Manila: The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is set to establish 'express lanes' to streamline the issuance of permits and licenses for projects under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. In a news release on Thursday, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling noted the initiative is in collaboration with other government agencies and in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure efficient delivery of public service.
According to Philippines News Agency, Aliling presided over a multiagency meeting to discuss the proposed establishment of express lanes for socialized housing projects, aimed at fast-tracking the turnaround time for permits, certifications, and licenses under the Expanded 4PH Program. Officials and representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources, and Information and Communications Technology, as well as the Land Registration Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Board of Investments, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Electrification Authority, Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Resources Board, and the Anti-Red Tape Authority attended the meeting.
Aliling said concerned agencies should initially prioritize policy adjustments that can immediately speed up project approvals, subject to existing laws and regulations. 'Para mas strategic tayo, tutukan muna natin yung mga polisiya ng bawat ahensya na kaya agad mapabilis ang approval ng mga proyekto sa ilalim ng Expanded 4PH Program (To be more strategic, let us first focus on the policies of each agency that can immediately speed up the approval of projects under the Expanded 4PH Program),' he said. He stressed that each agency plays a critical role in simplifying processes to benefit the public and address the housing shortage.
He also underscored the importance of digitalization to ensure interoperability among government offices, allowing real-time tracking and updating of application statuses. DHSUD Senior Undersecretaries Henry Yap and Eduardo Robles, who are both involved in the DHSUD's initiatives to streamline housing project processes, joined Aliling. Earlier this month, the DHSUD secured the commitment of the BIR to simplify and streamline applications for tax exemptions of socialized housing projects.
'DHSUD is taking this seriously to fulfill our commitment to housing stakeholders by 2028. We have cut processes internally to improve the turnaround time of License to Sell issuance. We expect other agencies to cooperate with us to have a sustainable legacy in the housing industry,' Aliling said.
