THE government, through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has added “more teeth” to its war against real estate scammers by rolling out an inter-agency panel to take the lead in the campaign.

On Friday, DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario spearheaded the formal launch of the “National Task Force on Anti-Illegal Real Estate Practice”, along with representatives from member agencies.

The task force was created through Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 Series of 2021, bringing together DHSUD, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to end illegal real estate transactions through proactive measures.

DHSUD is primarily tasked with taking the lead in implementing plans and programs cascaded by the task force both at the national and regional levels.

“This is a testament to our partnership as we synchronize our efforts to end the fraudulent activities in the housing and real estate industry, hence, protecting homebuyers and helping them in the realization of their dream to acquire decent and affordable homes using their hard-earned money and lifetime savings,” Secretary Del Rosario said.

The task force was rolled out during the 20th episode of the “Kapihan sa DHSUD: Housing Matters” held at the Central Office boardroom and broadcast live through the DHSUD’s official Facebook page.

During the activity, Secretary Del Rosario and representatives from member agencies likewise signed a commitment wall indicating their intent to collaborate and intensify the cooperation not only in “eradicating” malpractices in the housing and real estate sector but equally important is protecting home buyers and legitimate developers.

“DHSUD accepts the challenge to take the lead in this campaign as we fulfill our mandate to protect the rights of buyers of subdivisions and condominium projects, including memorial lots and similar real estate developments,” Secretary Del Rosario said.

“Each of our partner agencies also has a crucial role in implementing a comprehensive program to sufficiently address the various and prevalent corrupt real estate practices we now face,” he added.

For their part, representatives of member agencies expressed support to the task force and vowed to bolster coordination to eliminate illegal practices in the housing and real estate industry as fit to their respective mandates.

Aside from ensuring the “elimination” of illegal real estate practices, the task force will likewise spearhead activities promoting public awareness and developing capacity-building plans.

Witnessing the Task Force’s launch were DHSUD Undersecretary Marylin Pintor, Legal Service Director Atty. Michael Victor Tezon, Knowledge Management and Information Systems Service Director Jovi Francis Tupaz, and Public Assistance Service Director Mario Mallari.

Public clamor on the back of rising cases related to illegal real estate practices led to the proposal for the task force’s establishment.