Habitat for Humanity Philippines, DHSUD facilitate virtual orientation-workshop
(MANILA, May 18, 2021) Scaling up efforts and forging partnerships to address the housing need in Negros Occidental, key local government housing officers convene to boost their shelter plans through a virtual orientation-workshop initiated by Habitat for Humanity Philippines in partnership with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Happening from May 18 to 20, 2021, this orientation-workshop aims to review the shelter planning process and share best practices in developing comprehensive, effective housing programs. Representatives from DHSUD and other housing agencies will serve as resource speakers.
“In order to achieve our housing target, we need the cooperation of multi-national and local governments in coordination with the private sector. Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ efforts to organize and facilitate this review-workshop on the local shelter plan is not only timely but equally laudable to identify, assess, and address housing concerns in all cities and municipalities nationwide,” said DHSUD Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario, hoping that this event will support the LGUs in the submission and approval of their local shelter plans.
Insightful discussions will focus on the context, formulation, and lessons learned in shelter planning, funding and partnership opportunities for housing, and accessing the balanced housing compliance, with the end goal of encouraging LGUs to engage, collaborate, and develop socialized housing projects for low-income and informal settler families.
“If we are to address the housing problem, we need to address it seriously and thoroughly. I am just glad that it is exactly what this event aims to achieve, by providing not just shelters but holistic and sustainable communities that shall promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development,” remarked Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, strongly encouraging the LGUs to partner and participate in housing projects.
The workshop will also highlight the Negros Occidental Impact 2025 (NOI25), a flagship housing project spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity that aims to build 10,000 housing units using Hilti Foundation’s Cement Frame Bamboo Technology. Through the Leadership Coalition, which comprises 14 institutions with diverse networks and expertise including BASE Bahay Foundation, NOI25 is envisioned as a catalyst to support LGUs in creating sustainable resettlement programs and promoting affordable, disaster-resilient, eco-friendly housing solutions.
“Negros Occidental Impact 2025 is an empowering public-private-people partnership project that leverages government and other multi-sector resources to advance on the access to land and funding to create sustainable communities. Vulnerable families will have access to affordable housing and benefit from good housing quality, availability of financing, site development and city planning, and community cohesion,” said Luis Noda, Asia-Pacific Vice President for Habitat for Humanity International.
The pilot location for the NOI25 Project is in Silay City where 534 houses are being built and more will be constructed in San Carlos and other cities and municipalities across the province. The Leadership Coalition endeavors to fast-track, strengthen, and broaden the implementation and calls for the Negros Occidental LGUs to participate by submitting their proposals until June 30, 2021.
About Habitat for Humanity Philippines
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has since become a leading global non-profit working in nearly 70 countries. In the Philippines since 1988, Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 150,000 families have safe and decent home, built and empowered over 200 communities nationwide, and supported over 400,000 households to improve their homes through financial services. Through donating, volunteering, or advocating for affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.ph.
About the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is the national government agency responsible for the management of human settlements and urban development in the Philippines. DHSUD was passed into law on 14 February 2019 consolidating the duties and functions of the former Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). Together with its attached corporations and adjudication body, DHSUD spearheads the overall direction of the housing sector in the Philippines through its BALAI Program which aims to Build Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive Filipino Communities. Learn more about DHSUD’s programs and initiatives by visiting www.dhsud.gov.ph.
About the Negros Occidental Impact 2025 Project
In 2019, Habitat for Humanity and the Hilti Foundation forged a partnership to bring the utilization of disaster-resilient Cement Frame Bamboo Technology to scale and help address the housing gap in Negros Occidental. Dubbed as the Negros Occidental Impact 2025 (NOI25), the project aims to build 10,000 housing units in sustainable communities that are clean, green, safe, disaster-resilient, and progressive where families enjoy security in their homes. To learn more about NOI25, visit https://www.habitat.org.ph/noi25/.
