Skilled labor shortage threatens housing

The labor shortage that caused delays in the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program continues to persist under the current administration. Despite the challenges, the country’s chief socioeconomic planner views it as a potential indicator of improving labor market conditions and rising wages. “Yes, there’s scarcity but when jobs are becoming scarce, that’s good for labor because […]

Gov’t raises price caps for socialized housing

The government has raised the “outdated” price ceilings for socialized subdivision and condominium projects in a bid to attract private investors to the Marcos administration’s ambitious mass housing program. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Monday said that its head, Jose Rizalino Acuzar, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary […]

Housing the poor – market-driven vs. government-led

According to NEDA: “The diminishing role of the government in direct housing provision at this time is unacceptable when there is still a big number of households in need of decent and affordable housing but who cannot as yet effectively participate in the market.”