HUMAN SETTLEMENT PROGRAM. The completion of resettlement buildings, like in this undated photo, is part of the sustained efforts by Housing agency and its key partners to provide decent yet affordable shelters for underprivileged Filipinos. Outgoing Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said in a recent column that he is hoping the next administration will continue providing inclusive human settlement programs. (Photo courtesy of DHSUD) MANILA - The chief of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) expressed hope that the next administration will continue providing adequate and affordable housing and inclusive human settlement programs. In his recent column "Housing Matters" titled Housing sector moving forward, published by a broadsheet and online news agency last week, DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario wrote that "during this crucial transition period, several government agencies have been working hard to ensure the continuity and sustainability of their operations to ensure a seamless public service". "In our case at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, it translates to assessing our performance, reevaluating our current efforts, and planning for the future of the housing sector," del Rosario wrote. "Guided by our vision of providing adequate, affordable housing, and inclusive human settlements in well-planned communities, we intend to move forward with our successes and learning experiences which we hope would be useful for the sector's development in the ensuing years," he added. He said the creation of the DHSUD was one of the significant milestones of the Duterte administration.] "As a springboard of our continuing endeavors, we have successfully crafted and adopted the 2040 National Housing and Urban Development Sector Plan (NHUDSP) which will serve as a comprehensive guide to the next in lines to follow," he added. Del Rosario is confident that the DHSUD has fulfilled its mandate despite facing birth pains and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The DHSUD's average annual production stood at 197,886 housing units, the highest since 1975. A total of 1,088,373 housing units and lots were produced and financed by the end of 2021, representing 86 percent of the 1,267,198 units targeted under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) from 2016 to 2022. "With this figure, we will surely surpass our PDP target if the 2022 housing production will be added," del Rosario said. He said housing bureaus, support services, and regional offices painstakingly implemented and delivered projects and programs to the best of their capabilities even with the limitation in budget and mobility. "Our accomplishments are a solid testament to the efforts and dedication of our employees," he added. The DHSUD assisted 233 local government units in the updating and ratification of their Comprehensive Land Use Plans and Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plans from 2020-2021, to ensure the "efficient and judicious" use of land resources in the country. It also crafted policies and issued directives for both developers and homebuyers to cushion the adverse impact of the pandemic. The DHSUD issued 1,437 licenses to sell and certificates of registration to 36,624 dealers, brokers, and salespersons registered over the past two years. "Through this, we have provided opportunities for our kababayans (countrymen) to own quality houses while professionalizing the industry. We are also committed to building not just houses, but sustainable housing communities to empower home dwellers and their associations," del Rosario said. As of December 2021, DHSUD has been serving 25,621 registered homeowners' associations nationwide. It has likewise revised the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations. "Equally important is our journey to organizational development. From a low 28 percent fill-up, we now have 65.46 percent of our human resource complement, crafted and submitted for funding our Information Systems Strategic Plan; completed the establishment of all our regional offices; streamlined our institutional systems and processes; and fully operationalized our programs and services down to the regional level," del Rosario said. He urged incoming officials to continue innovating programs that would secure adequate and affordable housing, inclusive human settlements, and well-planned communities for every family. "Whoever will take the magnanimous challenge of leading the country's housing industry, the 2040 NHUDSP will serve as a template as this is a product of convergence of efforts from concerned sectors, armed with a strong compassion for the shelter need of the Filipino people," del Rosario said. He is optimistic that the DHSUD and its partners will continue fulfilling its mandates in the housing sector. (PNA) }