Jan 04 2010
2009 YP Workshop Highlights
Sustainable development, social housing, and water and sanitation issues tackled in lecture sessions
The lecture sessions of the YP Workshop introduced participants to a comprehensive background on social housing and the different topics that are associated with it, from the broad context of sustainable human settlements development to the discussion of issues that urban poor communities face in their struggle for shelter security. Lecture topics were grouped into three sessions on the first day of the workshop: Design Professionals and Sustainable Human Settlements Development; Tools and Approaches to Social Housing; and Young Professionals and Communities as Collaborative Partners in Building Sustainable Communities.
Dr. Laura David provided a keynote presentation on “Climate, The Environment, and Our Future” while Architect Ning Encarnacion-Tan gave a lecture on “Sustainable Design and Sustainable Communities.” The staff of TAO-Pilipinas served as resource persons for the various topics on social housing, including standards in social housing provision and design; participatory design approaches; and alternative building materials and technologies.
On the second day of lecture sessions, participants were exposed to different levels of discussion about Water and Sanitation (WATSAN), from a global perspective to the implementation of local projects for poor communities. Four sessions on WATSAN were held with various resource persons from government and non-government agencies. Session topics were categorized into: The Water and Sanitation Challenge for Young Professionals; Water Supply Availability, Management and Sustainability; Urban Sanitation Systems; and Water and Sanitation Options for Urban Poor Communities. Among the speakers who gave presentations were: Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling of UP-Diliman; Mr. Dave Robbins of Philippine Sanitation Alliance; Engr. Sonabel Anarna of DOH; Ms. Cherubim Ocampo of Maynilad Water Services; Dr. Gulliermo Tabios III of National Hydraulic Research Center; Ms. Lyn Capistrano of the Philippine Center for Water and Sanitation; and Mr. Leo De Castro of the Center for Advanced Philippine Studies.
Community workshops on water and sanitation and community action planning process facilitated by YPs
The workshop participants who were grouped into three teams conducted participatory community consultations as part of the practicum training for the YP Workshop on Social Housing. Prior to commencing their community immersion work, the teams were given an orientation on facilitating the community consultations. Materials and visual aids to be used for the community workshops were also prepared beforehand. In coordination with DAMPA community organizers, consultations were mobilized in the three areas – UNNAI, in Brgy. Commonwealth, Quezon City; Bicol and Chungkang Area in Brgy. Tanza, Navotas City; and MASAGANA in Brgy. Tanza, Navotas City. Around 30 community members participated in the consultations in each of the areas.
In each of the community, YP teams were responsible for moderating a series of focus group discussions (FGD) among three community sectors represented — women, men and youth groups. The consultations focused on the community’s housing situation and access to basic services. The YP teams were able to facilitate the following FGD topics: Water Supply Assessment, Sanitation Management Assessment, Problem Tree Analysis, Resources Mapping, and Community Visioning. All these were done to draw out ideas for a community self-improvement project where the YPs may support the community’s efforts in terms of technical assistance. The community consultations ended with identifying a community micro-project proposal and the detailing of a project activity plan with the community.
The results of the community workshops were documented by the YP teams as part of their community immersion outputs to be shared in a plenary presentation.
YPs present community micro-project proposals before panel of reactors
After carrying out their field work activities for the YP Workshop, the YP teams developed community micro-project proposals for the community areas they were assigned in. Three project proposals were developed by the YP teams: improvement of the drainage canals in UNNAI; cooperative water supply connection in Bicol Area, Tanza; and construction of elevated pathways in MASAGANA, Tanza. These were presented before a panel of reactors composed of Arch. Romeo Santos of UP-Diliman, Arch. Maria Luisa Daya-Garcia of Green Advocates Philippines, and Engr/EnP. Aldrin Plaza.
The teams followed a template for presenting the proposals that included discussion of Introduction and Background; Statement of the Problem; Preferred Solution; Goals, Objectives and Outcomes; Work Plan and Timetable; Project Management; and Proposed Budget. An open forum followed each presentation by the YP teams and the panel gave their critiques and recommendations on improving the project proposals.
On the proposal for drainage canal improvement, the panel recommended that the project design factor in sustainability and protection of water bodies by considering the final discharge of outflows from the canals. They also advised for a more thorough study of the site topography so that appropriate design schemes may be developed. For the proposal for a cooperative water supply connection, the panel suggested developing the database for targeting households without water connection and setting criteria for the selection of beneficiaries. In the proposal for the construction of elevated pathways, the panel advised to study the appropriate use of bamboo as pathwalk material in saline waters. They also recommended considering the provision of safe utility lines and setting the right height for the pathways.
YP volunteer groups formed to help implement community micro-projects
The YP teams formed during the YP Workshop on Social Housing have mobilized themselves as volunteer groups to help implement the community micro-projects that we were proposed in the workshop. The three groups are now working with their respective community partners to work out the details of the projects. TAO-Pilipinas has also set up project funds to provide assistance to carry out the proposed projects.
In the UNNAI project team are Jose Larino Bengson, Razel Robines, Jayson Cruzat, and John Anthony Sayson. In the Bicol-Chungkang project team are Gloryrose Dy, Cherry May Mateo, John Michael Lumbang, and Rowel Lucilo. In the MASAGANA project team are Christina Fiel, Verna Lucia Sarraga, and Jesmar Joseph Catuiran.
The community micro-projects are targeted to be completed by March 2010.
