QUEZON CITY – Adjusting to the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a must.

Thus, declared Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario during a meeting with partner-developers via videoconference on Thursday, April 23.

At the same time, the DHSUD chief assured real estate developers that the Department is a “trusted partner” in the face of challenges triggered by the pandemic.

“Let’s adapt to the new normal, move forward and know that we are your most trusted partner for a sound housing industry,” Secretary Del Rosario told officials of major developers’ groups invited in the meeting.

The observance of social distancing and wearing of face masks in all public and work places are just among the expected new normal in the aftermath of COVID-19 crisis that may affect the construction industry, including the housing sector.

The video conference was participated in by officials from the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association Inc (CREBA) and the National Real Estate Association (NREA).

During the meeting, the developers clamored for the resumption of construction works with the promise of strict observance of health protocols, including establishment of proper health facilities within work sites.

Secretary Del Rosario said that DHSUD will be actively monitoring compliance to proper protocols by stakeholders if ever their request to resume construction is granted by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The housing czar stressed that ensuring the health and safety of all those employed in the housing sector is paramount to DHSUD at this time.

Secretary del Rosario likewise highlighted the need for further coordination with partner-developers to ensure synchronization of efforts in the housing sector.

“I am very optimistic that with our partnership, we can do more and address more concerns in the housing sector,” he stated.

On Friday, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte decided to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine, which was supposed to end by April 30 this year, by another 15 days, in “high risk areas” such as the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon that continue to report high numbers of COVID-19 cases. /Stacy Ang