What We Did And Will Continue To Do

         The Philippine Alliance stands on its principle- that the development process appropriate for the poor should primarily be determined by the poor themselves. Determining such process is more than just applying an academically framed paradigm; it’s more than just having strong partnership with contemporaneous government administration and more than just delivering tangible output as proof of improvement. The alliance looks beyond what is visible- it specifically gives high regard to the people-centered process taking full consideration of the social context and the communities’ pace. Such is evident in all its slum-upgrading initiatives ranging from community savings mobilization, community survey, small-scale upgrading initiatives and at present, its community-managed housing initiatives which has not only made a great impact but has inspired local and international communities.

Sonia Cadornigara, HPFPI Regional Coordinator for Western Visayas presents 
the federation's experiences in housing project implementation with Vice Mayor
 Javier of the Municipality of Hamtic and Engr. Mondejar, the appointed project
 engineer of the upcoming project. Observing at the back are TAMPEI's (fr.L-R) 
Arch. Mandario, Rubinos-architect intern, Arch.Libutaque, TAMPEI President
 and Villarin, HPFPI Survey in-charge for Iloilo City

         Just recently, the alliance was tapped by the province of Antique, a province adjacent to the southern part of Iloilo, particularly of the municipality of Hamtic to assist and facilitate in the setting up of a Comprehensive Housing and Upgrading Project for families in the foreshore areas of Malandog, one of the coastal barangays of Hamtic. The project aims to a) promote community-managed housing construction, where the community plays a vital role in planning, procurement, actual construction and housing management; b) build on community’s collective capacities and resources through the promotion and expansion of savings program; c) facilitate skills and technology transfer by replicating the use of ICEB technology for the implementation of low-cost housing project and d) develop and strengthen pool of technical support, networks and partners to leverage financial, technical and infrastructure resources and jointly formulate policies or programs that support the delivery of  adequate, low-cost and sustainable housing for the poor.

Photo taken during the Workshop on Local Shelter Plan Formulation.
Participants compose of representatives from LGU' City Planning and
Development Office, Iloilo City Urban Poor Network, Housing and Urban
Development Coordinating Council, Housing land Use and Regulatory
 Board and National Housing Authority.

           On the other hand, in Iloilo City, the Alliance’s recently promulgated membership and representation in the Local Committee against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters, reaffirmation of its membership in the Local Housing Board, participation in the consultation meeting on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Iloilo City, its involvement in the formulation of the Local Shelter Plan for the same and its recent participation in the proposal to amend the a national legislation on Urban Development and Housing are tangible  proofs that its constant and persistent initiative has not only made its presence undoubtedly visible but has to a great extent amplified its voice, loud enough not only to influence development policies but more importantly in taking the lead on setting the compass towards a more inclusive and participatory governance.

Lay-out and flooring of  the housing units of the
3rd batch of housing participants

         Currently, the alliance is nearing completion of one hundred seventy two (172) housing units in its community-managed housing project in San Isidro Relocation Site in Iloilo City. Eighty three (83) of which were officially awarded to first and the second batch of housing participants while the construction of the 48 units for the third batch is still ongoing. The initial course of implementing the remaining forty one (41) units for the last batch of housing participants which considerably has the least affordability level will commence through Savings Orientation and Housing Design Workshop on Monday (April 16, 2012).

Housing units of the 2nd batch of housing
participants. Because of a relatively lower capital
fund of  110,000 pesos compared with the
150,000 pesos fund of the 1st batch they have
decided to use ordinary GI sheets.

           The past few weeks have been quiet challenging and remarkably eventful for the Philippine Alliance particularly for the Iloilo Team, as exemplified by the abovementioned undertakings and activities. Such unfolding of events shows the Alliance’s potential to take greater leaps forward. However, “it is frustrating to know, see and encounter people who still think that they can just draw, plan, dictate, and build the house of the poor without getting them involved”, said Sonia Cadornigara, SDI Board Member. “We must keep in mind that we are not just building their houses but we are in a way building their lives and homes...and it is next to building communities...strategies which are in keeping with their progressive pace should be observed", she added.