SHDA National Developers Convention 2026 all set to “Elevate” housing innovations

SHDA has gained the support, trust and confidence of both the executive and legislative bodies of the government.

The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) is one of the country’s leading organizations of housing and settlements development both for vertical/condominiums, and horizontal projects/subdivisions.

The objective of SHDA is to promote a vibrant housing industry and to help the government in providing sustainable, accessible, decent and affordable housing to address the country’s housing need.

SHDA has some 350 plus developer members all over the country with eight regional chapters to enhance and bring services to its members in the regions—Central Luzon [Pampanga], Southern Luzon [Quezon], Northern Mindanao [Cagayan de Oro], Southern Mindanao [Davao], Central Visayas [Cebu], Eastern Visayas [Tacloban], Panay [Iloilo].

SHDA’s membership

Regular members are housing developers who are engaged in direct production of housing, including new town settlements and developments.

Affiliate members are the other key stakeholders in the housing industry—the suppliers and manufacturers of housing inputs, financial institutions and banks, professionals, brokers, environmental and urban planners, engineers, technology proponents, which all impact on housing and urban development.

SHDA has gained the support, trust and confidence of both the executive and legislative bodies of the government, the academe, international and local private organizations allied to housing and settlements development. The organization has always been invited, consulted in the planning, implementation, monitoring of all housing-related development initiatives and activities.

The 34th SHDA National Developers Convention

The convention is a two-day activity which will be held in on September 16 and 17, 2026 at the Marquis Events Place, BGC Taguig City.

The convention will bring together all practitioners in the housing industry, both from the government and the private sector, as well as leaders, experts, catalyst for change and progress in the industry. It is an avenue wherein the latest updates, trends and developments in the housing sector will be shared by distinguished key speakers from the government and the private sector involved in the housing industry. We expect some 500 plus delegates from the different regions of the country.

This year’s theme is “Elevate: Sustaining Progress through Collaboration and Strategic Housing Innovations.”

We will highlight not just the challenges and opportunities in the industry but policies and initiatives that power sustainable housing, the partnerships in building success through collaboration, the ecosystem behind the thriving communities, the changing socio-economic demographic characteristics of the housing market, purposive thinking in life design, and the good practices and experiences to shape the future together.

We will focus on programs and strategies all with the objective of addressing the country’s housing need. Innovations emerging trends, sustainable, resilient affordable and accessible housing.

The event will be highlighted with a Convention Resolution which is a compilation of proposals and recommendations, as well as the major areas for action for both the government and the private sector for the achievement of the overall objectives of growth and development in the housing Sector.

SHDA 2026 accomplishments summary

1. Strengthened government relations and policy advocacy

SHDA consistently strengthened its efforts in engagement with key government agencies, headed by DHSUD, the various oversight bodies of the government on housing, particularly on issues affecting housing development, permitting, taxation, land titling, and affordable and faster delivery of housing.

• Maintained active engagement with DHSUD, ARTA, Pag-IBIG/HDMF, LRA, BOI, BIR, DAR, LGUs, and Congress/Senate;

• Engaged DHSUD leadership on the socialized and economic housing price ceilings concerns, balanced housing compliance, One-Stop Shops, and streamlining of permits and Licenses to Sell and key major Department Circular issuances;

• Participated in the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement public hearing, contributing to discussions on the Condominium Act, UDHA, Local Housing Boards, Realty Installment Buyer Protection Act, rental housing subsidy, Sustainable housing finance, land use, and other housing legislation;

• Pursued the streamlining of land conversion and raised policy concerns relating to DHSUD issuances, socialized/economic housing price ceilings, and escrow utilization; and

• Engaged the Board of Investments (BOI) on the inclusion of mass housing in the 2025–2027 Strategic Investments Priority Program and on tax incentives, rationalization of BIR requirements, and opportunities for public-private partnerships.

2. Advanced the ease of doing business agenda

One of SHDA’s important accomplishments during the period was its sustained advocacy for simplified, faster, and more predictable housing regulatory processes and the overall objective of Ease of Doing Business.

• SHDA worked directly with ARTA on the Joint Memorandum Circular intended to streamline housing permitting across government agencies. At the February engagement, the JMC was already being routed for signatures among 15 government agencies.

• SHDA subsequently participated in the June 8 ARTA meeting on DHSUD regulatory issuances and processes, where it presented concrete developer concerns and recommendations regarding procedural bottlenecks, Cease and Desist Orders, delays in unit delivery, socialized housing compliance, CLUP requirements, and the need for private-sector consultation.

• ARTA acknowledged that SHDA’s inputs would help inform its review and recommendations for improving the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of the regulatory framework. ARTA head, Secretary Ernesto V. Perez has invited SHDA to be part of the TWG to craft the implementing guidelines of the Joint Memorandum Circular signed by the various oversight agencies in housing for the Ease of Doing Business.

• SHDA participated in the ARTA Multi-Stakeholder Housing Forum and launch of Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, s. 2026, covering the streamlining and digitalization of processes involved in the acquisition, construction, development, and disposition of housing developments.

• SHDA also promoted digitalization through its participation in the e-Notarization and Philippine real estate sector webinar, emphasizing electronic notarization as an ease-of-doing-business measure.

3. Strengthened tax and regulatory advocacy for developers

SHDA actively represented developer concerns before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

• In its May 6, 2026 meeting with the BIR Commissioner, SHDA raised concerns on taxability of certain developer-collected fees; VAT treatment of donated subdivision roads, open spaces and common areas; and Capital Gains Tax incentives under RA 7279 for socialized housing developers.

• The BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza committed to issue clarificatory pronouncements and firm guidelines/checklists for Regional Offices to promote uniform implementation.

• SHDA subsequently continued the dialogue with the BIR Legal Group regarding VAT on the mandatory donation/turnover of subdivision open spaces and other common areas to LGUs, advocating for uniform application of the law.

• SHDA also engaged tax professionals on the issue and initiated preparation of a position paper for the concerned government agencies.

4. Strategic partnerships to ensure members’ benefits

SHDA translated its partnership-building efforts into concrete agreements intended to benefit developer-members as well as affiliate members with their products and services

SHDA–HCG-Hocheng Philippines Corp. partnership

• SHDA entered into an MOU with HCG to enhance product access, service efficiency, and industry support for affordable housing.

• HCG committed to provide products responsive to low-cost housing pricing, sustainable products, a rebate mechanism for SHDA developer-members, and priority services including technical assistance, demonstrations and warranties. HCG has designed specific bathroom fixtures exclusively for SHDA Members and extends preferential pricing and services.

SHDA–PCON International Corp.-Eco Bloc AAC Blocks partnership

• SHDA formalized its partnership with PCON for the direct supply of ECO Blocks, an alternative to concrete hollow blocks, exclusively for SHDA developer-members.

• The arrangement provides special pricing, distribution, and service arrangements, while promoting AITECH and Philippine Green Building-certified products.

Other major partnership development

SHDA also pursued collaborations with Meralco, TOSOT supplier of quality airconditions system, Happy Well Management and Collection Services, PwC-member firm Cabrera & Company, Pacific Paint [Boysen] Philippines, Davies Paints, World Home Depot, Steel Tech [ United Steel Technology International Corp.], Hafele, Ponte Fino Hotels, and other affiliate partners for member services, events, technical discussions, and industry support.

5. Expanded regional engagement and member connectivity

SHDA strengthened its regional presence and brought services closer to its members through Kapihans and regional visits, bringing national officers and government agencies to engage with its member developers.

• Conducted the South Luzon Kapihan and Regional Visit, featuring DHSUD and LRA officials who addressed regulatory, land titling, and developer concerns;

• Conducted Central Luzon Kapihan and regional Visit, bringing discussions with the National and local government offices;

• Conducted the Panay Chapter Kapihan and Regional Visit, where SHDA members received updates on housing finance and LRA land titling/digitalization;

• Conducted the Central Visayas Kapihan and Regional Visit, where SHDA presented proposals for improving DHSUD regulatory implementation and addressed questions from regional developers;

• Conducted the Sothern Mindanao Kapihan and regional Visit, where discussions on current government issuances, Pag-Ibig and Local Governments areas for collaboration and developers’ proposals and positions were discussed; and

• Continued coordination with the regional chapters covering South Luzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Negros, Panay, Southern Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao.

This directly supports SHDA’s 2026 thrust of bringing SHDA services closer to regional members. The 2026 priorities specifically identified regional chapter visits and membership development as a key organizational thrust.

6. Increased SHDA’s participation in national housing and legislative discussions

SHDA established a stronger voice in national policy discussions in the legislative and executive fronts.

• Participated in Senate deliberations on major housing legislation;

• Participated as a resource person in the MIND Act public hearing, supporting the measure while recommending consideration of ARTA, proper land valuation, connectivity, funding, inclusive strategies, and balanced regional infrastructure development;

• Participated in the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development hearing on HSAC amendments, solar-home financing, and affordable housing programs for public school teachers and government medical workers. SHDA supported the bills while emphasizing implementation, incentives, and developer participation in solar-powered housing; and

• Developed/advanced SHDA positions concerning socialized housing, balanced housing, regulatory implementation, and other housing-sector policies, including the August position paper on House Bill No. 9697.

SHDA has continuously and consistently actively participated in all invitations to deliberations on important legislations which will impact on the housing sector

7. Promoted affordable, sustainable and resilient housing

SHDA increasingly incorporated sustainability, resilience, technology and inclusive financing into its advocacy.

• Partnered with HCG and PCON to facilitate access to sustainable and cost-responsive housing inputs;

• Engaged the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter regarding climate-resilient housing, thermal comfort strategies, and resilience-related recommendations for SHDA’s advocacy work;

• Participated in the Housing Microfinance Forum, advocating stronger collaboration between Pag-IBIG, government and local lending institutions to expand inclusive and sustainable housing finance;

• Supported discussions on solar-home financing and encouraged appropriate incentives and implementation mechanisms to encourage developers to integrate solar technologies.

8. Strengthened SHDA’s industry visibility and representation

SHDA increased its visibility as a representative of the housing development sector through participation in major industry events and media.

• Participated in WORLDBEX 2026 and other construction/real estate industry activities;

• SHDA officers participated in national housing and real estate conventions and forums;

• SHDA National President Kerwin Padua and Chief Marketing Officer Regina Hahn Siy appeared on ANC’s “The Boardroom,” where they discussed SHDA’s gains in ease of doing business, housing permitting and licensing, affordable housing, balanced housing compliance, and the challenges and opportunities facing developers;

• SHDA also actively prepared for its 34th National Developers Convention, positioned as a platform for collaboration and strategic housing innovations.

The author is the executive director of SHDA

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