The GUG and ST Campaigns in the Philippines

• Context of the GUG and ST Campaigns
• Campaign Approach
  • Developing the framework of the GUG and ST campaigns
  • Campaign launches
  • Decentralized and participatory approach in formulating the action agenda

Context of the GUG and ST Campaigns

SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION is central to the objectives of the global campaigns on Good Urban Governance (GUG) and Secure Tenure (ST). It responds to the ultimate goal of eradicating poverty and thus, of sustainable human development. For the UN Habitat, "it is poorly managed urbanization that leads to the marginalization of the urban poor, which increases their current cost of living and defers enormous future environmental and social costs for the next generation." Security of tenure is thus, part of the solution—a catalyst for a stable and better life among the urban informal settlers. Good governance reinforces this goal and makes it a priority in national and local development efforts.

In consonance with the localization of the twin campaign of GUG and ST is the Millennium Development Goals adopted during the Millennium Summit of the UN General Assembly in 2000 that specifies a benchmark for UN member countries such as the Philippines in attaining developmental goals.

The legal frameworks governing urban development, housing, local governance and basic sectors’ representation were already in placed. These are the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160), which paved the way for the decentralization of power and functions from the national government to local governments; the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997 (R.A. 8425), which ensures the integration of various disadvantaged groups into the political and economic mainstream and institutionalizes their engagement with government in addressing poverty; and the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (R.A.7279), which fosters people’s participation in the urban development process, empowers local government units in addressing urban development issues and allows for private sector participation in the national shelter program.

The Urban Development and Housing Act specifies that a framework be prepared every five years and go through a consultation process involving all levels of government and all sectors of civil society. This has been the basis of the crafting of the National Urban Development and Housing Framework, 1999-2004 (NUDHF). It primarily aims to present an organized and interrelated collection of urban policies that will hasten the arrival of the benefits of urbanization, while alleviating many of its costs.

Campaign Approach

Developing the framework of the GUG and ST campaigns

The PUF has been instrumental in gathering together various stakeholders to formulate the framework and guiding principles of the campaigns. For the GUG campaign, the global norms on good urban governance have been translated into a Philippine framework. City-level indicators were then identified to operationalize these norms. During the 39^th General Assembly of the League of Cities in July 2002, the norms were adopted by 115 city mayors in the form of a Declaration of Commitment to GUG. Eventually, these norms become the basis for the cities’ action planning.

The framework of the ST campaign was also crafted and it claimed ownership among the network of peoples’ organizations that for a long time have been active proponents in the advocacy in urban poverty and housing. Basically, it is anchored on people’s rights to security of tenure that comprises the core element of social inclusion. ↑

Campaign launches

Campaign launches were successively held at the national and regional level. Continuous efforts at advocacy and raising awareness are being done with the participation and initiatives of partner-stakeholders even at the barangay and grassroots level. ↑

Decentralized and participatory approach in formulating the action agenda

The set of action plans is not simply an agenda but a manifestation of a successful attempt at converging the divergent interests and efforts of various stakeholders towards urban development. What sets apart the agenda lies in the act of consensus and commitment building of all sectors namely, the national government agencies, the local government units including the barangays, private sectors, people’s organizations, non-government organizations and the donors. The convergence of the two campaigns of good urban governance and security of tenure is contained in the five-point agenda of the Bahanggunihanan. ↑