
	Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)

	National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)

	www.senate.gov.ph

	www.kabayannoli.com

SPEECH OF VICE PRESIDENT NOLI DE CASTRO

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION, INC.

“AN EVENING WITH FRIENDS OF HABITAT”

THE CONSERVATORY, MANILA PENINSULA

8 NOVEMBER 2005, 7:30 PM

GOOD EVENING. MAGANDANG GABI PO SA INYONG LAHAT.

IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE INVITED TO THIS GATHERING OF FRIENDS OF HABITAT. I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE COUNTED AMONG YOUR FRIENDS.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS MORE THAN AN ORGANIZATION THAT TRANSFORMS SLUMS INTO SAFE AND DECENT COMMUNITIES. IT IS A GLOBAL PHENOMENON OF FAITH AND COOPERATION AT WORK, MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE POOR AND THE HOMELESS AROUND THE WORLD.

HOUSING THE POOR

HOUSING THE POOR IS A REAL CONCERN THAT THE ENTIRE WORLD RECOGNIZES -- WHICH IS WHY IT IS ONE OF THE GOALS THAT WORLD LEADERS HAVE AGREED TO ADDRESS IN THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

IN THE PHILIPPINES, THAT REALITY CONFRONTS US EVERYDAY, ESPECIALLY HERE IN METRO MANILA AND OTHER HIGHLY-URBANIZED CITIES.

NOT FAR FROM WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES LIVING ALONG THE RAILWAY, ON THE BANKS OF ESTEROS, UNDER THE BRIDGES, ON SIDEWALKS, ON LOTS THEY DO NOT OWN -- AND IN STRUCTURES THAT CANNOT RIGHTLY BE CALLED HOUSES.

THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE

I’M SURE THE MEMBERS, AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PHILIPPINES KNOW THE PLIGHT OF THESE FAMILIES VERY WELL—LIVING IN CRAMPED, SUBSTANDARD HOUSES, IN URBAN SLUMS WITH NO ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION, HEALTH CENTERS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER NECESSARY SERVICES AND FACILITIES.

THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM, NOT JUST TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THESE FAMILIES, BUT TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. THAT IS WHY HOUSING REMAINS HIGH IN OUR PRIORITY LIST.

HOUSING STRATEGIES

THE MEDIUM TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOMENT PLAN FOR SHELTER CLEARLY OUTLINES THE POLICIES AND PROJECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE NATIONAL SHELTER PROGRAM BOTH FOR FORMAL AND INFORMAL HOUSING.

FOR 2005 TO 2010, THE HOUSING SECTOR AIMS TO PROVIDE SHELTER SECURITY AND DECENT HOUSING TO SOME ONE MILLION FAMILIES. TOP PRIORITY GOES TO THE POOREST OF THE POOR, WITH 68 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL TARGET ALLOCATED TO SOCIALIZED HOUSING.

WE HAVE FORMULATED FOUR GENERAL STRATEGIES TO MEET THIS TARGET.

FIRST, WE WILL EXPAND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCING OF SOCIALIZED HOUSING UNITS.

HUDCC CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS TO CREATE A MORE “INVESTMENT-FRIENDLY” ENVIRONMENT IN THE HOUSING SECTOR, TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN PROVIDING SHELTER FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

SECOND, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORMAL AND INFORMAL SECTORS, AND TO DECONGEST METRO MANILA.

ONE OF THE PRIORITY PROJECTS OF THE HOUSING SECTOR TODAY IS THE RELOCATION OF FAMILIES LIVING ALONG THE NORTH RAIL LINE.

THIS IS BEING DONE IN PREPARATION FOR THE REHABILITATION AND MODERNIZATION OF THE RAILWAY SYSTEM TO THE NORTH, WHICH WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANILA-CLARK-SUBIC TRIANGLE. BY CREATING NEW DEVELOPMENT FOCAL POINTS IN LUZON, WE CAN BEGIN THE TASK OF DECONGESTING METRO MANILA.

HUDCC, WITH THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, IS LEADING THE RELOCATION OF THE NORTH RAIL SETTLERS TO THE RESETTLEMENT SITES, WHICH WE CALL THE NORTHVILLE COMMUNITIES. OUR VISION FOR NORTH RAIL IS TO TURN IT INTO A MODEL RELOCATION PROJECT. AND WITH THE HELP OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS INVOLVED, I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT VISION. I ENCOURAGE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO VISIT OUR NORTHVILLE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO EXTEND SUPPORT TO THE RELOCATED FAMILIES AND MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE AS THEY START A NEW LIFE.

WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING THE CAMPAIGN FOR SECURE HOUSING TENURE THROUGH PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATIONS, WHICH DECLARE GOVERNMENT-OWNED LANDS AS SOCIALIZED HOUSING SITES.

WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SCALE UP PROVEN MULTI-STAKEHOLDER AND COST-EFFECTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE IMPLEMENTED BY THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. I HAVE VISITED A PROJECT WHICH WE JOINTLY IMPLEMENTED – THE DREAMLANDS HEIGHTS IN SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA –- A COMMUNITY MORTGAGE PROGRAM BEING PURSUED WITH THE SUPPORT OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

OUR THIRD STRATEGY IS TO CONTINUE STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE HOUSING AGENCIES UNDER THE HUDCC.

THIS INVOLVES ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING AND STREAMLINING TO MAKE THESE AGENCIES MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENTLY MANAGED. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE COLLECTION EFFICIENCY AND SERVICING OF HOUSING LOANS TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRAMS OF THE AGENCIES PROVIDING THESE LOANS.

AND LASTLY, WE WILL ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING THEIR RESPECTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS.

WE ARE PROMOTING DECENTRALIZATION TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LGUS IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HOUSING SERVICES. THAT IS WHY WE ARE PUSHING FOR THE CREATION OF LOCAL HOUSING BOARDS IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, AND FURTHER STREAMLINING THE PROCESSING OF PERMITS, LICENSES, AND EVEN HOUSING LOANS. I AM VERY HAPPY THAT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS ALSO ACTIVELY PARTNERING WITH LGUs NATIONWIDE. I HAVE ALSO VISITED YOUR PROJECT CALLED BAGONG BUHAY VILLAGE IN BASECO, WHICH IS JOINTLY IMPLEMENTED WITH THE CITY OF MANILA.

THE ROLE OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

YOU WILL NOTE THAT OUR STRATEGIES PLACE GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE PARTICIPATION OF SECTORS OUTSIDE THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. GIVEN THE IMMENSITY OF THE HOUSING PROBLEM, WE KNOW THAT THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ALONE CANNOT SOLVE IT. THAT IS WHY WE ARE THANKFUL THAT MORE AND MORE GROUPS, SUCH AS THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, ARE GETTING INVOLVED IN HOUSING INITIATIVES.

WE LAUD YOUR EFFORT AT PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO HOUSING THE POOR.

FIRST, YOUR ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND DECENT HOUSING TO PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE CANNOT BORROW FROM FORMAL FINANCING INSTITUTIONS. YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE LOWER-PRICED HOUSING UNITS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THROUGH INTEREST-FREE MORTGAGES AND SWEAT EQUITY.

SECOND, YOUR ORGANIZATION ENGAGES THE POOR THEMSELVES IN THE EFFORT TO TURN SLUMS INTO SAFE, DECENT, LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES. UNDER YOUR PROGRAM, THEY ARE NOT JUST BENEFICIARIES PASSIVELY WAITING FOR DOLE-OUTS. INSTEAD THEY ARE FULL PARTNERS, ACTIVELY PUTTING IN THEIR OWN SHARE TO IMPROVE NOT JUST THEIR OWN HOMES AND LIVES, BUT THAT OF THEIR NEIGHBORS AS WELL.

THAT CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE MAKES A DEEP IMPACT IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE AS THEY REALIZE, PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT THEY ARE NEITHER HELPLESS NOR POWERLESS IN THE FACE OF POVERTY.

THIRD, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INSPIRES AND ENABLES PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS TO ACT ON THE PRESSING PROBLEM OF POVERTY HOUSING. I KNOW THAT MANY FILIPINOS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR AND THE HOMELESS. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GIVES THEM THE MEANS TO TURN THEIR CONCERN INTO ACTION, BY BECOMING DONORS OR WORKERS.

FOURTH, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO UNITE FOR AN IMPORTANT CAUSE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS.

WE KNOW THAT OUR COUNTRY CAN FALL PREY TO EXCESSIVE POLITICKING AS RECENT EVENTS SHOW. TOO MUCH POLITICAL BICKERING OFTEN HINDERS IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. GROUPS THAT ARE DISTRUSTFUL OF THE ADMINISTRATION, OR SIMPLY WANT TO MAKE IT LOOK BAD, CAN DIG UP ALL SORTS OF ANOMALIES AND INTRIGUES TO HAMPER OR DERAIL MAJOR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS.

I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN NORTH RAIL, WHERE OUR EFFORTS TO RELOCATE SOME 40,000 FAMILIES LIVING IN SLUMS ALONG THE RAILWAY FROM METRO MANILA TO PAMPANGA ARE BEING OPPOSED BY SOME GROUPS FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN SEE OTHER THAN POLITICS.

THESE GROUPS ARE LED NOT BY THE SLUM-DWELLERS WHO STAND TO BENEFIT FROM THE RELOCATION, BUT BY OUTSIDERS. IN FACT, MAJORITY OF THE NORTH RAIL SETTLERS HAVE ALREADY VOLUNTEERED FOR RESETTLEMENT, YET THESE SMALL GROUPS WHO ARE SOWING CONFUSION AND FALSE HOPES ARE GETTING MUCH OF THE ATTENTION. WHAT THEY FAIL TO SEE IS THAT IT IS THE POOR WHO WILL HAVE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS.

WITH A NON-GOVERNMENT, NON-PARTISAN GROUP LIKE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY QUIETLY AND DILIGENTLY SPEARHEADING HOUSING PROJECTS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.

WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE POLITICAL FENCE SHOULD BE ABLE TO STOP THROWING MUD AT EACH OTHER, AND INSTEAD USE CEMENT AND CONCRETE BLOCKS TO BUILD HOUSES.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS HAPPY TO PLAY A SUPPORTING ROLE TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, IF IT MEANS PROVIDING SAFE AND DECENT HOMES TO POOR FILIPINO FAMILIES MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.

I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU, THE FRIENDS OF HABITAT, FOR CONTINUING TO PUSH THIS NOBLE UNDERTAKING. I HOPE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WILL CONTINUE TO GROW, AND THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL BECOME INVOLVE IN ITS PROJECTS.

AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS CHAIRMAN OF HUDCC, AND AS A FILIPINO WHO ALSO CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY, I SALUTE YOU ALL FOR YOUR UNSELFISH COMMITMENT TO UPLIFTING THE LIVES OF OUR KABABAYAN.

THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE. I HOPE THAT WE WILL LEAVE THIS GATHERING WITH A FRESH RESOLVE TO CONTINUE WHAT WE HAVE BEGUN, FOR THE GOOD OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WHOLE WORLD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AT MABUHAY PO KAYO.

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