THE Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) has called for a participatory review of the proposed UP-SDG (University of the Philippines-Sustainable Development Goals) Park and housing project, saying inclusive development must begin with listening to those most directly affected.
PCUP Chairman Michelle Anne Gonzales on Sunday commended Mayor Joy Belmonte and the local government, as well as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), for their commitment of resources and for prioritizing the undertaking.
“But let us first start by hearing from the residents — it is, after all, called an SDG Park precisely because it champions inclusive communities,” Gonzales said in a statement.
“It would be regrettable to see this project derailed. Opportunities such as this are few and far between — when various tiers of government unite to bring an in-city housing initiative to fruition,” Gonzalez pointed out.
The PCUP chief urged the UP administration and all project stakeholders to revisit the plans through meaningful dialogue with residents and the broader UP community.
This would ensure that the project becomes a model of genuine people’s planning, wherein communities serve as active partners in shaping their own future, she emphasized.
The top PCUP official further called on all parties involved to refrain from any action that undermines the security of tenure of informal settler families, including measures that could lead to displacement or sow fear and uncertainty, as consultations and project planning are ongoing.
Gonzales emphasized that the rights, welfare, and participation of affected families must remain at the core of the process.
“Development should never come at the cost of people’s rights. We can achieve quality urban development and secure housing by working together, listening to communities, and making certain that no family is left behind,” she added.
