To promote fair competition in housing sector PCC, DHSUD enter into partnership

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing competition in the country’s housing sector.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward ensuring a fair and transparent real estate market for Filipino homebuyers.

PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA), signifying their commitment to curbing anti-competitive practices and fostering a more equitable housing industry.

“It is our hope that this joint objective will help steer us towards a future where housing becomes more attainable and affordable, where no single firm dominates the housing market, and where every Filipino can reasonably aspire towards a home,” Aguinaldo stated.

Under the agreement, the PCC and DHSUD will collaborate on key initiatives to monitor and address potential monopolistic behaviors in the real estate sector. The partnership will focus on four primary areas:

•Market Oversight – Identifying and addressing anti-competitive practices within the housing industry.

•Policy Coordination – Aligning regulations and policies to create a more competitive and consumer-friendly housing market.

•Data Sharing & Enforcement – Exchanging crucial information on mergers, acquisitions, and enforcement cases to prevent market abuses.

•Capacity Building – Conducting joint training sessions and consultations to strengthen expertise in competition law and housing regulation.

The PCC has been actively addressing unfair practices in the real estate industry, previously penalizing developers engaged in restrictive schemes such as exclusive internet service provider (ISP) arrangements that limit consumer choice.

The commission has also issued Enforcement Advisory Letters to multiple developers in response to consumer complaints over similar anti-competitive practices, urging compliance to avoid legal consequences.

The MOA with DHSUD marks the PCC’s 32nd inter-agency partnership, reinforcing its broader efforts to foster competition across industries. Since its establishment in 2016 under the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), the PCC has worked with key government agencies, including the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Agriculture, to promote fair market competition and protect consumer rights.

As the country faces rising housing demand and affordability challenges, this latest partnership underscores the government’s proactive approach in ensuring a level playing field—one where developers compete fairly, innovation thrives, and Filipino homebuyers benefit from a more competitive and transparent market.

“This agreement is a step in the right direction for the housing sector. By working together, we can create a landscape that benefits both developers and homebuyers,” Aguinaldo concluded.