Focus on the Poor, not the middle class
Senator Cynthia Villar has opposed the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) plan to build condominiums to solve the housing crisis in the Philippines. In a budget hearing on November 12, 2024, Villar said the DHSUD should focus on helping the poor, not the middle class.
She criticized the plan to build 3.2 million condominium units, saying that these units are too expensive for low-income families. “Why are you building condos for the middle class when your job is to help the poor?” she asked. Many poor people, like tricycle drivers and street vendors, cannot afford the monthly fees of P2,400 to P3,000 for a condo.
Concerns about corruption
Villar also raised concerns about possible corruption in the projects. She asked if government officials or contractors would get a share of the profits if the condominium projects move forward. “Will they get a percentage from the contractor? This is something we need to investigate,” she said.
Affordable housing options needed
The senator called for more affordable housing options, such as land ownership or the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), which helps low-income families buy land and build homes. She asked the DHSUD to make sure the poor would have the choice between buying a condo or using the CMP.
Support for the DHSUD budget
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored the DHSUD’s 2025 budget of P6.363 billion, defended the plan. She said there are 535 housing projects already in progress, aiming to build 1.2 million units. However, the original goal of building 6 million units by 2028 was reduced to 3.2 million.
