peoples' communities to create lawful economic activity zones within their territories for sustainable development.

Mahipus said the proposal seeks to provide a clearer permitting process for economic activities in ancestral domains while maintaining protections for Indigenous communities. He added that consultations with IP groups and barangay councils are ongoing.

According to the councilor, the committee is reviewing regulations requiring residential areas to be located at least 1,000 meters away from piggeries and poultry farms, taking into account current environmental standards and new farm technologies.

Mahipus said the required distance may be reduced in some cases due to new technologies, such as tunnel ventilation systems, which help improve air circulation, reduce odor emissions, and lessen the environmental impact of livestock facilities.

He said the committee is considering stricter local oversight of condominium developments, noting that some projects have proven difficult to monitor with respect to development permits, compliance requirements, and ongoing construction regulations.

Regarding flooding concerns, the councilor said the city already enforces regulations against harmful land-contour alterations, as such alterations can redirect water flow to nearby communities and worsen flooding conditions.

"Because of this, earthmoving activities are reviewed even before projects are approved for development permits," Mahipus said, while reiterating his call for more inclusive housing programs, particularly for the families living in high-risk areas such as the city's sanitary landfill.

Davao City's zoning ordinance was originally established to designate land use for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, and open space purposes. It serves as a framework for urban planning while ensuring that land use aligns with community needs.

Mahipus said the proposed changes will not alter Davao City's official zoning map, which remains the primary guide for land classification. Instead, the amendments will clarify and improve rules that are unclear.