The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has issued a directive to significantly speed up the approval process for socialized housing projects across the Philippines. This move is a key part of the government's push to ramp up the production of affordable homes in the coming year.
Fast-Tracked Approvals to Fuel Housing Momentum
In a statement released on January 4, 2026, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling ordered all regional offices to expedite the processing and release of Certificates of Registration and Licenses to Sell (CR/LS). The clear instruction is for compliant applications to be approved within the first 10 working days of 2026. This aggressive timeline is designed to sustain the positive momentum from 2025 and ensure a strong start for the housing sector.
Secretary Aliling emphasized that this acceleration is in direct response to the President's directive for enhanced public service. He has tasked Senior Supervising Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz, along with relevant bureaus and regional offices, to implement this streamlined process. The goal is to remove bureaucratic delays that often hinder private developers from breaking ground on new projects.
Stimulating the Economy and Expanding Choices
The primary objective behind this directive is twofold. First, it aims to stimulate economic activity within the housing and real estate sector, a significant driver of jobs and growth. Second, it seeks to expand the reach of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
"Faster processing of development permits and CR/LS would allow private developers to build more socialized housing projects and expand choices for homebuyers," Aliling explained. By enabling developers to bring projects to market quicker, the government hopes to increase the inventory of affordable, safe, and decent homes available to Filipino families.
Strict Compliance as a Prerequisite
However, the DHSUD chief was clear that this accelerated pathway is not a shortcut. The 10-day approval window applies exclusively to applications that fully comply with all existing laws, rules, and regulations. Only submissions with complete documentation will benefit from the expedited process. This condition ensures that while speed is prioritized, the integrity, safety, and legality of housing projects are not compromised.
This directive forms a crucial part of the administration's broader strategy to streamline housing approvals nationwide. By cutting red tape, the DHSUD aims to make tangible progress on its mission of enabling more Filipinos to achieve their dream of homeownership through the Expanded 4PH program in 2026 and beyond.
