Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Sunday maintained that the recently created National Human Settlements Board could address the challenges facing the housing industry.
He issued his remark as the board, which he chairs, represents 10 key agencies of the government which also have a stake in the development of the housing sector.
“With practically all hands on board, I am very optimistic that the disconnect between the Philippine Development Plan with regards to housing targets and the corresponding budgetary allocation of DHSUD will be adequately addressed,” he said.
The NHSB is made up of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Interior and Local Government.
The DHSUD and its attached agencies namely the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, Social Housing Finance Corp., National Housing Authority, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. and Human Settlements Adjudication Commission are also part of the board.
The housing czar said the body’s actions should be set into motion once its technical working committee is created.
“Together, the NHSB and its TWC make a formidable and well-rounded body that will set the tone and direction of the Philippine housing sector for years to come,” he said.
Describing the NHSB as a “super body,” he said the board will act as a centralized hub that would harmonize regulations, policies and strategies meant to resolve the country’s housing problems.
“The NHSB is envisioned to serve as the ‘nerve-center’ that will synchronize and align all housing policies and programs for effective implementation – from regulation to financing and production,” he said.
“With these national government agencies on board, this ‘super body’ is like a well-oiled machine moving toward one direction,” he added.