Tag: resilient housing

Gawad Kalinga Ateneo Unveils Success in Building Communities at the 2nd Socialized Housing Summit

At the 2nd Socialized Housing Summit, Ms. Norlie Corneby of Gawad Kalinga Ateneo shared a profound narrative of community transformation and resilience, illustrating the organization’s triumphs in socialized housing. Held on March 18-19, 2024, at the Ateneo de Manila University, the summit, organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSent) and Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the critical issues surrounding socialized housing in the Philippines.

Gawad Kalinga’s journey in community building, as presented by Ms. Corneby, showcased various successful projects across the nation, including Payatas Trese Blue Eagle Village in Quezon City, Kalayaan Village in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, and several others in Cavite and Nueva Ecija. Each project highlighted Gawad Kalinga’s commitment to not only provide homes but also foster communities where dignity, safety, and hope flourish.

A pivotal aspect of Gawad Kalinga’s approach, as detailed in the presentation, is the meticulous family screening and qualifying process, ensuring that the benefits reach those who need them most. This process is rooted in a deep understanding of the beneficiaries’ circumstances, aspirations, and potential to contribute to the community’s growth.

Values formation stands at the core of Gawad Kalinga’s mission, underpinning the belief that sustainable development transcends the physical construction of houses. Through various programs, residents engage in activities that nurture values of responsibility, community, and shared purpose. The essence of “Bayanihan,” or communal unity and cooperation, was underscored as a key ingredient in the success of each project, demonstrating that the spirit of collective effort can overcome substantial challenges.

Ms. Corneby’s presentation vividly captured the transformative power of socialized housing when coupled with a holistic approach to community development. By integrating values formation and leveraging the Bayanihan spirit, Gawad Kalinga Ateneo has not only built houses but has also rekindled hope and catalyzed positive change in marginalized communities.

The 2nd Socialized Housing Summit served as an eye-opening reminder of the impactful work being done across the Philippines to address housing needs. Gawad Kalinga Ateneo’s experience provided attendees with invaluable insights into the potential of socialized housing projects to transform lives and landscapes.

OSHDP Advocates for Robust Partnerships and Data-Driven Strategies in Socialized Housing

At the 2nd Socialized Housing Summit, held at the Ateneo de Manila University on March 18-19, 2024, Engr. Marcelino Mendoza of the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines Inc. (OSHDP) provided an in-depth look at the vital role mass housing developers play in addressing the country’s urgent housing needs. Organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSent) and Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), the summit brought together key stakeholders to discuss innovative solutions to the housing crisis.

Mendoza shared heartwarming success stories, highlighting the transformative impact of socialized housing on beneficiaries, such as Angelie Mabulay, a visually impaired individual who, despite initial setbacks, successfully acquired a home through OSHDP’s intervention. These stories not only showcase the organization’s dedication but also emphasize the power of resilience and community support in overcoming adversity.

As OSHDP continues to champion “growth through dignified, decent, and affordable housing,” Mendoza outlined several forward-looking strategies to enhance the sector’s efficiency and responsiveness. A critical area of focus is addressing the significant data gap regarding the inventory of idle government land that could be utilized for socialized housing. Mendoza advocated for a more systematic approach to identifying and allocating these lands to maximize their potential for housing development.

Public and private partnerships were underscored as a cornerstone for advancing socialized housing initiatives. Mendoza called for strengthened collaborations between government agencies, private developers, and non-governmental organizations to pool resources, expertise, and capacities for more significant impact. Such partnerships could lead to innovative housing models that cater to the diverse needs of low-income families while ensuring sustainability and community resilience.

Another crucial area highlighted was the need for a transparent and equitable beneficiary selection and identification process. Mendoza proposed the development of a more structured queuing system to ensure fairness in allocating housing units and to prioritize those most in need. Additionally, the importance of social preparation prior to purchase was stressed, suggesting that potential homeowners be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for property and estate management to foster long-term success and community well-being.

In closing, Engr. Mendoza’s presentation at the summit served as a call to action for all stakeholders involved in socialized housing. By addressing data gaps, fostering public and private partnerships, and ensuring the equitable selection of beneficiaries, the sector can move closer to its goal of providing affordable, dignified, and decent housing for every Filipino family. The insights shared by Mendoza and other speakers at the summit underscore the urgent need for collective efforts to solve the housing crisis, bridging gaps through innovation, collaboration, and shared expertise.

Citihub Founder Panya Boonsirithum Advocates for Affordable Urban Housing at the 2nd Socialized Housing Summit

In a striking presentation at the 2nd Socialized Housing Summit, held on March 18-19, 2024, at the Ateneo de Manila University, Panya Boonsirithum, the founder of Citihub, shared his visionary approach to addressing Metro Manila’s housing crisis. Organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSent) and Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), the summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to tackle the challenges of socialized housing in the Philippines.

Boonsirithum, through his social enterprise, Citihub, highlighted the profound disparity between the burgeoning population of Metro Manila, which swells from 12.8 million at night to 15 million during the day, according to the 2015 NSO Census. This phenomenon exacerbates the city’s homelessness and housing inadequacy, particularly for low-income workers who commute daily to the metropolis’s economic hubs such as Makati, Pasay, and the Port Area of Tondo.

Citihub’s innovative solution, the “POP-UP Mobile Dormitory,” aims to provide affordable, dignified, and environmentally sustainable housing for these workers. For a remarkably low fee of P99 per day (or P2,995 per month), residents can enjoy bed accommodations inclusive of power and water, fully air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and round-the-clock security with CCTV. Additionally, residents benefit from complimentary rice and mineral water, further alleviating their living costs.

Boonsirithum’s vision for Citihub is bold and clear: to eradicate homelessness in Metro Manila by establishing a Citihub in every city within the metropolitan area. By doing so, Citihub aims to be a for-profit social enterprise that significantly reduces the environmental footprint of urban housing while addressing the pressing need for affordable accommodations.

The growth plans of Citihub are ambitious, aiming to establish a hub in each of the 16 cities of Metro Manila. This expansion strategy underscores Citihub’s commitment to widespread social impact, emphasizing the enterprise’s dual focus on environmental stewardship and social progress.

Boonsirithum’s message to the summit attendees was one of inspiration and action. He urged everyone to champion causes that contribute to the nation’s development and to take an active role in building the future. Citihub’s project serves not only as a testament to what can be achieved through innovation and social entrepreneurship but also as a call to action for other stakeholders to explore and implement solutions that provide sustainable, affordable housing.

The summit, organized by ACSent and SEDPI, provided a valuable platform for sharing ideas, strategies, and success stories like Citihub’s. By bringing together government agencies, private sector partners, social enterprises, and civil society allies, the event aimed to forge a collaborative network dedicated to ensuring accessible, sustainable, and dignified housing for every Filipino. Boonsirithum’s presentation at the summit reinforced the critical role of innovative approaches and public-private partnerships in bridging the gaps in the housing sector and building futures through innovating solutions.

SEDPI, Tumutugon sa Kalamidad: Relief Operations at Pagsusulong ng Resilient Housing sa Davao del Norte at Agusan del Sur

Nitong ika-16 ng Marso, 2023, nagsagawa ang Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI) ng relief operations sa mga lugar na apektado ng Low Pressure Area sa Carmen, Davao del Norte at Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Ang organisasyon ay tumugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga tao sa mga apektadong lugar sa pamamagitan ng SEDPI KaTambayayong na isang uri ng damayan system.

Batay sa datos na nakalap ng SEDPI, apektado ang 193 sa 1,097 members sa Carmen, Davao del Norte, habang sa Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur ay 38 sa 1,251 members ang apektado ng Low Pressure Area. Ayon sa mga members sa lugar, umabot ang tubig hanggang bewang at leeg. Karamihan sa mga residente ay pansamantalang tumira sa mga kalsada at sa municipal gymnasium bilang evacuation center.

Nagbibigay ang SEDPI KaTambayayong ng life, sickness, calamity, fire, funeral, at accident assistance benefits. Kasama sa calamity benefit ang relief goods at PhP250 cash. Ang mga benefits na ito ay karaniwang naibibigat sa mga members sa loob lamang ng isa o dalawang araw, na labis na mas mabilis kumpara sa 3 hanggang 6 na buwan na claims processing ng karaniwang insurance company. Ang mga benepisyong ito ay eksklusibo lamang sa SEDPI members at maaring nagbabago depende sa nakolektang pondo. Noong 2021 at 2022, umabot sa PhP4.6M at 5.9M ang kabuuang naipamigay na benepisyo sa mga SEDPI KaTambayayong members.

Bagaman umabot na ang relief operations sa mga lugar na ito, hindi pa rin sapat ang mga tulong na ipinagkakaloob upang tugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga apektadong residente. Kailangan ng mga solusyong tumutugon sa pinagmumulan mismo ng problema. Una na rito ang paglipat sa mga residente mula sa mga hazard prone areas papunta sa mga safe zones. Pangalawa, ang pagbibigay ng abot-kayang pabahay sa mga residente. At pangatlo, ang pagkakaroon ng disenyo ng bahay na angkop sa lugar at sa kalamidad.

Upang matulungan ang mga miyembro nito, ang SEDPI ay kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng socialized housing, SEDPI Building Adequate Livable Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) communities, na naglalayong magbigay ng maayos at disaster resilient housing sa mga low-income members. Ang organisasyon ay nakikipagtulungan din sa pamahalaan, social investors, at civic organizations upang magbigay ng abot-kayang pabahay sa mga nangangailangan.