Housing stakeholders ink ‘Cebu Declaration’

CEBU, Philippines — At least nine associations and low-cost housing builders signed the “Cebu Declaration” seal of commitment to put urgency to mass housing production for Filipinos.

This first-of-its-kind declaration in the housing industry pledged to support the government’s “BALAI” ( Building Adequate, Liveable, Affordable and Inclusive Filipino Communities) program.

The “Cebu Declaration” blueprint is signed by stakeholders in the socialized and economic housing builders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Habitat for Humanity, Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc., Center for Housing and Independent Research Synergies Inc. (Chairs), among others.

Initiated by the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), the signatories pledged to be one with the government’s thrust to provide affordable and decent housing products to Filipinos who are yet to own and live in their own homes.

As a result of the declaration, an alliance was immediately formed dubbed the

“Socialized Housing Alliance Roundtable Endeavour” or SHARE.

The signatories highlighted its commitment to align themselves in supporting the government’s BALAI program.

“We have considered with a sense of urgency the continuous increase in housing needs in the country, widening housing backlog and declining and deteriorating actual production of housing units, both in the public and private sector, today,” the declaration reads.

The “Cebu Declaration” was formally signed by participants during the 9th OSHDP National Convention held in Cebu on August 23-24, 2018 at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.