Mayors back DHSUD programs to address 6.5 million housing backlog

MANILA, Philippines — Several Metro Manila mayors have expressed support for the government’s programs aimed at addressing the country’s housing backlog of more than 6.5 million, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

In a statement, the DHSUD said it received positive response for its housing programs following meetings with local officials in the metropolis.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar has met with Mayors Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina, Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa, Vico Sotto of Pasig, Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, Dale Malapitan of Caloocan, Francis Zamora of San Juan and Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay.

Acuzar emphasized the importance of getting local officials on board for the success of the housing programs.

He said a majority of the 3.7 million informal settler families (ISFs) in the country are present in the National Capital Region.

Based on DHSUD data, around 500,000 ISFs are in Metro Manila, with the families living in slums, railways, waterways, canals and other high-risk areas.

“We see the role of local government units as one of the key components to gradually address or eliminate the challenges we are facing in the housing sector. They are our allies in development,” Acuzar said.

During the meetings with the mayors, Acuzar shared how to tap private developers and financial institutions for faster building of houses.

The DHSUD chief said he would meet with other local officials in Metro Manila to ensure the smooth implementation of the government’s housing programs.

Aside from Metro Manila mayors, meetings were also held by the DHSUD with mayors in the Visayas such as Jonas Cortes of Mandaue, Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban, Albee Benitez of Bacolod and Jerry Trenas of Iloilo City to promote the housing programs.

“Major cities and provinces in the Visayas recorded a significant number of ISFs and people living in calamity-prone areas. So it is a must to also prioritize the Visayas group of islands,” Acuzar said.

He said local leaders in the Visayas have expressed readiness to allot land resources for the development of new project sites, including turning esteros or canals into parks and walkways to help in the rehabilitation of waterways.

“I am confident that with the help of local officials, we can transform these informal settlements into prime residential and world-class developments for the benefit of our countrymen, especially those in the low-income bracket,” Acuzar said.