Sunday, May 29, 2011

Philippine local governments asked to factor climate change adaptation in housing programs

MindaNews (Philippines) covers one aspect of the effort in the Philippines to reduce vulnerability to disasters: Vice-President Jejomar Binay has asked local governments to include climate change adaptation measures in their land use and land development plans for housing, as the Pagibig Fund announced the portfolio fund this year reaching P5 billion for housing programs would be mainly coursed through them. Binay also disclosed that government would rush to fill in the housing backlog of 3.7 million units.

The twin announcements coincided with the regional housing caravan mounted by the key agencies under the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). Binay has offered the services of the HUDCC-member agencies to the LGUs to assist the latter in crafting their comprehensive land use plan, formulating a housing program for both the formal sector and the informal settlers, and drawing up a site development plan.

“But make it sure that you include risk reduction actions and adaptation measures to climate change,” he told participants to the housing summit on Thursday called by the vice president for the Southern and Southwestern Mindanao regions.

…Agencies like the National Housing Authority and the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. (NHA), the newest national shelter agency, showed again their mandates at providing affordable housing to Filipinos but emphasized that those living in danger zones and risk areas should be prioritized…

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