15 December 2022, Philippines – The country’s leading organization of housing developers, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), expressed its full support to the confirmation of the appointment of Jose “Jerry” L. Rizalino Acuzar as Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The Commission on Appointments (CA) panel headed by Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito approved the ad interim appointment of Acuzar as DHSUD Secretary on Tuesday, December 14. It was the fastest confirmation by the 19th Congress, with less than an hour of deliberation.
“SHDA congratulates Secretary Acuzar on the confirmation of his appointment as the head of DHSUD. We strongly believe that he can mobilize government resources, lead and muster the participation of national agencies, local government units and the private sector in the attainment of the goals and objectives of the National Shelter Program to address the housing need and backlog of 6.5 million housing units,” said SHDA National President May Rodriguez.
The largest housing organization in the country also reiterates its support and participation in the government’s ‘Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program’ (PPPP), which aims to construct a projected one million houses per year in select areas in the country to address the country’s increasing housing backlog and to sustain a vibrant and productive housing industry.
It can be recalled that Acuzar introduced and discussed the details of the PPPP during the 30th National Developers Convention convention, organized by the SHDA last October 5 to 6, at Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig City.
According to Chairman George Siy, SHDA partners with DHSUD in its advocacies and efforts to promote access and optimum use of land for settlements, sustainable and accessible financing for housing, periodic adjustments of the price ceiling for housing, simplification of licensing and permitting process, the extension of incentives for private developers participating in mass housing and the national shelter program, and the implementation of smart, green and resilient housing and communities.
“SHDA has a strong general membership, and the regional chapters are poised and ready to support the local shelter program of the various cities and municipalities to enhance the supply of quality and affordable housing and promote a more balanced urban and regional development and distribution of population,” Siy said.
Maya Colayco, SHDA Board’s first vice president and chairman, added, “We support Secretary Acuzar and his vision of providing more accessible and affordable shelters and focusing on inclusive urban development for the Filipinos. We look forward to continuing working with him as both SHDA and DHSUD collaborate in the many endeavors towards the progress of housing and real estate in the country. We believe that together, we will accomplish many things for the housing industry. We are here to support his programs in any way we can.”
