HLURB reconstituted as HSAC

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) has been reconstituted as the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) and retained the former’s adjudicatory function by virtue of Republic Act No. 11201.

However, the HSAC does not have a regulatory function like the HLURB since it is now vested with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) according to HSAC Regional Adjudication Branch-Cordillera Atty. V Lehi Gacadan in a media forum, May 17, at City Hall.

While the DHSUD acts as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlements and urban development, he said HSAC is a purely quasi-judicial body tasked to adjudicate disputes involving real estate developments, homeowners associations, and appeals from decisions of local and regional planning and zoning bodies.

Gacadan said the HSAC is attached to the DHSUD for policy, planning and program coordination only.

Cases that fall under the HSAC’s jurisdiction include those involving subdivisions, condominiums, memorial parks, and similar real estate developments; homeowners associations; and disputes involving the implementation of Section 18 or RA 7279, as amended.

Also included are disputes or controversies involving laws and regulations implemented by the DHSUD not falling within the jurisdiction of other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies; and appeals from decisions of local and regional planning and zoning bodies.

“In the performance of its functions, the HSAC is guided by the Constitutional provision that affords all persons the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies,” he stressed.

The HSAC Cordillera office is located at 2/F King’s Court Pension House, No. 31 Rimando Road, Baguio City. HSAC Email address: info@hsac.gov.ph while its Public Affairs Division contact nos. 09478826297/ 09569231912. – Gaby B. Keith