QC housing programs gets international attention

MANILA, March 9, (PNA)-– The Quezon City government’s housing initiatives have attracted urban planners from many parts of the world, QC officials said on Monday.

QC Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” R. Belmonte Jr. said urban planners from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East said they are using Quezon City as role model for their reference points in their effort of formulating long-term measures to address poverty through capacity and institutional development.

Belmonte said the urban planners, composed of technical professionals working in government, private organizations and the academe, have described QC’s continuing commitment towards sustainable urban development and good urban governance, as relevant in their study of gaining broader perspectives in addressing key shelter issues.

He personally welcomed the visitors during a courtesy call at the QC Hall Bulwagan over the weekend where the Mayor discussed salient features of the city’s comprehensive development plan which outlines efforts to create sustainable improvements throughout the city.

A key to the city was presented by the Mayor as a token of appreciation for the group’s visit, which was organized by the housing development and management department of Lund University in Sweden.

The program was locally-coordinated by TAO-Pilipinas, Inc., a women-led non-governmental organization that assists poor communities on issues of sustainable human settlements and urban development.

The visitors, all participants to the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)-funded Shelter Design and Development Advance International Training Course, were on the final phase of completing their training course about the country’s housing provision experiences and practices. (PNA)LOR/JCA