DHSUD groups identify government lands for housing

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has created technical working groups (TWGs) to expedite the identification of government-owned land across the country that could be used for housing projects, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said yesterday.

Acuzar issued Department Order 2023-020 on Nov. 25 instructing the TWGs – composed of experts on environmental, land use, urban planning and development, public housing and settlements – to identify and vet government-owned lands for housing, human settlements and urban development.

Under the order, the TWG will be headed by DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap, while the TWGs in the regional offices will be headed by heads of their Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development Divisions.

“We’ve been discussing with some local government units and national government agencies on how we can achieve a comprehensive list of land assets we can use. This order should stimulate more activities on the ground as we aggressively implement the 4PH,” Acuzar said, referring to the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino.

President Marcos signed Executive Order 34 in July to create an inventory of suitable lands to implement his administration’s flagship housing program, the 4PH.

The program aims to build six million housing units from 2023 to 2028 and is headed by the DHSUD.