The government has shortened the processing time of housing permits issuances with regards Certificate of Registration and License to Sell.
Presidential Decree 957 (Subdivision and Condominium Buyers’ Protective Decree dated 12 July 1976) require the publication of the application for registration and licensing of project upon its filing, pursuant to Section 4 (Registration of projects) of the said decree.
In a press statement, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairman Vice President Noli De Castro ordered the Housing Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to further shorten the period thus processing has been reduced from 37 days to 21 days.
During the period of two weeks after the completion of the publication, interested parties are given the opportunity to inspect the documents of the project on file with the HLURB thus parties adversely affected by the project may file any objection.
Project developers must register their projects so they can be issued a license to sell to HLURB, the sole government regulatory agency on housing and land development.
This assures the buying public that the projects for sale have clean title and that the developer/owner has the capability to complete the project in accordance with the standards of development.
The HUDCC reminded buyers anew to be onguard of unscrupulous developers and homebuyers are encouraged to visit the subdivision/condominium where the property is located, to validate the facilities and amenities indicated in the advertisements/flyers/documents whether these are in accordance with the approved subdivision and condominium plan filed with the HLURB.
Meanwhile the government has partner with the Cities Alliance, a global coalition of cities and their development partners committed to scaling up effective approaches to poverty reduction and supporting initiatives such as city development strategies, citywide and nationwide slum upgrading and sustainable financing strategies for infrastructure.
The Public Policy Forum through the Priming Activity was designed to orient local participants and generate inputs. It discussed the issue of local authorities’ access to financing for urban development and slum upgrading and showcased particular experience of LGUs, NGOs, private sector groups and the national government.
It also showcased the collaboration between various sectors in the design and implementation of resettlement programs, particularly in the relocation of informal settlers.
De Castro who led in the hosting of the Cities Alliance forum said they are stepping up their efforts of resolving the problems of urban poverty and housing in the country and they have valuable inputs to contribute that they learned from other CA members.
The Alliance Forum in 2006 was held in Washington DC, USA.
