Developer helps CH housing project

CEBU, Philippines - At least one of the private subdivision developers in Cebu City has started complying with the 20 percent balanced housing requirements of Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor Chief Collin Rossell said a real estate developer who is applying for permits to develop a subdivision within the city has rendered technical assistance in the creation of a detailed engineering and design of the medium-rise housing project proposed to be constructed in barangay Lorega.

Engineers and architects have started inspecting the area at the former Lorega-San Miguel Public Cemetery.

The project is to be funded by the National Housing Authority’s P78-million loan grant to the City Government.

Rossell said that Primary Homes Inc. has agreed to provide technical assistance to DWUP because they need to produce a detailed plan for the project as one of the requirements of NHA for the use of the P78 million.

The technical assistance that the developer will give to DWUP must be equivalent to the 20 percent of the total subdivision project cost that the developer will be undertaking.

Section 18 of the housing act requires every developer of subdivision projects to develop an area for socialized housing equivalent to at least twenty percent (20%) of the total subdivision area within the same city or municipality, whenever feasible, or a total subdivision project cost at the option of the developer.

Rossell said that some developers would prefer to just tie up with the Local Government Units in the implementation of a housing project instead of constructing themselves.

Either way, Rossell pointed out that as long as the developers are able to fulfill the 20 percent balanced housing, it will be a great help to the city.

He said that the city government is serious in enforcing the 20 percent balanced housing. In fact, the issuance of permits to developers have tightened that they are already compelled to comply with the 20 percent balanced housing provision of UDHA before a permit is issued.  (FREEMAN)