Full implementation of law creating new housing dep’t sought

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape.” (File Photo: Ron Salo/Facebook)

MANILA – A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday pushed for the full implementation of the law creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which has certain mandates on disaster resilience and recovery, particularly those relating to housing concerns.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said it has been 10 months since the DHSUD charter was signed into law, but there is no DHSUD Secretary yet nor any “semblance of the new department taking shape.”

“By now, we should have had a DHSUD Secretary involved in ‘Tisoy’ disaster response and recovery particularly on housing concerns,” Salo said.

Salo cited a provision stating that the new department shall formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for the post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.

The law consolidates the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to the Department.

“The HUDCC chairman should update Congress very soon of the status of the DHSUD and inform the legislators of any and all problems that may be delaying the full implementation of RA (Republic Act) 11201,” Salo said.

“Ten months is more than enough time for the implementing rules and the reorganization of the government housing sector into the new DHSUD. In fact, RA 11201 provides a six-month deadline for the transition,” he added, noting that it has been four months after that deadline.

Salo said Congress and its members have the duty and right to exercise oversight authority on the implementation of laws, noting that he is eyeing a congressional inquiry into the matter.

“Sa ngayon malinaw na paliwanag at detalyadong report muna ang kailangan natin mula sa HUDCC. Kailangan nating malaman ang sitwasyon. Sayang ‘yung panahon (For now, what we need is a clear and detailed report from the HUDCC. We need to know the status of the new department. Time should not be wasted),” Salo said.