VICE President Leni Robredo said the government and the urban poor must work together as partners in development.
She also encouraged the involvement of members of the urban poor sector in projects initiated for them.
The presidential aspirant made the comments at the recent signing of a covenant with the Leni Urban Poor
(Leni UP) coalition, with representatives from various groups supporting her bid in the May 2022 elections.
“Yung boses ninyo na parati natin ito pinapakipag-laban. Na ‘pag binigyan kayo ng malaking pagkakataon na mapakinggan ‘yung buy-in niyo sa problema nandoon,” she said.
“Mas naiintindihan niyo kung bakit ‘yung ibang mga bagay ay mahirap ibigay, gustong sabihin mas maiintindihan niyo na hindi lahat kaginhawahan, merong mga kahirapang kailangan pagdaanan para makamtan ‘yung mga pinapangarap natin," the vice president added.
Robredo said the people should be the main implementers of these projects and the government will assist them to make sure they have the proper access to livelihood, schools, medical facilities, among others, which are essential for families to thrive.
“Sisiguraduhin po natin na kapag tayo ‘yung nabigyan ng pagkakataon, kabahagi kayo every step of the way. Kayo ‘yung nagsasabi na, “Ito ‘yung gagawin namin, kailangan lang namin ng tulong, kailangan lang namin ng training pero ito ‘yung gusto namin,” she added.
Robredo also emphasized the need to consult with the sector, especially when it comes to housing projects,
because resettlement has significant social costs, such as families ending up broken.
“Kaya dapat pinag-iisipan natin nang mabuti na kung hindi talaga puwede ‘yung on-site, kung hindi talaga puwede yung in-city, kailangan bigyan siya ng mas malaking pagkakataon na hindi pabigat yung paglipat niya ng bahay,” Robredo said.
Robredo also mentioned the need for a "People’s Plan" for all housing projects to be undertaken by the
government.
It will involve the urban poor sector in all stages of the project from planning to implementation, she said.
“‘Yung gusto natin every step of the way, kasama kayo sa pagdedesisyon,” Robredo said.
Robredo and her late husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, have long been advocates for a “People’s Plan.”
She prioritized this during her short stint as the chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.
Robredo and the Office of the Vice President (OVP), through its Angat Buhay Villages in several areas around the country, have already partnered with different groups and enabled them to build their own homes.
“Amin lang ‘yung materyales pero ‘yung design ng bahay ay kabahagi sila,” she said.
The OVP also provides training in masonry, carpentry, and other skills that would be needed for constructing their homes.