Gov’t launches plan to build better cities

Government through the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) has adopted an action plan that will pave the way for the development of the country’s urban areas into sustainable cities.

The National Action Agenda for Good Urban Governance and Secure Tenure, dubbed "Bahanggunihanan", will put into operation the National Urban Development and Housing Framework that was drafted back in 2000 but has yet to be fully implemented.

The five-point plan advocated by Bahanggunihanan includes: empowered people organizations and barangay governance, access to quality and affordable housing and basic services, rational use of land resources, effective urban development and management and strengthened and institutionalized Philippine Urban Forum.

HUDCC Chairman Michael T. Defensor said that Bahanggunihan will boost government’s implementation of the policy framework laid out by NUDHF which has served as the housing sector’s guided in carrying out the shelter agenda.

"The housing program under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made a big progress in providing secure tenure to more informal settlers. This action plan will further consolidate and rationalize our efforts in housing and urban development, and in improving the lives of urban poor families" Defensor said.

Forty million, or 52 percent, of the Philippine’s 76 million population live in urban areas, with rapid urbanization leading to the rise of congested slums where settlers suffer from poor living conditions.

Bahanggunihanan, which is the product of a series of consultations done separately on the twin campaigns of good urban governance and secure tenure, "is the government’s response to this situation," Defensor explained.

Local government heads deliberated on the norms of good urban governance to serve as basis for their city action plans, while POs and NGOs defined the directions and elements of the secure tenure campaign.

"Bahanggunihanan, represents the convergence of the two campaigns through the efforts of national government agencies, the private sector and other partners," Defensor further said.

The plan has been prepared by the Philippine Urban Forum (PUF) with the technical assistance of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Development Programme.

A package of proposed bankable projects in support of the action agenda has also been prepared.

Secretary Defensor also led the formal adoption ceremonies for Bahanggunihanan, held in conjunction with the PUF Donors’ Forum at the Mandarin International Hotel in Makati yesterday.