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Home > Ang Bahanggunihanan > Reforms Initiated Towards Sustainable Urbanization
Reforms Initiated Towards Sustainable Urbanization
Governance Reforms
The 1991 Local Government Code
With the democratic environment that ushered during the Aquino administration, the 10th Congress enacted the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC). The devolution of functions from the national government to local government units is the core of the LGC, which signaled a new era for local autonomy.
The LGC also provided for the formation of various leagues of local governments and local officials in order for LGUs to continuously advocate a united position on vital policies affecting local autonomy and to serve as venues to promote excellence in local governance. ↑
The 1992 Urban Development and Housing Act
Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992 outlines a three point agenda: (1) Fostering people’s participation in the urban development process, (2) Empowerment of LGUs to address urban development issues particularly homelessness, and (3) Private sector participation in the national shelter program in exchange for incentives (i.e., UDHA requires developers to set aside 20% of all proposed subdivision areas for socialized housing). ↑
The 1997 Poverty Alleviation Act
Republic Act 8425 or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997 ensures the integration of various disadvantaged groups into the political and economic mainstream. It empowers the basic sectors and institutionalizes their engagement with government in addressing poverty. ↑
Adoption of the Local Environmental Planning Process
The local environmental planning process was introduced to LGUs in response to the need to upgrade the quality of life of their constituencies while protecting and preserving the environment. LGUs were then required to complete their comprehensive land use plans as basis for their annual development and investment plans.
Towards the late 1990s, city development strategies were crafted along a process-oriented paradigm as urban development plans were widely accepted and owned by stakeholders in the LGUs. ↑
Urban Sector Policies
The vision, objectives and policies concerning the Philippine Urban System are now enshrined in three documents: National Urban Development and Housing Framework 1999-2004 (NUDHF) prepared by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), the National Urban Policy Agenda (NUPA) prepared by the National Economic Development Administration (NEDA) and Chapter 12 and 14 of the current Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) entitled "Pursuing Balanced Regional Development and Expanding Access to Shelter."
The National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) was crafted in view of presenting an organized and interrelated collection of urban policies that will hasten the arrival of the benefits of urbanization, while alleviating many of its costs. Specifically, the NUDHF pursues the following objectives:
- Rationalize and direct the urbanization process to harness urbanization as a strategy for globalization and economic growth;
- Build cities as platforms to promote democratization and participatory governance;
- Utilize cities to address poverty and to deliver social services, particularly to the poor; and
- Encourage the development of local governments that have the capacity to address urbanization issues and concerns.
 Mindanao Urban poor sector discussing their participation in the Secure Tenure Campaign Civil Society-Level Reforms
With a broader understanding and a deeper sense of citizenship, reforms at the NGO-PO level became more evident. This change in mindset saw NGO-PO changing their mode of engagement with government, from confrontational to collaborative, from the streets to the boardrooms.
The period was characterized by a heightened participation in local special bodies and active involvement in local planning and budgeting processes.
In the face of many challenges, NGOs/POs help in creating an enabling environment for various reforms to happen—reforms that are anchored on people-centered development. As always, delivering programs that will impact on the lives of the ordinary Filipino has always been a challenge.
After a decade of implementing the Local Government Code and the Urban Development Housing Act, the recent years (2001-2002) was a period of looking back at the lessons learned, taking stock of the innovations developed and setting the strategic directions for meaningful and improved urban governance.
Formation of the Philippine Urban Forum
The creation of the Philippine Urban Forum aims to strengthen linkages for the implementation of the NUDHF through continuing consultations and convergence among stakeholders. It is a platform for information sharing, discussion and coordination among national government agencies, legislature, civil society organizations, private sector groups and the international donor community that are involved in shelter and urban governance.
The PUF has been coordinating the activities for the local and national launchings of the United Nation’s (UN) twin campaigns on Good Urban Governance and Secure Tenure. It has been instrumental in the formulation, review and revision of both the GUG and ST frameworks
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