SHDA developers back government move to reduce housing red tape

Real estate developers and housing producers affiliated with the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) have expressed strong support to the government moves to cut red tape in the processing of housing loans and in the grant of permits for housing development.

SHDA national president Mariano Martinez Jr. said that real estate developers are banking on the commitment made earlier by Secretary Michael T. Defensor, presidential housing adviser and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to further streamline housing permit processes.

Martinez cited that in its first 100-day shelter agenda, HUDCC also committed to facilitate the issuance of a presidential directive to order the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agrarian Reform and HUDCC, to further reduce the number of days in the processing of housing-related clearances and permits required from local government units and said departments.

These include the processing and approval of land conversion certificates by DAR; issuance of environmental clearance certificates by DAR and of subdivision development permits by concerned local government units, Martinez pointed out.

Under the proposed presidential directive, the concerned government departments will be allowed simultaneous processing of housing-related permits and clearances; and to set specific deadlines to unclog procedural bottlenecks that hamper subdivision development and the speedy delivery of low-cost housing units, he said.

"HUDCC’s initiatives in cutting administrative red tape in housing is consistent with the thrust of President Arroyo’s administration to fast-track housing production.

This is part of the overall strategy to pump prime economic activities as well as address the housing backlog, while generating new employment and livelihood opportunities particularly for the homeless and the disadvantaged," Martinez added.