BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Cordillera Administrative Region announced the lineup of activities for the 29th National Shelter Month on Wednesday, October 2.
With the theme “Matibay na tahanan, matatag na komunidad para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” DHSUD-CAR Regional Director Engr. Antonette A. Anaban emphasized that this year’s celebration focuses on the significance of “robust communities and a progressive nation through safe and resilient housing.”
Signed by then-President Fidel V. Ramos on September 27, 1995, Proclamation No. 662 designates October as National Shelter Month, recognizing the importance of housing for the nation’s overall development and for improving Filipinos’ social, economic, and spiritual well-being.
For the lineup of activities, on October 9 – 11, a housing summit, which includes a free continuing professional development seminar for real estate development regulation, will be held on the Mount Mary Hall, 2nd Floor, Sangkabalayan Building, Baguio Cathedral.
A Housing Exhibit and Serbisyo Fair will also be part of the celebration. Anaban shared that the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair inspired this activity, which will be held at the Skyzone of Porta Vaga Mall.
To emphasize the value of the celebration in the Cordillera region, Anaban likewise shared updates on the 4PH (Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino) program, where, to date, their priority projects are in Kalinga. This includes the project on Lumin-awa Residences, which is expected to produce 1,125 housing units, and in Rizal, Kalinga, which is expected to produce 300 housing units initially.
On shelter awareness, Anaban described Cordillera’s awareness level as “mataas naman”. However, Anaban noted that the 4PH meets challenges in the Cordillera since the program promotes vertical socialized condominium housing, while the preference for housing in the Cordilleras is horizontal housing.
“Ang limitation kasi natin dito is yung 15% na alienable and disposable, so tumataas po yung ating population, pero yung land area natin for alienable and disposable, hindi siya tumataas,” Anaban explained.
Furthermore, Anaban encourages the public to take advantage of the free activities prepared for the National Shelter Month. By Heleina Taeza