THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) authorized the issuance of Temporary License to Sell (TLS) allowing developers to start selling lots and units as the “expeditious” issuance of licenses to sell is hampered by delays amid the pandemic.
In a statement, the DHSUD said the pre-requisites needed from national and local agencies coupled with mobility restrictions brought by the pandemic pose substantial delay in the issuance of LS by the department to housing developers.
DSHUD said Department Order 2021-008 signed by its Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario aims to address the private sector’s concerns on the issuance of other pre-requisites before they can secure a license to sell.
Through this order, Del Rosario said they expect “continuity and sustainment of the vibrancy in the housing and real estate sector.”
It is part of DHSUD’s mandate to streamline and expedite regulatory processes for new and pending applications for permits, licenses and certificate of registration by developers of subdivision and condominium projects. Developers are only allowed and authorized to start selling lots and units after obtaining a license to sell. Hence, they can immediately generate more funding and capitalization for their projects with the issuance of a TLS.
“A TLS can address the urgent need of private developers to sell lots and units, thus, in turn, will give premium to the housing sector in aiding the economy to recover faster amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Del Rosario also said he wants to assure the public that the interests of the homebuyers are protected through imposing certain conditions and other requirements before a TLS is issued.
He also said that the new measure is part of the DHSUD’s proactive steps in helping the private sector remain robust amid health crisis, ensure the production of housing units across the country and provide employment for hundreds of thousands of Filipinos working in the housing and construction industry.
“With this Department Order, we are not only contributing to pump-priming the economy, we are also helping our kababayans working in the housing and real estate sector to continue providing for their families amid the pandemic,” the housing czar said.
The new measure covers all residential, commercial and industrial subdivision and condominium projects, as well as any similar real estate undertakings such as cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria.
The new order’s terms and conditions include the validity of the TLS for one year from the date of release (a 6-month extension may be granted upon appeal for valid reasons) and that TLS holders shall submit a monthly report of sales and project operations.
Any project applying for the issuance of a TLS, except for socialized housing projects, will be required to comply with existing rules and regulations pursuant to the “balanced housing development program.” Violations shall have corresponding fines and penalties, the DHSUD said.