Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Acuzar urged local government units (LGUs) to actively be involved in housing projects for the informal settler families (ISFs).

In a press release on Monday, Acuzar recognized the role of LGUs as one of the key components in addressing and solving the challenges in the housing sector.

”They are our allies in development,” he said.

Metro Manila officials namely Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Congressman Roman Romulo, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz, and Caloocan City Mayor Dale Malapitan earlier met Alcuzar for a consultation to address housing backlogs and provide affordable shelters to ISFs in their respective areas.

He shared to the local chief executives the strategies in maximizing the use of government land in the city for public housing.

Acuzar expressed his hope to meet more governors, mayors, and lawmakers who will support the department’s vision for the Filipino community.

Alongside, he shared that he also aims to involve many private developers and financial institutions for a faster production of houses.

“The housing sector in the country needs aggressive efforts. Therefore, we have to involve every stakeholder that can take part in this advocacy of the new administration – that is to provide shelter to millions of Filipinos,” he said.

During the meeting with the Senate Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Resettlement on Wednesday, Aug. 17, Acuzar reported a 6.5 million units of housing backlogs from 2017 to 2022.