Human Settlements Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said that even the slightest trace of corruption should not be tolerated, noting the need for both government and private sector cooperation in ensuring transparency and accountability.

Speaking at the Housing Summit organized by the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) in Quezon City on Tuesday, Aliling said that eliminating corruption in the housing sector would contribute significantly to national development, in line with the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Even 1 percent of corruption is unacceptable. Both the private sector and the government should work together to achieve zero corruption in the housing sector,” he said, according to a news release on Wednesday.

He urged stakeholders to show that the housing industry could serve as a model of integrity and transparency, and support the President’s campaign against corruption.

In his first 90 days in office, the chief of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) introduced reforms under the agency’s eight-point agenda, consistent with the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas governance framework.

These reforms include a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, streamlining of processes, digitalization, and the recalibration and expansion of the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

The initiatives have gained support from stakeholders, with at least 42 private developers committing to deliver more than 250,000 housing units under the Expanded 4PH Program.

Various urban poor groups and civil society organizations have also been engaged under the department’s participative approach.

Aliling’s remarks come as investigations continue on alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood control projects, where the President himself discovered “ghost” and substandard projects during inspections.

“It’s a matter of political will. Tulungan po natin ang ating Pangulong Marcos Jr. na labanan ang katiwalian upang tuluyan na tayong umunlad (Let us help President Marcos Jr. fight corruption so that we can finally achieve progress),” he said. (PNA)