"Finally there has been some movement with our DAR conversion applications," SHDA national president Jesus Atencio said, "this is a welcome development that would move housing forward in 2002 and beyond."
However, Atencio emphasized that there are still a lot of applications for land conversion or exemption that have been pending with the DAR for more than a year.
"SHDA would like to meet with DAR Secretary Hernani Braganza to find out what and where the bottlenecks are and how we can work together to eliminate bureaucratic red tape." He further added that the speedy release of DAR clearances would accelerate the implementation of housing projects and contribute significantly to economic growth.
For his part, SHDA chairman Teofisto Guingona III said that DAR and other housing related agencies should strictly follow their respective prescribed time periods for releasing permits and licenses as provided for by Executive Order 45 – Prescribing Time Periods for the Issuance of Housing Related Certifications, Clearances or Permits, and Imposing Sanctions for Failure to Observe the Same.
He said that DAR and other line agencies under EO 45 together with SHDA should work hand-in-hand in providing the environment by which developers could continue to support the earlier SONA commitments of President Arroyo of putting up 300,000 new housing units during her administration.