Baguio: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has expressed confidence that with the help of private real estate firms and professionals, they would be able to address the housing backlog in the region. Antonette Anaban, regional director of the DHSUD-CAR, gave the pronouncement on the sidelines of the opening of the three-day National Shelter Month Summit in this city on Wednesday. The event is hosted by DHSUD-CAR and co-organized by the Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA).
According to Philippines News Agency, Anaban said that aside from complementing the services of the DHSUD, the convention also includes a Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-accredited seminar for engineers, architects, and real estate brokers which is provided free of charge to the sector. She expressed satisfaction with CREBA’s commitment to institutionalize this partnership, especially with the DHSUD’s involvement in disaster response, which will greatly aid those affected by calamities. Anaban also cited the critical involvement of CREBA in the planning and implementation of housing programs.
Anaban highlighted the challenge of local government units needing to identify LGU-owned lots for socialized housing, as requested by CREBA to help bridge the gap in the housing backlog. She noted the total housing backlog in the region from 2016 to 2024 stands at 139,000. This includes housing resettlement needs for disaster victims, households sharing a single dwelling, and requirements arising from population growth.
Emmanuel Clemente, CREBA-Baguio and Benguet chapter president, emphasized the necessity and significance of public-private partnerships in his message during the opening program. He stated CREBA’s willingness to support these programs, though he acknowledged that limited funds of local developers pose challenges for the development of socialized housing. The event gathered hundreds of real estate firms and professionals from all regions of the country to receive updates on the state of the industry.