DHSUD to talk with housing, real estate sector on Middle East crisis

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will conduct dialogues with private developers’ groups to craft measures on mitigating the economic repercussions of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said this is to ensure that proactive initiatives are in place to soften the impact of the crisis in the Gulf region.

Aliling also underscored the importance of sustaining the momentum of the government’s housing initiatives, particularly the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., nais natin balansehin ang pag-address sa concerns ng mga developers at ang pagpo-protekta sa ating mga homebuyers base sa itinatakda ng batas,” he said.

(In line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive, we want to balance how we address the concerns of the developers and how we protect our homebuyers based on what is provided for in the law.)

“Nais din natin masiguro na handa ang housing and real estate sector sa epekto sa ekonomiya, kaya ngayon pa lamang ay magkakaroon na tayo ng alignment of efforts sa ating mga private partners. Importante na mailatag natin ang mga proactive measures na mabubuo bago pa man lumala o tumagal pa ang digmaan. Ito ay upang maibsan ang epekto sa ating ekonomiya,” he added.

(We want to ensure that the housing and real estate sector on the economic effects, that is why as early as now, we are having a realignment of efforts with our private partners. It is important that we lay down proactive measures before the crisis worsens or drags on. This is to ease its effect on our economy.)

The DHSUD noted that the impact of the Middle East crisis is already felt in the country as prices of petroleum prices are expected to rise even further.

It has invited the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), and the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) for the dialogue.

“Kaya sapat na paghahanda ang kailangan, at pagtutulungan ng gobyerno at pribadong sektor upang maiwasan natin mas malawak na epekto sa housing,” Aliling added.

(We should have sufficient preparations and the cooperation between the government and the private sector so that we can avoid a widespread impact on housing.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News