More housing projects to boost economy

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is keen on boosting housing projects in the country to help revive the local economy.

DHSUD chief Eduardo del Rosario said the agency is bent on carrying out more housing projects nationwide in coordination with key shelter agencies.

The country’s central housing authority sees housing and the real estate industry’s important role in pump-priming the economy.

“The real estate sector can become a boon for Filipinos in terms of employment as it can trigger tens of thousands of jobs across the country,” Del Rosario said.

“About 80 other industries are aligned in the construction of housing units,” he said.

Following the easing of quarantine restrictions in June 2020, real estate activities slowly resumed and some 55,000 workers immediately returned to work, thus providing much-needed livelihood amid the pandemic.

DHSUD said housing is a right of every Filipino and 81 percent of families wish to fulfill home ownership.

“That is the direction of the department and our key shelter agencies. We are not just building housing units, we are also building resilient and sustainable communities,” Del Rosario said.

DHSUD is boosting private sector engagements at the grassroots to synchronize and enhance public-private efforts in the housing sector.