The signing into law of the much awaited Comprehensive Urban Shelter Services Code of Davao City or the Davao City Shelter Code in short opens up new possibilities and opportunities for the urban poor sector.
The passage of the Code is the result of strong and sustained advocacy work by various urban poor groups, non-government organizations and alternative law groups. This resulted from the First Davao City Housing Congress held a year ago through the initiative of Councilor Arnolfo Cabling, who chairs the City Council Committee on Housing and Urban and Rural Development. During that congress various housing issues were raised by the participants. After the congress, continued discussions among the different stakeholders on how to address the issues raised kept going on. To formalize the discussions, a Shelter Alliance was formed. This alliance evolved into what will become the Shelter Code Technical Working Group.
The most prominent issue that was raised was: How can Davao City provide accessible and affordable housing for the urban poor? The answer to this question is as varied as the players in the housing sector. The need to rationalize the delivery of housing services for the urban poor was glaringly prominent. The only way to rationalize this was through legislation.
There were attempts in the past to come up with this specific legislation in mind. In fact, Councilors Leo Avila and Angging Librado - Trinidad prepared legislative proposals towards this end. Councilor Danny Dayanghirang sponsored a resolution pushing for a shelter code. These proposed legislation and resolution were picked up by the Shelter Code Technical Working Group, and then compiled into a working draft.
Brainstorming sessions and discussions were held regularly. Urban poor sector consultations became part of the process. Similar legislation from Naga City, Marikina, Quezon City and Mandaluyong were also reviewed. The final draft of the Shelter Code that was presented to Councilor Cablings’ committee was a product of intense discussions and debates among members of the Technical Working Group. These discussions were based on actual experience on the field and engagements with different housing related agencies and the implementation of housing policy.
The debates on the session hall of the city council were intensely and purposively observed by members of the urban poor sector and the technical working group. Some councilors were perceived by the observers as nuisance legislators, while others were seen as fence sitters. As the debates intensified, members of the alliance went into high gear in their lobbying efforts.
The ordinance signed into law by Mayor Duterte is the result of a very comprehensive process. Members of the Technical Working Group and the urban poor sector are confident that the ordinance is a tool that can be used to answer the housing concerns of Davao City.
How then can this ordinance answer the housing needs of the urban poor?
The Davao City Shelter Code mandates the representation of the urban poor sector in the Local Housing Board. They will have four representatives. These representatives will be tasked in ensuring that housing policy of Davao City will meet their concerns.
Housing concerns will now be addressed purposively on an annual basis through the Local Housing Board. With out the Shelter Code, housing concerns can be treated on a seasonal basis by city hall. Shelter planning in Davao City is now anticipated to be proactive and purposive through the Shelter Plan that will be put together by the Local Housing Board.
Housing developers with projects in the city is now required by the Shelter Code to implement their 20% socialized housing balance in Davao City. In the past, developers can comply with this regulation in areas outside Davao City. This provision in the Shelter Code ensures that urban poor housing projects by developers in Davao City will be implemented within the city for them.
A fixed annual budget for the Local Housing Board is mandated by the Shelter Code. This means housing concerns of the city will now be addressed on a sustained basis.
They way the Davao Shelter Code was crafted is groundbreaking. What remains to be seen is how Davao City will implement this innovative piece of legislation.
Members of the urban poor sector will closely observe this very crucial stage in the evolution of Davao City’s housing sector concerns. You can count on them to be watching closely.
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