PHILIPPINES — Anthony Leuterio, founder of Filipinohomes and president of A Better Real Estate Philippines, is escalating his campaign for transparency at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. In June 2026, he demanded the agency immediately publish License to Sell data for the past six months, broken down by region. The call follows months of criticism over processing delays.
Leuterio argues that without public data, there can be no accountability. ABREP estimates over 10,000 housing units in Cebu alone remain stalled awaiting LTS approval. DHSUD Region 7 has disputed the figure, stating only two applications are pending. The standoff highlights a fundamental disagreement over the scale of the problem and the lack of shared, verifiable data.
A Crisis That Demands Numbers
Leuterio's core demand is simple: make the backlog visible. He wants DHSUD to disclose how many LTS applications were filed, approved, denied, or remain pending, along with reasons for every delay. This follows a June 11 interview where he urged the agency to release regional performance data. Without it, he argues, developers and buyers operate blind.
The housing sector has formally raised its concerns with a Senate committee, criticizing the centralization of approvals and lack of clarity on documentary requirements. The Commission on Audit has also flagged DHSUD for miscalculating housing compliance obligations. Industry groups warn that delays are shrinking available inventory in the P3 million to P6 million range favored by OFWs.
Digitalization Promises vs. Practical Deadlines
DHSUD has outlined a digitalization roadmap targeting fully digitized processes by 2028, along with the PLANADO program for data‑driven land use plans. Leuterio dismisses these as "vague promises," demanding a concrete timeline with clear milestones and a named, accountable implementing team. He argues that a fully digital LTS system would eliminate the "invisible backlog" caused by opaque deficiency notices.
The agency has partnered with LandBank to integrate online payment systems and reports that some FOI requests for LTS data have been processed. However, the lack of a publicly accessible, real‑time LTS dashboard remains a central friction point. DHSUD has acknowledged that an internal audit found many pending applications had stalled at the regional level.
The Stakes: A 6.5‑Million‑Unit Backlog
The dispute over LTS approvals unfolds against a national housing shortage that DHSUD pegs at 6.5 million units. Leuterio warns the backlog could balloon to 13 million by 2040 if current trends continue. The 4PH program's initial target of one million units annually has been reduced to 13,354 for 2026 due to budget and capacity constraints.
Annual household formation runs at roughly 478,000, yet housing production consistently falls below 130,000 units per year. For Leuterio, faster LTS approvals are not a bureaucratic convenience but a structural necessity. ABREP's advocacy positions data transparency as the foundation for any meaningful reform.
