As the 2nd socialized housing summit hosted by ACSent and SEDPI at Ateneo de Manila University drew to a close, Vince Rapisura provided key takeaways and actionable steps toward addressing the Philippines’ housing backlog. Emphasizing the commitment of Senator Risa Hontiveros to champion housing issues in her legislative agenda, Rapisura outlined a strategic approach to enhance the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program. Key proposals include diversifying housing modalities, securing funding for SHFC, streamlining licensing and permitting for developers, and incorporating people’s plans and horizontal development strategies.
Furthermore, Rapisura announced plans for a collaborative workshop aimed at bridging microfinance institutions and developers, reflecting the summit’s consensus on the need for multi-sectoral cooperation. He also called for partnerships with Pag-IBIG Fund to expand financing options for prospective homeowners. Highlighting the importance of fair labor practices, Rapisura advocated for improved pay and benefits for construction workers, essential to the sector’s sustainability.
Committed to maintaining the momentum, Rapisura announced the decision to host annual summits to tackle the 6.5 million housing unit backlog, inviting all stakeholders to contribute to the collective effort of building sustainable, inclusive communities across the Philippines.