Ateneo de Manila University warmly welcomed delegates to the pivotal 2nd Socialized Housing Summit with open arms and open minds, as Dean Roberto Galang set the stage for a collaborative discourse on tackling the Philippines’ housing crisis.
Dean Galang acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting the distressing shortfall in socialized housing units—the demand being 500,000, while a mere 11,000 were constructed last year, exacerbating an already 7 million unit shortage.
In his remarks, he brought to light the glaring presence of informal settlements, a visible sign of the dire housing shortage that is far from the norm in other developing nations. The historical perspective provided a sobering reminder of past efforts, including post-independence housing projects in Quezon City, which now call for a renewed commitment to innovation and action. He urged the assembly of thought leaders and stakeholders to engage in a concerted effort, combining legislative and executive solutions, to advance housing solutions with urgency, especially in the face of increasing climate change risks. The summit, co-organized by ACSent and SEDPI on March 18-19, 2024, at the Ateneo de Manila University, aims to harness social entrepreneurship and forge partnerships across sectors to create lasting and meaningful change in providing adequate housing for Filipinos.