MALABON City Administrator Dr. Alex Rosete was the only Filipino presenter during the recent Housing Studies Association Annual Conference 2024 in Manchester, United Kingdom where he shared strategies in the effective implementation of any housing initiatives.
Concurrent City Housing and Urban Development Department head, CA Rosete presented the management strategies for the successful implementation of Manila’s Land for the Landless Housing Services Program before Forty Years (LLP) to policymakers, housing providers and practitioners and campaigners, among others.
Rosete said the UK conference was a significant experience as he personally discussed with the participants about the housing research broadly as they delved into the critical relationship between housing and health in particular.
He shared some recommendations or strategies in improving the LLP implementation which would identify key areas of improvement and also help local government units and housing providers in different countries in providing better and healthier homes for their residents.
The recommendations include conducting a comprehensive audit of available land to identify suitable parcels for housing development, considering health-related components such as proximity to healthcare facilities, access to clean water sources, sanitation infrastructure, and mitigation to environmental risks.
The Malabon official cited the importance of private sector participation in the provision of affordable housing through incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, land grants, and streamlined approval processes, with a focus on promoting health-oriented design principles such as access to healthcare facilities, incorporation of green building technologies for energy efficiency and indoor air quality, and adherence to urban planning strategies that promote walkability and active transportation.
Taking pride in Rosete’s participation in the UK conference being a lone Filipino presenter, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said her administration has already been implementing key strategies in its housing initiatives.
“We started it with the creation of a city department that manages the growing gaps and challenges in providing ample, decent and affordable housing and urban settlements in the city,” Sandoval said.
“In Malabon, we aim to provide healthy and quality homes for our beloved Malabueños,” she added.
