Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (Philippines)
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| Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (Philippines) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development |
| Native name | Kagawaran ng Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan ng Lungsod |
| Formed | 2019 |
| Preceding1 | Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council |
| Jurisdiction | Philippines |
| Headquarters | Quezon City |
| Chief1 name | Nebraska M. Vitas |
| Chief2 name | Marissa J. De la Cruz |
| Parent agency | Philippine government |
Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (Philippines) is the executive department responsible for policy formulation, program implementation, and regulation of housing and urban development in the Philippines. Established following legislative action in 2019, the department coordinates with national agencies, local government units such as Metro Manila Development Authority, and international organizations like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to address informal settlements, public housing, and urban planning. It succeeded the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and integrates functions formerly held by agencies including the National Housing Authority, Home Development Mutual Fund, and Social Housing Finance Corporation.
History
The creation of the department followed decades of policy debate involving entities such as the National Economic and Development Authority, Congress of the Philippines, and advocacy groups like Habitat for Humanity Philippines and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap. Draft proposals drew on comparative models from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (UK), and the Singapore Housing and Development Board. After passage of Republic Act No. 11201 and subsequent implementing issuances, the department was formally established in 2019, consolidating functions from the National Housing Authority, the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), and the Social Housing Finance Corporation. Early leadership engaged with mayors from cities such as Manila, Quezon City, and Cebu City and collaborated with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme on informal settlement upgrading.
Mandate and Functions
The department's mandate is derived from statutory instruments enacted by the Congress of the Philippines and executive issuances from the Office of the President (Philippines). Core functions include formulation of national housing policy in coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority, regulation of housing finance in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, planning and implementation of socialized housing projects with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and urban development initiatives aligning with the Philippine Development Plan. It also oversees land use and resettlement programs interacting with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Organizational Structure
The departmental organization comprises the Office of the Secretary, several undersecretariats, and attached agencies. Major attached agencies include the National Housing Authority, the Home Development Mutual Fund, and the Social Housing Finance Corporation. The department houses bureaus for Policy and Planning, Housing Finance, Urban Development, Resettlement, and Legal Affairs, and maintains regional offices aligned with administrative regions such as Region IV-A (CALABARZON and Region VII (Central Visayas). Interagency committees include technical working groups with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment on community-based livelihood in resettlement sites.
Key Programs and Projects
Notable programs include socialized housing projects in partnership with local governments, the Balik Probinsya-aligned resettlement initiatives, informal settler household upgrading pilot projects coordinated with United Nations Development Programme, and climate-resilient housing efforts supported by the Asian Development Bank. The department administers housing finance schemes through the Home Development Mutual Fund and mortgage programs leveraging capital markets such as the Philippine Stock Exchange for secondary mortgage liquidity. Urban regeneration projects have been pursued in collaboration with the Metro Manila Development Authority and city governments of Davao City and Cagayan de Oro. Pilot smart city and transit-oriented development projects have involved technical cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Budget and Financing
Funding streams include appropriations from the annual General Appropriations Act approved by the Congress of the Philippines, internally generated funds from attached agencies like the Home Development Mutual Fund, and multilateral financing from institutions such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The department also leverages credit instruments, bonds listed on the Philippine Dealing System, and public–private partnership arrangements regulated by the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System and the National Economic and Development Authority's PPP Center. Budget allocations are subject to scrutiny in hearings of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development and the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
Legislative and Regulatory Framework
The department operates under Republic Acts enacted by the Congress of the Philippines, executive orders from the Office of the President (Philippines), and implementing rules issued by the department itself. Key statutes informing its work include laws governing the Home Development Mutual Fund, the charter of the National Housing Authority, and finance regulations overseen by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It issues regulations affecting land acquisition, resettlement, and housing standards that intersect with statutes administered by the Department of Justice and the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Criticisms and Controversies
The department has faced criticism from civil society organizations such as Urban Poor Associates and Kalahi over the adequacy of resettlement sites, alleged delays in project implementation, and coordination with local governments including controversies involving mayoral administrations in Navotas and Marikina. Oversight bodies including the Commission on Audit and inquiries in the House of Representatives have raised questions on procurement, allocation of funds, and transparency in land disposition deals. Debates continue in the Senate of the Philippines and among policy researchers at institutions like the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines about the balance between in-city upgrading and off-city relocation, and the department's approach to informal settler integration.