The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that will harmonize all the efforts to provide decent shelters to poor and low-income earning Filipino families especially those living in Metro Manila and other urban areas.
DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said the TWG is composed of representatives from Urban Poor Action Committee (UPAC) National Housing Authority and Social Housing Finance Corporation and was tasked to craft measures for immediate implementation of programs that will make public housing more accessible to the underserviced sectors, particularly the urban poor.
“The creation of this TWG was in response to the clamor of urban poor groups. It will primarily focus on issues that remain unresolved for decades now. I can see complexities on the concerns but by uniting and helping each other, we can find ways to appropriately address gaps in the sector,” said Acuzar.
The priorities, according to Acuzar, were informal settler families and residents living near danger zones especially in river banks and coastal areas.
During its first meeting Thursday, the TWG tackled UPAC’s People’s Plan which proposes a more participative and solution-based housing plan involving the beneficiaries from planning to program sustainability plans.
“We also see challenges on the implementation of previously issued presidential proclamations and NHA housing projects. But with this TWG and our working relationship with involved agencies, we can tell that concrete solutions are underway,” assured Secretary Acuzar.
Earlier this year, the housing czar engaged leaders and members of UPAC in an open dialogue to tackle concerns of different urban poor organizations and align their recommendations to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program.
UPAC which represents 205,000 families from various groups, headed by lead facilitator Alice Murphy, vowed to work closely with the government to properly implement any approved provisions under 4PH.