Philippines — Housing development is entering a period when builders have to respond not only to demand for homes, but also to changing expectations about how communities should work.
That conversation will take center stage on September 16 and 17, when the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) holds its 34th National Developers Convention at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
This year’s gathering carries the theme “Elevate: Sustaining Progress through Collaboration and Strategic Housing Innovations.” More than a traditional industry conference, the two-day event is designed to bring developers, government agencies, financial institutions, researchers, planners, and other housing-sector partners into the same room to discuss what needs to change as the market evolves.
For Filipino homebuyers, many of those discussions have a direct connection to everyday life. The policies governing land, utilities, financing, construction, and community planning ultimately influence where homes are built, how much they cost, and what residents can expect from their neighborhoods.
Among the major subjects on the program is the Housing Roadmap developed through research led by University of Asia and the Pacific former president Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, together with SHDA and other housing organizations. The roadmap is intended to help stakeholders examine the direction of the sector and identify areas where coordinated action can make housing delivery more responsive.
The convention will also look at the changing profile of Filipino buyers. Philippine Survey Research Center Executive Director Cristina Reyes is set to discuss consumer preferences and the expectations of the next generation of homeowners. Philippine Institute of Development Studies Vice President Dr. Marife Ballesteros will likewise bring research-based perspectives on market demand.
The emphasis on people and communities extends beyond housing transactions. Joy~Nostalg Group Raemulan Lands Founder and Group Executive Officer Jacinto C. Ng., Jr. will discuss initiatives involving renewable energy and community transformation, highlighting how partnerships can influence the long-term character of developments.
Government policy will form another major part of the program. Sen. JV Ejercito will address legislative directions involving urban planning, housing, and resettlement. Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Social Development Staff Director Girlie Grace Casimiro-Igtiben will discuss economic priorities and their relationship with the housing sector.
Other sessions will focus on practical issues that developers regularly encounter. Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Atty. Larry Barcelo will provide tax updates, while Anti-Red Tape Authority Deputy Director General Dr. Lea Grace Salcedo will discuss efforts to simplify government processes. Pag-IBIG Fund Business Development Head Fermin Sta. Teresa, Jr. will highlight financing partnerships and offerings for developers.
Land and basic services will also receive attention. Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board Member III Asec. Atty. Rolando S. Cua will discuss regulatory and legal matters affecting housing development, including land conversion and clearance. National Water Resources Board Executive Director Dr. Sevillo David, Jr. will tackle regulations concerning private-sector access to water resources.
Infrastructure sessions will broaden the conversation to electricity, solid waste management, and telecommunications—services that can determine whether a new community is practical and sustainable in the long run.
SHDA Assistant Corporate Secretary and 2026 Convention Overall Chair Clarissa De Joya said the goal is for delegates to leave with practical strategies for navigating property-development processes and responding to changing buyer preferences.
SHDA Chairman Engr. Francis Richmond Z. Villegas emphasized the association’s role in working with government and industry partners, while SHDA National President Kerwin V. Padua said the organization hopes to turn convention discussions into concrete actions that benefit both the industry and Filipino families.
Day two will shift toward market intelligence, demographic changes, creative thinking, and community design. GIGIL Founding Partner Badong Abesamis, Plus 63 and Hydra Design Group Co-Founder and President Dan Matutina, and PGAA Creative Design Principal and Founder Archt. Paulo Alcazaren are among the speakers bringing perspectives beyond conventional development discussions.
A key expected outcome is the adoption of Convention Resolutions, which will consolidate recommendations from the two-day discussions and provide guidance for stakeholders working on housing policies and programs.
The event will also include an evening Fellowship Night on September 16, giving delegates opportunities to build professional relationships and explore partnerships across the housing value chain.
Registration remains open to SHDA members and non-member property industry stakeholders through shda.ph/natcon-2026/ or the SHDA secretariat.
About SHDA
The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. is a national industry association representing housing and development companies in the Philippines. With 350 members and eight regional chapters, SHDA has worked with housing policymakers, shelter agencies, and industry stakeholders for more than 50 years. Its members account for about 80% of homes produced annually in the country.
Visit SHDA’s website for more information, https://shda.ph/.