Senator Francis Escudero wants the government to tap around 80,000 unsold condominium units in Metro Manila for its housing program, saying these could provide homes for Filipinos without having to build new residential developments.

Escudero raised the proposal during his Chiz Wiz! podcast over the weekend, where Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Undersecretary Marisol Anenias and Colliers Philippines Research Director Joey Roi Bondoc discussed the country’s housing situation.

Bondoc cited an estimated 80,000 unsold condominium units in the National Capital Region alone, many of which were originally intended for the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) market.

Escudero described the situation as a housing paradox, with thousands of condominium units remaining unoccupied while millions of Filipinos continue to face a housing shortage.

“Why build from scratch when there are already existing units that can be made available to our people?” he said.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, said the government should explore ways to integrate these available units into the expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

Anenias said the DHSUD already allows developers to enroll excess housing inventory in the 4PH Program, although they may have to accept lower profit margins or absorb losses.

Escudero said the bigger challenge was making homes affordable for ordinary Filipinos, particularly through financing arrangements that would allow them to manage monthly payments.

“Housing is not simply a problem of supply. The bigger challenge is making homes affordable for ordinary Filipinos through financing terms they can realistically pay every month,” he said.

He proposed improved financing schemes, subsidies and longer repayment periods to bring down monthly housing costs. He also called for more affordable rental housing for families not yet ready to buy their own homes.

Escudero cited Senate Bill No. 1992, which seeks to strengthen the government’s capacity to acquire land for socialized housing and has passed third reading in the Senate.

He also recently filed Senate Bill No. 2571, which would allow developers to convert ready-for-occupancy units into accredited socialized housing, provided these meet DHSUD price ceilings and development standards.IMT