HUDCC to consider socialized housing backlog solutions

Republic Cement Services Inc. (Republic Cement) led a group of housing sector stakeholders in presenting to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) officials their proposed potential solutions to address some concerns which are crucial in solving the country’s socialized housing backlog of 5.7 million units.

Representatives from Home Guaranty Corporation, Habitat for Humanity, TulaysaPag-unlad, Inc., and Republic Cement presented five proposals to Marisa Lerias, HUDCC consultant and Rafael Lopa, senior adviser to the Office of the Vice President.

Among the proposals discussed was an incremental home building package concept that will follow modular construction models to allow a room by room or section by section expansion over time using lightweight but strong materials such as steel frames. The incremental home building package will be matched with appropriate financing schemes from partner micro-finance institutions (MFIs).

One option would be Incremental construction which could be done in stages. The first phase will be the development of the concrete foundation of the house which will hold the steel frames.

Stage two will include the addition of concrete walls to further strengthen the structure. The other option would be modular building, which is suited for typhoon-prone areas, this option includes the construction of a core house made of concrete walls and roofing. Thereafter, the extension of the house will then be constructed using lightweight materials.

Another proposal submitted to the group is the concept of an integrated township for off-site relocation. This integrated township approach not only provide shelter, but it also includesa full range of community services such as livelihood, health, education, peace and order, recreation and church.

HUDCC consultant Lerias mentioned the plan to develop smaller communities in partnership with MFIs.

“We would very much like to pilot community-based building in smaller groups and at the same time I can see the opportunity for partnering with MFIs for this because at the moment, the CMTs work in too big amounts. We can look at the amounts that they can actually take out as a loan,” she said, adding that the function of the Socialized Housing Finance Corporation could be mirrored through an MFI.

Victor Janolino, former VP for Marketing of Republic Cement Services, Inc., thanked Lerias and Lopa for their insights and reactions to the proposals, he further assured them of the stakeholders’ continuing commitment to come up with solutions to the socialized housing problem.

“The private sector would support the efforts of the HUDCC in solving the housing crisis and making the lives of Filipinos better,” he said.