SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. - The Department shall exercise the following powers and functions:
I. Policy Development, Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation
(a) Formulate a national housing and urban development policies, strategies and standards that are consistent with the Philippine Development Plan to promote social and economic welfare, in coordination and in consultation with national and local stakeholders, local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies;
(b) Formulate housing finance and production policies, recommend and facilitate the development of mechanisms that promote the establishment of a self-sustaining housing finance and housing delivery systems in coordination with the relevant agencies;
(c) Formulate housing policies and programs, such as public housing, in coordination with the attached agencies, for the homeless and underprivileged families;
(d) Conduct continuing and comprehensive studies and research necessary for housing and urban development;
(e) Formulate a framework for resilient housing and human settlements as a basis for the mechanisms for post-disaster housing and resiliency planning, research and development, extension, monitoring and evaluation of programs, projects and activities to protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of climate change and disasters; and
(f) In the exercise of its oversight functions, develop and establish a sector performance monitoring and assessment mechanism to accurately and independently report on the performance of national government agencies and LGUs involved in the housing and urban development.
II. Environmental, Land Use and Urban Planning and Development
(a) Develop and maintain a shelter and urban development management, standards and monitoring information system which shall include, but not be limited to, the following data sets: inventory of idle lands, CLUPs, inventory of housing stocks, and list of beneficiaries: Provided, That notwithstanding this provision, all existing CLUPs duly approved and being implemented by the LGUs shall remain in full force and effect for the duration of the period as stated therein: Provided, further, That upon enactment of this Act, LGUs may improve, amend and enhance their existing CLUPs in accordance with the standards set by the Department;
(b) Provide technical assistance to provinces, cities and municipalities in building their capability to undertake housing and urban development and management, such as, but not limited to: creating a Local Housing Board (LHB) or similar entity; formulating CLUPs and local shelter plans (LSPs); and strengthening local government compliance with housing and urban development laws, standards and guidelines;
(c) Assist the LGUs in the utilization of the socialized housing tax, as provided in Section 43 of Republic Act No. 7279, and other sources of funds for housing which shall be exclusively used for new settlement projects, and other housing, urban development and renewal projects;
(d) Own and administer government-owned lands, whether owned by the national government or any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities, or agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and their subsidiaries, which have not been used for the purpose for which they have been originally reserved or set aside for at least ten (10) years and identified by the Department as suitable for urban development, particularly for housing purposes: Provided, That the lands held in trust by the GOCCs for and on behalf of their members shall be excluded from the coverage hereof;
(e) Formulate and prescribe land use planning and zoning standards and regulations for the guidance of cities and municipalities in the formulation of their respective CLUPs; and
(f) Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the establishment of government centers in the country.
III. Housing and Real Estate Development Regulation
(a) Develop mechanisms and implement programs, in coordination with attached agencies and concerned agencies, that will initiate and promote the establishment of estate and new towns, new settlements, urban renewal programs, and prototypes of housing and urban development interventions, including the people's plan approach, while encouraging the participation therein of local government partnerships with civil society organizations, nongovernment organizations, private groups and communities;
(b) Manage and oversee the development of proclaimed socialized and economic housing sites, including the use of these land assets as resource mobilization strategy to raise alternative resources in developing new housing projects and efficient financing programs, either by itself or through its attached agencies;
(c) Implement a single regulatory System that shall govern all activities relative to the planning, production, marketing, and management of housing and urban development projects; and
(d) Take over unfinished, incomplete or abandoned licensed real estate development projects under Presidential Decree No. 957, in coordination with the appropriate government agencies and instrumentalities, under such guidelines as may be formulated. Further, the Department shall be in charge of regulating the use of road and street systems of projects taken over under this provisions.
IV. Homeowners Association and Community Development
(a) Register, regulate and supervise the homeowners associations (HOAs) in subdivision projects and government housing projects;
(b) Provide technical assistance to encourage housing cooperatives and civil society organizations to serve as the implementing agencies of their housing and urban development programs;
(c) Promote and encourage partnerships between the government and private sectors for the provision of decent housing, suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities specially for the homeless and underprivileged citizens; and
(d) Effect and oversee a single regulatory system that shall govern all activities relative to the planning, development, production, marketing, and management of housing and urban development projects, without encroaching on the jurisdiction of other agencies.
V. General Powers
(a) Enter into contracts, joint venture agreements or understanding, public-private partnerships, and memoranda of agreement or understanding, either domestic or foreign, under such terms and conditions as the Department may deem proper and reasonable subject to existing laws;
(b) Receive, take and hold by bequest, device, gift, purchase or lease, either absolutely or in trust for any of its purposes from foreign and domestic sources, any asset, grant or property, real or personal, subject to such limitations provided under existing laws and regulations;
(c) Discharge all responsibilities of government that may arise from treaties, agreements and other commitments on human settlement and urban development to be extended through bilateral or multilateral loans and/or assistance programs;
(d) Determine, fix and collect reasonable amounts to be charged as fees and charges necessary for the effective implementation of all laws, rules and regulations enforced by the Department and impose reasonable fines and penalties for violation thereof: Provided, however, That all income generated from fees, fines, charges, and other collections shall be deposited with the National Treasury as income of the general fund;
(e) Recommend new legislation and amendments to existing laws as may be necessary for the attainment of government's objectives in housing;
(f) Promote, accredit and regulate the use of indigenous materials and technologies in the housing construction;
(g) Implement prototype projects in housing and urban development undertakings, with the right to exercise the power of eminent domain, when necessary;
(h) Open roads of subdivisions to the public when the general welfare requires it upon consultation with stakeholders; and
(i) Perform such other related functions as may be mandated by law.