UN-HABITAT joined hands with the Philippine Business for Social Progress to address the issue of the runaway housing problem. The linkage between the two bodies saw the formation of the MDG Square Table Discussion (SQTD) Cluster on Shelter whose first target would be a convergence project focused on the construction of a medium-rise building (MRB) for more than 100 informal settler families in Pasay City. It will also feature a programme where families will monitor their children’s individual progress on the MDGs, the city government providing land and basic services to the families, the business sector providing technical assistance and substantial discounts on the materials for construction and the community capacitated to manage their own affairs and improve their lot. Organized in 1970, PBSP is a consortium of 238 corporations that advocates for the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate citizenship.
The WHD celebration paved the way for the convening of the square table discussion on the focus areas of poverty and the environment. It aimed to form the Committee on Human Settlements as a platform for discourse and springboard for action on the issues of shelter and urban development. Just like the existing SQTDs, the body will be composed of representatives from government, business leaders, civil society and funding agencies with PBSP and UN-HABITAT as Secretariat. |
