The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has activated a technical working group (TWG) to harmonize efforts in providing decent shelters to more Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged in collaboration with the Urban Poor Action Committee.
“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,” Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.
The TWG composed of member-representatives from the DHSUD, UPAC, the National Housing Authority and the Social Housing Finance Corp. aims to craft measures for immediate implementation of programs that will make public housing more accessible to the underserviced sectors, especially the urban poor. Rio N. Araja
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,” Acuzar said.
He earlier engaged leaders and members of UPAC in an open dialogue to take up concerns of different urban poor organizations and align their recommendations to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program. Rio N. Araja