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July, 2008MMUSPP Hosts Workshops, CA Readying for Launch
The ADB TA-4616 Metro Manila Urban Services For the Poor Project (MMUSPP) Team, which submitted its final report last October 2006, regrouped last January when it conducted a series of workshops in Ortigas, Pasig, and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City, which lasted for 3 weeks. The plenary cum workshops were intended to cull crucial discussion points from the participants, especially in their response to the sector roadmap proposed by the MMUSPP experts for the first tranche of the Program. There were 5 workshops held, each one representing a specific target sector or group defined by the Team, namely: Key Shelter Agencies, Private Sector, LGUs, Microfinance institutions, and Community-based Organizations (CBO) or NGOs. The workshops were attended by delegates from the said sectors, housing representatives from covered districts such as Makati, Quezon City, Taguig, and Muntinlupa, and other esteemed guests including ADB Mission Officer Dr. Florian Steinberg, HUDCC Asst. Secretary Celia Alba and Hon. Zialcita of Parañaque City. In many ways, the elaborate, dynamic and engaging discussions generated sentiments and valid comments that were deemed crucial to the formulation of clear and credible policy recommendations for attaining security of tenure, and opportunities for tenable, sustainable household growth.
As the MMUSPP Team continues their vigil and efforts to fast-track the approval of the investment program from the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Council (NEDA-ICC), the 2nd phase for the multi-tranche facility, Cities Alliance-MMUSPP (CA), is slowly picking up pace as it awaits its official Notice to Proceed from the ADB. The CA, which will banner under the Cities Without Slums Strategies that operates on the 15-year strategy for a Slum-Free Manila, continues the momentous efforts accomplished in Tranche 1 (Quezon City, Muntinlupa and Taguig). The 2nd Tranche eyes additional LGUs such as Makati, Mandaluyong and Marikina, as key beneficiaries of proposed Metro-wide shelter and urban development strategies. CA, which is projected to run until mid-2008, will be led by Ms. Edna Balucan as Team Leader, and Arch. Dinky Von Einsiedel as Deputy Team Leader. The Team already held its kickoff meeting last March 2 at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) head office in The Atrium, Makati City. The meeting was graciously hosted by Ms. Balucan, HUDCC Director Ronald Fontamillas, with the participation of Dr. Steinberg and Asec. Alba.