The Philippine housing sector is facing a familiar challenge with a changing set of demands: more homes are needed, but the communities being built also have to work better for the people who will live in them.
That means faster and clearer government processes, better planning, affordable and sustainable options, reliable infrastructure, and housing choices that reflect how Filipino families live today.
34th SHDA National Developers Convention (2026)
These priorities were brought together at the 34th National Developers Convention of the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), held September 16 to 17 at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
More than 400 stakeholders attended the convention, including national policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and industry leaders. The event was held under the theme “Elevate: Sustaining Progress through Collaboration and Strategic Housing Innovations.”
The convention concluded with the adoption of a seven-point resolution roadmap, giving SHDA and its partners a set of priorities to pursue after the event.
The resolutions were formally presented by SHDA Corporate Secretary Atty. Mena R. Ojeda Jr. The first calls for sustained engagement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The second focuses on strengthening ease of doing business and participation in Technical Working Groups for the Joint Memorandum Circular involving 15 agencies on housing permitting and licensing.
The third supports digitization of government-to-government processes and land-titling computerization. The fourth calls for stronger housing taxation efforts, including the review of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act and land valuation.
The fifth priority is stronger collaboration for affordable and sustainable housing. The sixth looks at economic corridor opportunities while recognizing the need to plan alongside solid waste management, water, electricity, and connectivity. The seventh calls for new and innovative housing developments that can respond to changing social and economic conditions, demographics, preferences, and demand.
Taken together, the seven points reflect many of the issues raised during the convention.
Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, Senior Economist at CRC Foundation Inc. and Associate Professor at the University of Asia & the Pacific, presented a status report on the Collaborative Philippine Housing Roadmap 2025–2040. He cited progress in streamlining developer permitting standards, including a mandatory 15-day service-level agreement for License to Sell approvals, a zero-backlog initiative across regional offices, and 100% digital tracking for development permits. Other roadmap goals remain in progress.
[L-R] SHDA Chairman Engr. Francis Richmond Villegas, Asst. Corp. Secretary and 2026 National Developers Convention Chairperson Clarissa de Joya, and National President Kerwin V. Padua formally declared the opening of the two-day convention.
The business and policy environment surrounding housing was also examined. Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Atty. Larry Barcelo discussed tax issuances and compliance requirements. Philippine Institute for Development Studies Vice President Dr. Marife Ballesteros focused on housing affordability, while Colliers Philippines Research Director Joey Bondoc shared an outlook on the property market beyond 2026.
Process reform was another major topic. Anti-Red Tape Authority Deputy Director General for Operations Undersecretary Dr. Lea Grace Salcedo presented JMC No. 1, s. 2026 under the National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies, or NEHEMIA. The initiative aims to streamline housing processes and support an electronic housing one-stop shop.
The convention also discussed land acquisition and conversion, digital government services, 4PH project processes, and eNotarization. Other sessions covered the Luzon Economic Corridor, waste management, circular economy practices, and electricity solutions for communities.
While government processes and industry conditions were important, the convention also asked a more direct question: what are future homebuyers actually looking for?
Philippine Survey Research Center Research Director Andrea Dizon shared findings showing that 61% of Filipinos planning to purchase a house within the next three years prefer to live just outside the city.
Opportunity and family remain important factors. Seventy-eight percent cited opportunity as a consideration, while 57% preferred to live within 30 minutes of family. The findings point to demand for homes that offer better space and a more comfortable setting while remaining connected to city corridors and family networks.
Innovation sessions showed some of the ways the industry can respond. Jacinto C. Ng Jr., Founder and Group Executive Officer of Joy~Nostalg Group | Raemulan Lands Inc., discussed NING*NING, which created the world’s first grid-connected, utility-scale solar rooftop installation integrated into a socialized housing community.
Globe Telecom Vice President Abigail Cardino highlighted connectivity in modern homes and communities. GIGIL Founding Partner Badong Abesamis and Plus 63 Co-Founder Dan Matutina discussed creative strategy and design thinking, including ways of reaching the modern homebuyer.
Long-term development was also part of the conversation. Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation Chief Operating Officer Enrique Manuel shared lessons from three decades of developing Bonifacio Global City, including long-term planning, infrastructure, estate management, and the district’s next phase of smart-city, mobility, and sustainability initiatives.
PGAA Creative Design Principal Archt. Paulo Alcazaren traced the evolution of Philippine subdivision planning and discussed the value of more walkable and sustainable communities, with public spaces given a stronger role.
The challenge now is making sure the convention’s ideas continue beyond the event.
SHDA Chairman Engr. Francis Richmond Villegas said, “A convention is only as good as what happens after it ends. These resolutions give our members, and the agencies we work with, something concrete to hold each other to.”
Assistant Corporate Secretary and Convention Overall Chairperson Clarissa de Joya said the event stood out because participating agencies made specific commitments, from permitting reforms and a formal review of property valuation law to discussions about changing consumer behavior.
National President Kerwin Padua likewise stressed the need for action. “Two days of dialogue mean nothing if we don’t act on them. These resolutions are how we make sure this convention outlasts the days it happened in,” he said.
SHDA reaffirmed its commitment to continue collaborating with DHSUD and other government partners. The Convention Resolutions will serve as a guide for public and private stakeholders as they work on policies and programs affecting housing development and delivery.
The seven-point plan ultimately brings the industry back to a practical goal: creating a housing sector that can deliver more effectively while keeping pace with the changing needs of Filipino families and communities.
2026 SHDA National Officers, Chapter Presidents, Board of Governors and Advisors
ABOUT THE SUBDIVISION AND HOUSING DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (SHDA)
The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), Inc. is the foremost industry association for housing and development in the Philippines. With 350 members nationwide and eight regional chapters, SHDA maintains strong connections among the country’s top players and a dynamic national network of small and medium developers.
As the largest and leading industry association for housing and urban development in the Philippines, SHDA has actively partnered with the nation’s housing policymakers, key shelter agencies, and stakeholders for over 50 years, thereby playing a pivotal role in developing and strengthening the industry’s capabilities. SHDA member developers are responsible for building 80% of the homes produced annually in the country, giving the organization unparalleled reach among Philippine homebuyers.
For more information, visit shda.ph.