The second housing conference of the National Real Estate Association (NREA) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) drew attention to the housing needs of returning overseas Filipinos, emphasizing the importance of accessible and affordable housing for returning Filipinos and their families. Held on March 7, 2025, in Makati, the conference gathered around 400 participants, including local officials, real estate professionals, and industry experts.
Under the theme "Fostering Innovations, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth in Philippine Real Estate," the event focused on key housing policies, real estate regulations, and sustainable urban development. Panel discussions addressed topics such as strengthening local governance in housing construction, the contribution of overseas Filipinos to real estate, and the need for updated regulations, emphasizing collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing housing issues.
Speaking at the event, OFW party representative Marissa Del Mar MagSignin stated that migrants, contributing millions of dollars to the country in the form of remittances, should have equal opportunities to ensure their families have access to decent housing. "In cooperation with interested parties, we continue to strengthen our initiatives to guarantee that no OFW or their family will be left behind upon returning to their homeland and reintegrating into society," she said.
The dual conference underscored the importance of sustainable and inclusive real estate development, with experts from the Pag-IBIG Fund, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Council on Money Laundering, and other key institutions sharing ideas on creating sustainable communities. NREA Chair Imelda Magtoto deemed the event successful, noting that it facilitated substantive discussions that would help shape the future of the Philippine real estate sector.
NREA and DHSUD reaffirmed their obligation to address housing problems and promote a more inclusive and innovative real estate industry.
