INTRODUCTION
We are committed to provide decent and affordable housing to the people, but we also realize that this cannot be achieved by government alone. We welcome the support of the private shelter sector not only to attain our goal of a million new homes by the year 2000 but also to spur, through a strong housing industry, greater commercial, industrial and agricultural development in the country.

I understand that your resolutions seek to address both the current administrative and legal issues to facilitate the private sector’s participation in the government’s housing program. Let me assure you that we will focus on all of these very closely so that government can provide do-able solutions and ensure that our strengthened partnership for housing can take off immediately.
HOUSING AS A PRIORITY
Our vision of “Philippines 2000!!!” is anchored on the belief that every Filipino must have the decent minimum of food, clothing and shelter in order to live life to the fullest and with dignity. Only then can we say that we have achieved meaningful social progress for our nation and people.

If we all strive for greater productivity and excellence in our work, strive to be the best that we can, and set aside our differences and selfish interests to work together for the common good, we can translate into reality this shared vision of a just and progressive Philippines. Thus, I appreciate CREBA’s willingness to collaborate with government in our National Shelter Program, best captured by your convention theme — “a million homes by the year 2000: go for it”.

In pursuit of our obligation to meet the shelter needs of our people, we have put into motion simple yet significant beginnings. The entire network of agencies under the umbrella of the housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), under chairman Dionisio dela Serna, is tasked to implement the national shelter program and the urban development and housing act, which embodies our concerns for the homeless and the rationalized growth of our cities.

Let me emphasize that I have considered the housing program not only as a means to be directly provide for the shelter needs of our people but likewise to boost the economy. Housing is one of my administration’s major pump-priming activities considering its multiplier effect to create demand, generate jobs and stimulate industrial production.

I have also indicated that one of the things that I would like to be remembered is in our being able to provide decent, affordable homes for our people. Since last year, I have initiated moves to strengthen the housing sector.

Let me reiterate here some of the initiatives.

First, to strengthen the financial support for the housing industry, I have directed the automatic five-year funding for the Unified Home Lending Program (UHLP) by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS) and the PAG-IBIG Fund (PAG-IBIG) contained in a memorandum order I issued last July 19th. I am glad to announce that the amount committed by these three agencies to the National Shelter Program for the 1994-1998 period totals p90 billion.

Second, we are looking into the opening of a special financing window for the LGUs, known as the Local Government Pabahay Program, with an initial appropriation of p1 billion from the PAG-IBIG Fund.

Third, I have ordered the establishment of a strong secondary mortgage market system whose operationalization scheme has already been formulated by the National Home Mortgage Corporation (NHMC).

Fourth, I have also ordered the mandatory salary deduction on housing loans contained in Administrative Order No. 72 which I signed also in July this year.

Fifth, we would like to make membership in the PAG-IBIG mandatory once more through a priority administration bill I have certified.

Sixth, we are likewise reviewing the proposed comprehensive and integrated shelter finance act to ensure sustained funding for housing within the plan period for possible certification.

Seventh, to make housing projects viable, I have likewise ordered the integration of livelihood projects in social housing sites. The National Housing Authority (NHA) and the PAG-IBIG Fund are already working closely with the livelihood corporation (LIVECOR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to implement this. Soon, HUDCC will issue guidelines to assist local government units in integrating livelihood with their shelter plans. I am also tasking Chairman dela Serna to see to it that all resettlement areas will incorporate a livelihood program within it.

I would also like to announce that HUDCC is formulating an urban policy framework and strategies for the country anchored on our shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!.”

Knowing we have you as our able partners in housing development, we are determined to follow through these initiatives. But I am told that there is still ample room for the much-desired involvement of your group, particularly in social housing.
THE CHALLENGE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS
I am happy to note that the past years saw an increasing number of developers venture into social housing. But this is not enough. I expect more involvement from you, that more of you should build houses for our low-income families.

It is normal in a market economy like ours for business to thrive on profits which are then plowed back into the system to keep it working as efficiently as possible. The real estate business is no exception. Where demand for housing is greatest, the supply will almost always follow, especially if the economic returns are attractive. Such has been the case in housing construction for middle- and high-income groups.

As we seek to create a just and equitable society, we should provide housing not only for those who can afford to live well but also for those who are lowly paid in the form of comfortable yet affordable units.

Addressing the housing needs of low-income earners used to be government’s responsibility alone. For one reason, it is perceived that only marginal returns are possible out of such ventures. Another reason is the cumbersome administrative procedures that deter a faster turnover of investment.
GOVERNMENT’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Despite our numerous constraints, government has been exerting its best efforts to ameliorate the plight of our homeless and underprivileged.

For the first semester of 1993, our housing assistance totaled 61,136, inclusive of the production and sale of housing units or house and lot packages and the loan release for their acquisition. In addition, purchase of properties for housing purposes is presently being negotiated.

The advent of the local government code has opened new avenues for LGU participation in the housing program. Also included in the code is the devolution of some of the functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

To date, key personnel of 517 cities and municipalities have undergone training for the issuance of development permits. The private developers may be happy to learn that a total of 1,389 projects have been issued with development permits, involving 89,658 houses and lots and 146,701 lots.
GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS
Government will continue to do its part. The HUDCC, together with the various shelter agencies under it, is bent on institutionalizing a system to monitor their accomplishments against their commitments. It shall strive to strengthen linkages with the private sector and the NGOs to ensure that we stay on course.

Still, let me challenge you here and now to share with us the social and moral responsibility to provide shelter for our homeless. As we seek your assistance, we will provide you with the opportunities that will facilitate your involvement.

Let me announce here now what we are committed to do along this line.

We will intensify the drive against squatting syndicates and professional squatters who continue to prey on the rightful beneficiaries of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) and thus make a mockery of our low-cost housing programs. I am signing in your presence the executive order that will establish the necessary mechanism to go after these syndicates and punish them to the extent provided by law.

We will speed up the inventory of lands suitable for social housing, and make them available through joint venture arrangements. I direct all local government units to complete their land use inventory, particularly those lands for social housing, by the end of this year, including the registration of UDHA beneficiaries. DILG and HUDCC are directed to monitor their compliance.

We will look into the standardization of design and housing components towards the eventual establishment of a building code for social housing. Our aim is to reduce actual production costs and construction periods, as well as enable our low-income families to afford housing packages.

Lastly, we will pursue the development and use of indigenous and non-traditional materials for housing to lessen the demands on our fast-dwindling forest resources.
CLOSING
I have discussed with you the government’s and the private sector’s roles in the national shelter program. While I focused on the efforts of the executive department, I am delighted to know that the appropriate committees in Congress are conducting a joint hearing here today on the implementation of RA 7279 otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.

There is one remaining component that we must tap and that is citizen participation. We can look at the experience of Mexico’s National Solidarity Program in letting communities prioritize their needs and execute projects on a self-help basis. Following its success and in line with people empowerment, we should look into the possibility of involving our communities formulate local shelter plans together with the LGUs and concerned national agencies. Our community self-help approach, and the community mortgage program are along this self-help approach, but we should study the Mexican model more for lessons that we can apply to our housing and urban development.

The bottom line of all this is that homelessness and inadequate shelter in the country is so enormous that it requires the wholehearted cooperation of all sectors of our society.

In closing, let us continue to build upon each other’s strengths that we may resolve this situation in order that we can speedily move forward our goal to be Asia’s next economic dragon.

Let us invoke in ourselves our revered tradition of bayanihan with our nation as the house we shall carry on our shoulders to move to a place and future that is more safe, stable and prosperous.

Thank you and good day.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!