DAVAO CITY –— The newly created Davao City Housing Office (DCHO) is set to address the city’s housing backlogs as its population rapidly grows.
The DCHO, now an independent office, was established through a City Council Ordinance, separating it from its mother unit, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO). This move came after the Local Housing Board (LHB) approved LHB Resolution No. 14-22 on September 9, 2022, recommending the creation of the City Housing Office as a regular department within the Davao City Government.
EnP. Estela Malate, formerly the Division Head, is now the Officer-in-Charge of the DCHO. In a press statement issued by the City Information Office, Malate noted that the city’s growing economy, a common trend for highly urbanized cities, has led to an increase in illegal settler families (ISFs), exacerbating Davao City’s housing backlogs.
“The creation of the DCHO symbolizes the local government’s commitment to addressing this issue and housing the underprivileged by implementing a cohesive, affordable, and sustainable shelter program,” Malate emphasized.
The DCHO’s objectives of addressing the backlog and establishing sustainable human settlements anchor its Local Shelter Plan (2022-2031). As a newly created department, the DCHO is currently working on digitizing its data and system through the City Information and Technology Center (CITC). The Housing Management Information System (HMIS), currently under development by technical experts from CITC, aims to enhance the effective and efficient delivery of services to its clients. This comprehensive, user-friendly management information system will fully automate the processing of documents to provide timely and accurate information to its clients and executives as a basis for decision-making.
The DCHO is also preparing to occupy a more spacious office to accommodate additional manpower and resources needed for its operational functions. The hiring of technical experts and other qualified personnel is yet to start. In the meantime, the DCHO is conducting a census for ISFs and prospective beneficiaries for future housing projects, starting with the 355.7-hectare Regional Government Center in Bago Oshiro.
Additionally, the DCHO manages the Slum Improvement and Resettlement (SIR) Sites, the 62 Homeowners’ Associations for the Urban Land Reform Program (ULRP), and other resettlement sites built through various schemes. The city continues to acquire lots through its Landbanking Program.
Malate clarified that not all ISFs will automatically qualify for the city’s various relocation and housing programs. The screening process will prioritize those below the poverty threshold and with no landholding.
In August 2021, the House of Representatives declared a housing crisis in the country through House Resolution 1677. A 2023 United Nations report projected that the country’s 6.5 million housing backlogs in 2022 will balloon to 22 million by 2024 if the state fails to come up with solutions to alleviate the problem.
The DCHO’s initiatives are crucial in addressing these alarming projections and ensuring that Davao City can provide adequate housing for its growing population.
