DMCI Project Developers Inc., the real estate arm of Consunji-led DMCI Holdings Inc., is rolling out its first socialized housing project to comply with national regulations requiring real estate developers to provide affordable homes for the public. The initiative aligns with mandates from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, making it a necessary step rather than a tax-driven incentive, with the company choosing to build directly instead of paying the required fees for non-compliance.
Alfredo R. Austria, president of DMCI Project Developers, said the first phase will deliver around 4,000 units housed in four to five 18-storey buildings, with roughly 800 units per structure. Each unit will measure between 20 and 27 square meters, and the 27-square-meter model is priced at P1.8 million, meeting the threshold set to qualify under the socialized housing program. Austria explained that the law obliges developers of residential subdivisions and condominiums to set aside a portion of their project cost or area for socialized housing—15 percent for subdivisions and 5 percent for condominium developments—and that non-compliance means paying fees in lieu of actual construction. Instead of those payments, the company opted to deliver the housing itself, though it faces the key challenge of keeping costs within reach while maintaining build quality.
“We really have to sharpen our pencils to reach that price,” Austria said, noting that the design process involves repeated revisions to balance cost efficiency with standards. The team drafts a design, calculates its cost, and revises it repeatedly if estimates exceed targets, a process that has been underway for several months as the company prioritizes both quality and affordability. Even with cost constraints, Austria emphasized the project will retain features that set DMCI apart, including generous open spaces and the same resort-style environment seen in its earlier condominium developments, marking a distinct approach within the socialized housing segment.
