THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) sat down recently with various sectoral groups to discuss issues and concerns confronting their respective sectors.
Through its Environmental Land Use and Urban Planning Development Bureau, in partnership with the UN Habitat, the DHSUD consulted various sectors prior to the holding of the Philippine Urban Forum (PhUF), which will happen next month.
The PhUF will serve as the largest gathering to present sectoral issues, and formulation of solutions that will contribute to the crafting of the Philippine New Urban Agenda (PNUA).
Sectoral representatives from the women, youth, children, urban poor, seniors, and academe/professionals sectors were present during the workshop.
DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap said the engagement with the various sectoral groups aims to gather issues as well as solutions straight from its stakeholders in order to craft a people-centric and inclusive urban development plan.
For its part, the youth sector raised during the workshop the need to increase the involvement of their group in decision-making and planning related to urban development. Representatives from the child sector, on the other hand, suggested to improve programs in the establishment and promotion of safe spaces for children.
“In our pursuit of sustainable urban development, we pledge our unyielding commitment to women and their integral role in building thriving and equitable cities,” explains Susanito Tesiorna, a representative of the Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy/Sector and women’s rights advocate.
The urban poor groups also called for more consultations and discussions with government regarding its various programs.
Yap encouraged the participants to be responsive in urban development and support activities towards addressing gaps in the sectors.
“We believe that by surfacing these issues, we will be able to draw more attention from government as well as civil society groups in resolving these issues,” he concluded.