Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Thursday expressed support for the passage of the National Land Use Act guided by the principles of rationalized and equitable use of land, and revealed that he has instructed key shelter agencies of the housing sector to formulate a consolidated position on the Land Use Bill.
The housing czar told members of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations (CREBA) during a meeting that he directed the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to enlist the assistance of concerned government agencies and local governments in conducting an inventory of non-irrigable lands.
"The purpose is to prioritize the development of needed infrastructure that will fully utilize the potential of these lands," he said.
Binay also urged CREBA to help in preparing a study of the viability of using this type of land for housing, as well as in conducting the inventory.
According to Binay, if the study finds that the non-irrigable lands are still part of the public domain, the housing sector will recommend the issuance of a presidential proclamation declaring these areas as socialized and non-socialized housing sites.
"This approach will save us from the long and tedious process of conversion and will reduce the cost of developing these sites for housing," the Vice President added.
Binay also disclosed the other three major agenda for the housing industry for the last half of his term as HUDCC chair, which includes reforms in the implementation of tax incentives for socialized and mass housing developers.
"Accordingly, we are engaging the Department of Finance and other stakeholders in the formulation of uniform and common guidelines for the full implementation of tax incentives," he told the members. He added that he instructed the HUDCC to pursue with the DOF the discussions on the proposed executive order that the CREBA submitted.
Binay also said that the housing sector is working with the National Economic Development Authority to complete the evaluation of the proposal to include socialized housing condominium as part of the definition for socialized housing.
He added that this was the response to President Aquino’s call for a housing program for informal settlers in danger areas. As well, he said that the sector’s new thrust is private sector-led on-site development through low- or medium-rise buildings in highly urbanized areas.
The last part of the agenda is resolving concerns of developers regarding the non-uniformity of implementation of some housing regulations, guidelines and procedures in the issuance of housing permits and licenses.
"To resolve this, the HLURB is working closely with the DILG to promote awareness and ensure compliance of local governments with the approved processes in subdivision approval."
Binay further said that the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) had approved the establishment of one-stop shops that will process housing related permits in all HLURB regional offices.