Duterte signs into law measure creating Housing department

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte signed a law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development through the consolidation of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

Mr. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11201, also known as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act, on Feb. 14. The law consolidates Senate Bill 1578 and House Bill 6775. The Senate and the House of Representatives passed their bills on Nov. 12 and Oct. 10, respectively.

Asked to comment after a briefing at the Palace, HUDCC Chairman Eduardo D. del Rosario told BusinessWorld that with this law, “we will have a more comprehensive determination on how we can address the housing needs of the people.”

The new department, according to the law, will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlement and urban development, which also means that it will formulate national housing and urban development policies, strategies and standards that are consistent with the Philippine Development Plan to promote social and economic welfare. The department will be composed of the Office of the Secretary, and the various bureaus, services and regional offices. The law also said the Office of the Secretary will house the Office of the Department Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries, the Offices of the Assistant Secretaries, and their immediate support staff.

Another function of the department is to formulate housing finance and production policies.