Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling has vowed swift action on the recommendations from the country’s top developers’ groups, aimed at strengthening the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program and accelerating housing production.

In a joint letter addressed to Aliling, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA), National Real Estate Association (NREA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), and Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) submitted their recommendations to support the government’s housing initiatives.

The groups’ recommendations came after Aliling requested input from stakeholders on how to enhance the expanded 4PH.

“We collectively reiterate our support to DHSUD in the achievement of our common goals and objectives for the success of the National Shelter Program,” the joint letter said.

Noel Cariño and Jerry Navarette of CREBA; lawyers Amador Tolentino Jr. and Imelda Magtoto of NREA; Charlie Brown Tan and Paolo Giovanni Olivares of OSHDP; and engineer Francis Richmond Villegas and architect Leonardo Dayao Jr. of SHDA signed the joint letter.

The organizations highlighted the need to prioritize the release of the guidelines for the inclusion of horizontal projects in the 4PH Program, rationalize permitting and licensing processes, and review the socialized housing price ceilings to ensure responsiveness to the current market situations, all of which aligns with the same priorities set by the new DHSUD Secretary.

“Let me assure our private partners that DHSUD will act swiftly on your recommendations in furtherance of our common goal to provide livable, affordable and sustainable communities,” Aliling said.

He underscored the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in furtherance of the President’s flagship housing program.

“As instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., our expanded 4PH will prioritize those in the lower-income bracket and the poorest of the poor… thus, DHSUD’s doors are wide open for your recommendations to further improve the flagship housing program, and to cover more beneficiaries,” he said. (PNA)