CITY HOUSING AND URBAN SETTLEMENTS DEPARMENT
On November 24, 2014, by virtue of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 534, City Ordinance No. 13 or “AN ORDINANCE CREATING THE CITY HOUSING AND URBAN SETTLEMENTS DEPARTMENT (CHUSD) DEFINING ITS COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,” the department was formally created.
In 2024, pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991 and the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, the CHUSD was able to perform and fulfill its main thrust of undertaking comprehensive and continuing Urban Development and Housing Program aimed at uplifting the conditions of the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas and in resettlement areas, by making available to them, decent housing at affordable cost, basic services and employment opportunities and provide for the rational use and development of urban land.
The department was able to maintain completely its three remaining divisions and continued to pool competitive and reliable staff: (1) the Administrative and Records Division; (2) the Technical Planning and Development Division; and (3) the Community Affairs and Development Division. By the start of 2025, the CHUSD already had a total of 18 permanent employees (2 of whom are detailed in other CGC departments), headed by Engr. Redentor A. Reyes, Jr., has served as the Department Head of the unit since its inception in 2014.
The City Housing and Urban Settlements Department permanent and non-permanent (NP) employees:
(From left to right) (Driver II) Nelson Y. Carpio, (Admin. Asst. I) Mark Lester Y. Lozano, Construction & Maintenance Capataz Domingo A. Lagsac, Construction and Maintenance Foreman Elpidio A. Bautista, Admin. Aide IV Emely S. Cueto, Administrative Aide I Harold M. Masongsong, Administrative Aide II Mellany L. Dayrit, Administrative Officer III Janvee P. Goco, Engineer II Engr. Erik Christian R. Castillo, Engineer I Aimee S. Manalo, City Housing & Urban Settlements Officer Engr. Redentor A. Reyes, Jr., Administrative Officer III Gracieta S. Selda, Administrative Aide IV (Reproduction Machine Operator II) Florence V. Mendoza, Admin. Asst. III Ramil A. Cueto, Administrative Aide IV Michel P. Abela, and Local Assessment Operation Officer IV (Detailed from City Assessor Dept.) Richilieu A. Gozar
With great hope, unity, and the collaborative efforts of its staff, the CHUSD has endeavored to carry out its mandates in providing not only housing opportunities to clients but also a wide array of services that the department was tasked to deliver.
The following were achieved by the CHUSD from January to July 2025:
I. MAJOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
HOPE (Housing Opportunities towards People Empowerment) PROGRAM
The City Housing and Urban Settlements Department continued to support and open its doors to countless needy Calapeños, particularly by providing housing opportunities and other related services through the program HOPE, or Housing Opportunities towards People Empowerment. Under the program are four projects that the department diligently implemented:
- Slum Improvement Key to Poverty Alleviation Program (SIKAP) – under this program, the department aimed to develop hectares of land that will serve as housing/resettlement/relocation sites for needy Calapeños; and reduce doubled-up and displaced households through (1) Resettlement and Relocation Projects. Under SIKAP, the department also aspired to facilitate access to employment and income-generating activities of household beneficiaries through (2) Livelihood Programs. By facilitating (3) Infrastructure Support, the unit endeavored the upgrade of existing or provided access roads, drainage system, potable water, and sanitation facilities to households; ensured proper garbage disposal and encouraged structural upgrading of dilapidated, condemned, and houses needing major repairs. In coordination with and by providing support to other City Government of Calapan Departments and Offices, the CHUSD also provided access to (4) Basic Social Services to Calapeños. Also, through the Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP), the CHUSD aimed to provide assistance to informal settler families and develop a partnership with the DSWD in the implementation of the said program.
2. LUpang Abot-Kaya at murang PAbahay Program (LUPA) – through this program, the department acted as the (1) Community Mortgage Program (CMP) Originator / Mobilizer that identifies private lands qualified for CMP, applies for accreditation in the localized CMP, and provides technical assistance to homeowners’ associations. Under LUPA, the CHUSD also endeavored to develop hectares of land for employees’ housing projects and foster connections with financing agencies, including Pag-IBIG Fund, GSIS, banks, and other financing housing projects.
3. Housing Moving for Excellence (HOME) Program – Through dialogues, coordination and consultation with various organizations and government agencies such as DAR, DENR, BIR, LMB, LRA, and the Register of Deeds, the CHUSD was able to serve and support Calapeño-beneficiaries under the (1) Land Tenure Assistance Program, (2) Land Titling and Distribution Program, (3) Community Organizing and Capacity Development, (4) Pro-active Land Banking, and (5) Collaborative Housing Governance.
