Philippine housing initiatives bridge gaps and build resilient communities

UN-Habitat Assembly highlights transformative strategies, innovative solutions, and collaborative partnerships in affordable housing

The Philippine Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Undersecretary Henry L. Yap presented the country’s housing initiatives at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi on June 6, 2023. According to the Philippine Information Agency and emphasising the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program, Yap aimed to tackle the housing deficit and eliminate informal settlements by focusing on affordability and housing finance access.

Yap also announced the upcoming Philippine Urban Forum (PhUF) in October, themed “Transforming our Cities & Building Resilient Communities.” The forum aims to garner support for the Philippine New Urban Agenda, promoting sustainable urbanisation.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif stressed the transformative role of adequate housing in addressing global challenges like climate change, poverty, and inequality. The panel, including representatives from Kenya, Bahrain, Canada, and others, discussed housing-centred urban planning, reusing existing housing stock, financial access, and multilevel governance in the High-Level Session on Housing.

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Following the session, Undersecretary Yap reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to affordable and adequate housing in the UNHA-2 Plenary Session. The UN-Habitat Assembly, composed of 193 member states, meets every four years to address urbanisation and human settlement matters.

In a related development, News Bytes PH discussed how the Always With Us (AWU) Foundation introduced the HOMS token to address homelessness in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Launched through cryptocurrency, the AWU Foundation plans to build 1,000 homes in the Philippines, each represented by a non-fungible token (NFT). The initiative aims to leverage cutting-edge technology, using BLX blockchain and Coexstar marketplace for peer-to-peer trading.

Additionally, the Philippine News Agency reported that the province of Ilocos Norte signed an MOU with the DHSUD for the construction of affordable houses under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) project. Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc revealed plans for a transportation hub in the designated housing area, aiming to provide convenient and comfortable land travel.

The 4PH project, part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s initiative, focuses on building not just houses but communities with proximity to services, infrastructure, amenities, and business opportunities. By tapping private sector funds, the project aims to construct six million affordable housing units by 2028, benefitting minimum wage earners and families from high-risk areas.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].