In a significant move towards the attainment of sustainable urban development, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) launched the Plan and Do: PLANADO Program on February 20, 2024, in Cebu City.
This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to building and strengthening the capacity of the local governments in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP) and other urban development initiatives, including the strategic identification of lands for housing development.
The launch was a momentous occasion, marked by the presence of key government officials who expressed their support for the Program’s implementation, aligning their respective policies and programs with the goals set forth by PLANADO.
In his opening message, DHSUD Undersecretary Henry Yap, representing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, extended gratitude to the stakeholders present, emphasizing the significance of creating smarter, greener, and more resilient communities.
“When we talk about building homes, human settlements, and communities, it is not just about constructing houses, buildings, and roads. It is about creating spaces and places where people can thrive – where families can live and grow, businesses can succeed, and the environment can be preserved for future generations,” Undersecretary Yap said in his message.
PLANADO introduces a paradigm shift in addressing urbanization challenges such as urban sprawl, climate vulnerability and risks, inadequate infrastructure and services, spatial inequality, unemployment, and housing crisis. With a target of achieving zero backlogs on Comprehensive Land Use Plans by 2030, coupled with the proactive promotion of urban development initiatives through UrbaNext2040, and strengthened coordination among national government agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders, the country is set towards a green, sustainable, and resilient future.
Moreover, the Program will support the implementation of Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH), a flagship program of the current administration. Through updated and risk-informed land use plans, the government will be able to identify lands that are suitable for housing and human settlements, including the development of new townships and estates.
During the event, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama shared the city’s urban development roadmap and collective vision of becoming a thriving metropolis with world-class infrastructure – an initiative that is aligned with the objectives of PLANADO.
Spearheaded by DHSUD’s Environmental, Land Use, and Urban Planning and Development Bureau under the leadership of Director Mylene Rivera, the three-day event serves as a venue for knowledge exchange and consultation among the key actors in the field of housing, human settlements, and urban development. Among those present were NEDA Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad-Santos, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, DHSUD Assistant Secretary Daryll Bryan Villanueva, PIA Director General and Undersecretary Jose Torres, PIA Assistant Director General and Assistant Secretary Allan Vincent Lorenzo, UN-Habitat Country Program Manager Christopher Rollo, GIZ advisors Niel Suñer and Agnes Pantastico, national and regional representatives from DA, DENR, DILG, DOE, DOST, DOT and DOTr, DHSUD regional directors and select service directors, local government representatives, CSOs, and academe.