The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has put more teeth into its war against real-estate scammers through an inter-agency panel to take the lead in the campaign.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario spearheaded the launch of the National Task Force on Anti-Illegal Real Estate Practice, along with representatives from member agencies, through Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 of 2021.
“This is a testament to our partnership as we synchronize our efforts to end the fraudulent activities in the housing and real estate industry, hence, protecting homebuyers and helping them in the realization of their dream to acquire decent and affordable homes using their hard-earned money and lifetime savings,” he said.
The task force is composed of DHSUD, the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Registration Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation to end illegal real-estate transactions employing proactive measures.
“DHSUD accepts the challenge to take the lead in this campaign as we fulfill our mandate to protect the rights of buyers of subdivisions and condominium projects, including memorial lots and similar real estate developments,” the housing czar said in a statement.
“Each of our partner agencies also has a crucial role in the implementation of a comprehensive program to sufficiently address the various and prevalent corrupt real estate practices we now face,” he added.
Mounting complaints of rising cases of illegal real-estate practices led to the creation of the task force.