Subdivision developers want changes in Public Service Act

The Subdivision Developers and Housing Association (SHDA) has expressed its support to the proposed amendments to the Public Service Act recently approved on third reading at the House of Representatives.

The SHDA, an organization of housing and real estate developers in the country, said it viewed House Bill 5828 as a landmark legislation that will “facilitate greater access and affordability of basic services such as transportation and communication.”

HB 5828 was passed on third reading last Sept. 8.

In line with the group’s objective to provide affordable housing for Filipinos, SHDA chairman Willie Uy said greater competition that will drive down the rates of services necessary for construction such as transportation would help in the sustainability and growth of the housing industry.

“We don’t just build houses, we build communities, and for a community to thrive, the people living in it must have access to basic public services such as transportation and communication, at prices that they can afford,” Uy said.

SHDA president Christopher Narciso, for his part, cited the importance of these services to access to financial services and coordination during times of disaster, which is a constant reality for the country.

“It’s really a very basic economic principle; more players will result in greater competition, and competition will drive rates down. Any legislation that seeks to make this happen, is not only helpful to the housing industry, but eventually to Filipino consumers. This bill has our full support,” Narciso said.

The country’s Public Service Act prohibits majority ownership by foreign entities in public utilities.

The bill was proposed to amend the statutory definitions of public utility to open industries like telecommunications, transport, power and water to more foreign ownership.