DHSUD, KSAs synergy crucial in addressing PH housing woes
DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario Monday convened the first-ever National Human Settlements and Urban Development Coordination Committee (NHSUDCC) forum in line with efforts to further boost synergy among government key shelter agencies (KSAs).
Del Rosario cited the importance of synergy between the Department, its KSAS and the private sector in attaining the common goal of providing decent and affordable housing and sustainable communities and having a vibrant housing sector.
“Coordination between the Department and KSAs is crucial to achieving our overall goal of providing decent and affordable housing communities to Filipino families, especially the underserved,” Secretary Del Rosario said.
“Let us continue working together and further cement stronger partnerships with our stakeholders. We must likewise continue providing unwavering public service in the housing and urban development sector,” he added.
Held at the DHSUD-Central Office board room, the forum highlighted the key accomplishments of KSAs during the first quarter of the year Undersecretary Zyril Carlos, Assistant Secretaries Mel Aradanas, Leira Buan and Avelino Tolentino III, as well as Planning Service Director Mylene Rivera.
Representatives from the KSAs – namely the Home Mutual Development Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, the National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and the National Home Mortgage and Finance Corporation (NHMFC) plus the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) – as well as heads of DHSUD’s bureaus and services, participated via video conference, with the KSAs presenting their respective first-quarter accomplishment reports.
Del Rosario serves as the NHSUDCC chairperson, with Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy Moti, NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr, SHFC President Arnolfo Cabling, NHMFC President Carlo Luis Rabat and HSAC Executive Commissioner Melzar Galicia act as members.
After seeing the presentation of each KSA regarding their respective significant achievements during the first three months of the year, Secretary Del Rosario expressed delight and urged them to continue performing well amidst various ongoing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also lauded KSAs’ efforts in staying focused and on track with regards to reaching their targets despite the presence of stumbling blocks, stressing that unity and coordination are key to pursuing overall progress when it comes to the national housing sector.
The NHSUDCC aims to become a platform to strengthen coordination between DHSUD and KSAs in carrying out the Department’s housing and urban development policies and programs nation-wide.
Among its primary objectives are recommend policies and programs that will be elevated to the National Human Settlement Board for approval, monitor and evaluate the functions of KSAs, as well as facilitate the harmonization of housing programs and streamlining of processes to eliminate overlaps.
