DILG-NCR conducts activity on local shelter and resettlement plans
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has conducted a training activity for local government units (LGU)in the National Capital Region (NCR) to capacitate local officials in functionaries pertaining to the guidelines covering the crafting of a Local Shelter Plan (LSP) and a Resettlement and Relocation Action Plan (RRAP).
Mary Ann F. Policarpio, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Public Housing and Settlements Division of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), said the housing provided by the key shelter agencies should be tied to the financial capacity of the stakeholders.
“We should always remember that when providing socialized housing for our target stakeholders, the best housing is one that the stakeholders can afford and maintain given their current financial status, and one that will give them an improved standard of living,” Policarpio said.
She made the pronouncement when the subject of acceptability of housing to the stakeholders was discussed.
Policarpio also highlighted the importance of the inter-agency planning, coordination and awareness of each institution’s projects and programs that pertain to the housing and relocation and resettlement of target beneficiaries.
Another resource person, Christine P. Firmalino, of the Department Manager of the Resettlement and Development Services Department of the National Housing Authority (NHA), discussed the rationale behind the creation of the RRAP, its basic policy and program considerations, and the technical processes involved in its formulation, including the strategic planning tools utilized for RRAP, among others.
She echoed Policarpio’s sentiment regarding the process of formulating the LSP and RRAP, in that complex processes and multiple planning perspectives should be considered in order to come up with an acceptable plan.
"This necessitates putting strong inter-agency relationships at the forefront of any undertaking of this nature," said Firmalino.
The event was conducted on Aug. 16 and 17 the representatives from various LGUs citing the DILG-NCR and the resource speakers for sharing their technical expertise on LSP and RRAP. (Chito A. Chavez)