THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has intensified its efforts to protect homebuyers by fast-tracking the resolution of their concerns through mass conciliations in its regional offices, Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said on Sunday.
Aliling said he issued a memorandum directing all regional offices (ROs) to expedite the conduct and resolution of conciliation proceedings between homebuyers and developers.
“Prioritize conciliation efforts in all applicable cases to encourage amicable settlement between the parties at the earliest possible stage,” Aliling told the regional directors (RDs).
The DHSUD chief also instructed the RDs to ensure proper scheduling to avoid unnecessary delays and exhaust all means for reconciliation before any enforcement action.
“All ROs are further directed to closely monitor the status of conciliation cases and submit regular reports,” he said.
At the Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), Undersecretary Odilon Pasaraba immediately conducted a two-day mass conciliation at the Rizal Coliseum in Calamba City, Laguna, where hundreds of homebuyers and developers from the area met to resolve pending cases through dialogue, the DHSUD said.
A total of 241 cases were scheduled for hearing and conciliation, allowing the parties to reach amicable settlements and address longstanding concerns in a collaborative setting. The same efforts are ongoing in various ROs.
As part of the department’s Zero Backlog Program, the initiative aims to provide faster, more accessible, and cost-effective dispute resolution services while strengthening consumer protection in the housing sector, Aliling said.
“The move will ensure protection and unburden homebuyers from the stress they experience with unresolved housing concerns,” he said.
“As a regulatory agency, DHSUD is balancing the welfare and protection of all our stakeholders, particularly homebuyers,” he added.
Among the cases being addressed are the unlicensed sale of property, the delayed turnover of real estate projects, and the refund.
Since he assumed office, Aliling directed DHSUD senior officials to address backlogs and focus on practical outcomes for complaints received by regional offices, besides intensifying rollout of the flagship expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
