The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association–Central Visayas (SHDA-CV) opened its 2025 Housing Summit today at NUSTAR Resort Cebu, bringing together national agencies, local governments, developers, utilities, and financial institutions to tackle the region’s housing challenges. The event showed broad government support for housing reforms, with stakeholders aligning on faster permitting, stronger financing systems, and expanded housing supply.
In his Convention Overview statements, SHDA-CV President Harold Vince See called for a united approach to speed up project approvals, unlock land, and create communities that are climate-resilient and economically vibrant. Early sessions highlighted trends showing strong demand in the economic and mid-market segments, with rising interest in townhouses and single-detached homes alongside continued growth in condominium projects. Despite this activity, the country’s housing backlog remains a serious concern.
National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Jennifer Bretaña placed housing within the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan for 2023–2028, stressing the need for livable and disaster-resilient communities and stronger LGU-led housing governance. “Our economic growth must translate into affordable, decent homes in safe neighborhoods,” she said.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, represented by Assistant Secretary Angelito Aguila, laid out updates to the government’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program. These include revised price ceilings, expanded financing options, and new compliance mechanisms to encourage public-private partnerships, particularly for subdivision and rental housing projects. Aguila also announced steps toward digitalizing housing permits to cut bureaucratic delays.
For his part, Anti-Red Tape Authority Secretary Ernesto V. Perez revealed that a Joint Memorandum Circular with DHSUD is set for signing in October to simplify and digitize the permitting process. The reform, anchored on a Housing One-Stop Processing Center, aims to reduce red tape and encourage faster project delivery.
The Bureau of Local Government Finance also briefed participants on the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, a landmark law designed to standardize property valuation nationwide. The measure is expected to boost LGU revenues and support infrastructure development essential to new housing communities.
Afternoon sessions featured discussions on city planning initiatives in Cebu and Mandaue, financing programs from Pag-IBIG Fund, and power reliability updates from Visayan Electric Company (VECO), which reaffirmed its commitment to lighting up Metro Cebu and supporting its rapid urban expansion. An inspirational message was also delivered by the Head Legal Counsel of 8990 Deca Homes, who emphasized the company’s mission of building low-cost homes, giving more life to their “Bahay Para sa Lahat” advocacy, making low-cost housing accessible to ordinary Filipino families. The event also included the oath-taking of new SHDA-CV members and closing remarks from the national leadership, delivered by Engr. Francis Richmond Villegas.
The summit concluded with a strong call for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to translate reforms into projects and projects into livable, sustainable homes for Filipino families.
