SHDA-Central Visayas highlights affordable homes in a housing expo

CEBU CITY -- The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) Central Visayas Chapter continues to advocate for livable, sustainable, affordable and more accessible housing to Filipino families through its Housing Expo 2025, October 15 at SM City Cebu, highlighting diverse housing options while promoting the shared goal of building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities across the region.

“Housing play a vital role in helping the public explore their options.  The Housing Expo is a venue where people are aware of the options available because sometimes, they might be limited to one or two developers.   But at least when we open it to all our member developers, they see that there’s a variety of options—from low-cost, mid-cost, as well as high-end projects. From those who choose horizontal housing like townhouses or single detached units, to those who prefer mid- and high-rise developments," SHDA Central Visayas President Harold Vince See said, in his opening message at the event.

See added that the Housing Expo is one of the activities lined up by SHDA in observance of National Shelter Month, which seeks to strengthen partnerships within the housing industry and increase public awareness about affordable and sustainable housing opportunities.

The Housing Expo 2025 features several property developers and partner agencies exhibiting a range of residential and mixed-use projects for different income segments.  Homebuyers can also consult directly with housing agencies and financing institutions to explore programs designed to make homeownership more accessible.

“The Housing Expo is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and commitment to building sustainable and inclusive communities. Today, we bring government agencies, private developers, financial institutions, and stakeholders with one shared goal—to make decent housing accessible to every Filipino family," Engr. Mark Lindugan, Assistant Regional Director of DHSUD 7 said.

Cesar Bazan, representing the PAG-IBIG Fund, emphasized that housing development should focus on improving lives and strengthening communities. The event highlighted shared mission of providing Filipino families with decent, affordable, and sustainable shelter. “Housing is not just about building structures—it’s about building lives, families, and stronger communities,” he stated.

State and challenges of the housing sector in PH

The Philippines' housing sector faces significant challenges, with a substantial backlog of socialized and economic housing units, the Philippine Statistics Authority placed housing backlog at approximately 6.5 million units, expected to increase by 5% annually.

It said that the Marcos administration aims to build six million housing units in six years, which could help address the shortage while the private sector housing developers called for more collaboration with government to meet the housing demand, specifically on the sustainability and affordability of housing in the countries.

SHDA-Central Visayas believed that addressing the housing challenge can drive economic growth, create jobs, and revitalize the economy, particularly in emerging locations.  Making housing units accessible in terms of location and payment schemes is one of the ever-growing challenges in the housing sector.

“Sustainability and infrastructure are also challenging to developers, SHDA-CV Harold See said, adding that ensuring environmentally friendly and sustainable development practices as well as providing adequate infrastructure to support housing developments continue to be challenge.”

Developers said that to overcome these challenges, it's essential to have a multidisciplinary approach that covers political, social, economic, cultural, educational, and engineering disciplines. The development of socialized and economic houses can be a significant driver for the economy. (Photos: CONPC/Robby Alugar)

Housing Summit 2025 tackles developers’ challenges in the housing industry in Cebu

CEBU CITY – The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association–Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) gathered nearly a hundred participants from the national agencies, local governments, developers, utilities, and financial institutions at the Housing Summit 2025, September 26 at NuStar Resort Cebu, to tackle the region’s housing challenges including housing reforms, with stakeholders aligning on faster permitting, stronger financing systems, and expanded housing supply.

SHDA-CV President Harold Vince See, in his opening message, called for a united approach to speed up project approvals, unlock land, and create communities that are climate-resilient and economically vibrant.

Early sessions highlighted trends showing strong demand in the economic and mid-market segments, with rising interest in townhouses and single-detached homes alongside continued growth in condominium projects. Despite this activity, the country’s housing backlog remains a serious concern.

Jennifer Bretaña, Regional Director, DEPDev placed housing within the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan for 2023–2028, stressing the need for livable and disaster-resilient communities and stronger LGU-led housing governance.  “Our economic growth must translate into affordable, decent homes in safe neighborhoods,” she said.

Angelito Aguila, ASEC of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) bared the government’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program that include the revised price ceilings, expanded financing options, and new compliance mechanisms to encourage public-private partnerships, particularly for subdivision and rental housing projects.  He also bared steps toward digitalizing housing permits very soon, to cut bureaucratic delays.

Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto Perez revealed that a Joint Memorandum Circular with DHSUD is set for signing in October to simplify and digitize the permitting process. The reform, anchored on a Housing One-Stop Processing Center, aims to reduce red tape and encourage faster project delivery.

Meantime, the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) also briefed participants on the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, a landmark law designed to standardize property valuation nationwide. The measure is expected to boost LGU revenues and support infrastructure development essential to new housing communities, he said.

Head Legal Counsel of 8990 Deca Homes, delivered an inspirational message highlighting its “Bahay Para sa Lahat” advocacy, making low-cost housing accessible to ordinary Filipino families.

The Housing Summit concluded with the oath-taking of the new SHDA-CV members and a message from Engr. Francis Richmond Villegas of the national SHDA calling for collaboration between government and the private sector to translate reforms into projects and projects into livable, sustainable homes for Filipino families. (Photos: MBCNewman/CONPC)

 

 

 

Developers’ forum talks about updates in housing, subdivision industry

​LAPULAPU CITY— About 150 members of the Subdivision and Housing Developers’ Association -Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) are here for the “Developers’ Forum 2024” at B.W.G Function Room, Solea Mactan Cebu Resort to listen to updates, expectations & developments in the housing sectors.

“We are here at the Developers’ Forum to listen to important updates relevant to our industry, especially related to the recently issued Department Circular Nos. 2024-005 and the flagship project of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD),” Harold Vince See, SHDA-CV president said on his opening message.

First, he cited that there is a proposed petition to hike the Real Property Taxes (RPT) in Cebu City with an increase of 100 to 1000% and this affects mostly residential and commercial classified properties which will increase the tax burden of home and condominium buyers and investors.

See said that the SHDA-CV board continues to lobby issues and concerns related to the housing/developers industry in the region, highlighting on some pressing issues today.

“There is a hold on the increase in RTC because the current stand of SHDA-CV on this matter is for a staggered increase especially given that businesses are still recovering from the pandemic. This may increase the rental prices of office, malls, and parking fee,” See added.

Second issue is for those with planned condominium projects in Cebu City, the Cebu City council has recently approved city ordinance No. 2743 reducing the unit and car park ratio from 1:1 to 1:7. This city ordinance has done with lots of consultation with SHDA-CV and SHDA National members.

Third, for those developers with planned projects in Carcar City, the SHDA-CV have been lobbying for the implementation of BP220 rules for socialized and economic housing developments.

“For years, the LGU of Carcar follows always referring back to the building, thankfully, after years of dialogue, the LGU of Carcar has agreed to implement the BP220 standards for economic and socialized housing projects,” See mentioned.

See told the forum participants that SHDA-CV continues to work hard for the association’s mission to collaborate with stakeholders in the housing industry and with the vision to have a nation where every Filipino has a home.

“And the only way we can do this is constant and consistent dialogue to our stakeholders and regulators. Thus, this forum and more events to come for the benefit of the sector,” See concluded. (Photos: MBCNewman)