Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo del Rosario on Tuesday said he issued anew a department order aimed at expediting the issuance of “licenses to sell” (LS).
“We are enforcing a new measure expected to minimize the adverse impact of the ongoing crisis to the housing sector,” del Rosario said in a statement.
The housing czar has signed department order no. 2021-003 s. 2021 or the “Deferment of Submission of Proof of Compliance to the Balanced Housing Development Program (BHDP)” on Feb. 19.
“Through this, we aim to ease the financial impact of the Covid-19 on the real estate business, stimulate construction activity while promoting employment to help our economy recover from the health crisis,” he said.
The rules under the “deferment of compliance in light of the Covid-19 pandemic” should apply to all subdivision and condominium projects required to comply with the BHDP.
It also covers socialized housing in a new settlement, joint-venture socialized housing projects with local government units, housing agencies, and non-government organizations.
Under the new department order, all projects will be required to secure and submit a “Certificate of Registration (CR) or LS” and apply for its accreditation within the first half of the target completion of the main projects which is recorded in the certificate of license to sell.
“For a two-year project, for instance, DHSUD is extending the deadline for submission of proof of compliance up to one year after its commencement,” it said. “Prior to the latest order, developers are required to submit this requirement before the project starts.”
It also said owners and developers applying for the CR/LS of the main project shall submit a notarized undertaking stating their proposed mode of compliance, commitment to secure within the required timeframe, and compliance without the need for further notice from DHSUD regional offices.
Failure to comply with the latest regulation might result in the suspension of a developer’s license to sell. Violators should face imposed fines, sanctions, and other penalties.
“This is one of our department’s many initiatives to support our stakeholders while maintaining quality service for our beneficiaries through our regulatory systems and processes,” del Rosario said.
He added the measure also seeks to safeguard the real estate sector and help the industry recover amid a prevailing health crisis.
“Likewise, this move is meant to assist stakeholders to cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic on their livelihood,” he said.
DHSUD has been proactive in implementing measures meant to curb the negative impact of the pandemic on the housing and urban development sector.
At the height of the enhanced community quarantine last year, DHSUD has implemented moratoriums of loan payments to all its key shelter agencies (KSAs), benefitting more than 5.5 million members.
“DHSUD will work vigorously with its KSAs, partner-developers, and other stakeholders in strengthening its overall functions such as issuing key regulations to streamlining processes towards achieving its goal of providing decent, affordable, and resilient homes for Filipinos,” del Rosario said. (PNA)