WHILE investors on condominium projects keep pouring in Davao City, mass housing projects here remain steadfast.
Mass housing giant developer 8990 Housing Development Corporation (HDC) continues to invest in the city, which has been the center for business and education in Mindanao, due to the great demand for housing units.
The 8990 HDC, owner of the DECA Homes brand, already housed a total of 14,797 home buyers from its five Davao City projects since 2006: DECA Homes Davao in Cabantian (1,696 house and lot units), DECA Homes Resort Residences in Barangay Tacunan, Tugbok District (7,141), DECA Homes Esperanza (2,072), DECA Homes Indangan (3, 239) and DECA Homes Catalunan Grande (649).
Its ongoing project DECA Homes Mulig in Toril District has a proposed 1,894 units. Upcoming projects DECA Homes Talomo and DECA Homes Tigatto will have 5,984 and 2,853 units, respectively.
Mary Ann Tacay Chua, general manager of 8990 HDC, said, “More buyers invest in mass housing as it offers bigger lot area for car parking and gardening and bigger floor area where a family can hold recreational activities.”
“A mass housing unit is more affordable and gives buyer the chance to own a house with a concept of as if renting but actually owning, not to mention the insurances incorporated in the monthly obligation which protects the buyer and the property itself,” Chua told SunStar Davao.
She added that since mass housing units are usually located away from the hustle and bustle of the city, families can truly relax at home and enjoy the fresh air.
Chua also said that Dabawenyos may not easily adapt to the condo lifestyle, thus, their preference for mass housing units although the latter’s edge is its affordability and bigger size.
Robinson Ninal, Jr., a former photojournalist in Davao City and is already working at the Presidential Photographers Division in Malacanang, also got his family a unit at DECA Homes Mulig.
“Nagkuha mi og DECA kay forever ma imo ang house og lot then dunay privacy (We acquired a DECA Homes unit as it could be ours and we can have privacy),” he said.
However, with the ballooning housing backlog in the country, both mass housing and condominium development projects are crucial in addressing the problem.