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Binay supports stronger public-private partnerships

11/09/2009

Makati Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay yesterday expressed his support to stronger partnerships between government and the private sector to address the country’s housing problem.

Binay said the national government should consider replicating successful public-private partnerships in developing housing projects for the poor, citing Makati ’s partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK) and the city’s business community.

“The partnership between Makati, GK and the city’s business community is a partnership anchored on our desire to develop a new approach to resettlement. We do not stop at simply building the houses and mobilizing resources from those who could contribute and share their time, talent and treasure,” Binay said.

The mayor added relocated residents are also provided with ample social support services and provisions to improve their living conditions through skills and competence training.

“We make sure that a sustainable social service infrastructure is constructed, allowing beneficiaries to live in their homes in peace, honor and dignity,” Binay said.

He added the framework has served the constituents of Makati well with the establishment of the Dreamland Ville housing project in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

The Makati undertaking is unique among GK projects with local governments. In this case, Makati donated the land, complete with civil works and community facilities like a school building, medical clinic and a chapel.

For its part, GK took care of project management and also provided the moral and spiritual guidance for the settlers.

Makati and GK worked together to enlist and incentivize the support of the city’s private sector for funding and volunteer manpower. The city government provided donors with tax credits on local taxes, Binay said.

Binay and officials from GK and the Banco de Oro Foundation turned over 28 new houses donated by the Foundation to beneficiaries of the project today. Binay said he hopes to do the same for more poor families.

Binay urged the national government to consider replicating Makati ’s partnership with the private sector.

“Our national situation cries out for urgent reforms. The Philippines is a country where a great number of Filipinos remain landless and homeless. Poverty has driven many to leave their provinces to seek their fortune, even a slice of a decent life — in Metropolitan Manila,” Binay said.

According to the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010, the country’s housing need is estimated to reach 3.75 million in 2010 with about 1.2 million coming from backlogs in socialized and low-cost housing projects.

The MTPDP also projects that for the period of 2005-2010 the government is expected to provide housing assistance to 1,145,668 households or 30 percent of the housing need for the period.

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