Theme" “One Vision, One Direction, One UAP”

            I couldn&rsquot help but smile when I learned of your theme for this year. “One Direction.” Parang pop rock boy band na pinakikinggan ng mga apo ko. Pero nagpapasalamat ako na mukha naman yatang marami akong kasin dito – mga kasing-tanda.

            Levity aside, I wish to thank Architect Odet Bongato for his gracious invitation. It is my honor to join the United Architects of the Philippines on your third annual convention. While I am your Vice President, my duties also include the Chairmanship of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). Being charged not just with housing but with the sustainable and rational urbanization of key areas grants me the honor to speak with you regarding our goals, our direction for the nation. And like your fortuitous theme, that vision and direction is one with yours. My dear friends,

            When I was still the chief executive of Makati, I dreamed that the Makati skyline would one day take its place alongside the majestic and iconic images of Hong Kong or New York City. That mission is now continued by my son, who has outdone his predecessors.

            My current dreams are of greater scope and higher planes. These are not just my own, but of the millions of Filipinos who toil to obtain what eludes them to this day. I speak of the aspiration of every Filipino family to have a house in which they can build a home of their own.

            The housing gap that the years have accrued is not insignificant and we speak only of the backlog, not the increases in demand moving forward. While we have made solid progress over the past three years, we have miles to go before we see the job completed. If we are to close this chasm, then we must work quickly to remedy what is ineffective or insufficient against the hurdles we face. If an agenda of hope is to govern housing, then it is time that innovations in technology and synergies invigorate the ways we do things.

            With the rapidly shifting future firmly in mind,we must transcend mere housing and move towards sustainable housing. The realities of climate change and fuel sources must drive us to establish communities that are resilient and self-sufficient.As we continue to sort out the urbanization of our capital cities, we must also devote deep purpose towards bringing development to more areas across the country.

            This challenge to scatter urbanization across a wider area will exact every last drop of our resolve. In rising to this, the cooperation between private sector developers, the LGUs,and urban planners proves to be the road to redemption. This multi-sectoral approach should continue to be an integral component of all our policy and planning efforts. Here and now, I extend my personal invitation for your organization to join us in this pursuit.

            Let us strengthen this cooperation by joining our heads and our skills with those from other local and international organizations that profoundly understand urban development and housing in the light of modern demands. If we all seek to move in one direction towards one vision, then let us move based on plans forged not by a few but by all who can contribute to a lasting and effective remedy.

            In this light, we are exploring a program that shall lead to the construction of more housing units for the poor and underprivileged. Called The Working People’s Shelter Program, this endeavor applies a more intensive public-private partnership for the creation of more sustainable communities around the country. HUDCC is eager to share the details of this endeavor with all interested groups, and I urge you to examine the immense potential that this vehicle holds.

            It is our greatest hope that these moves among many others show that the government’s plan as contained in the Philippine Development Plan, is not isolated or detached from the programs and plans of the private sector. We share common and noble desires for the nation-- to improve the lives of our countrymen and give them firm ground on which they can build the future they seek. As the past years revealed, the private sector is an eager partner in development and with the passing of time, our partnerships for common good grow in both strength and number. These collaborations between the HUDCC, the key shelter agencies, and the private and public development partners as such your organization are the sine qua non of seeing truly humane communities spring forth from modest foundations.

            Another recent development which I am pleased to share with you is an effort between the suppliers of housing materials, through the Federation of Philippine Industries,and our developers’ associations. They have agreed to hold a round table discussion with HUDCC every six months. The goal is to generate concrete strategies to bring down the construction costs so as to make housing more affordable and sustainable.

            I ask the United Architects of the Philippines and its members to lend their concrete support by making extensive use of the Accredited Innovative Technologies for Housing in the various buildings, homes and structures you design. AITECH is a body under the leadership of both HUDCC and the NHA which promotes housing technologies and design by Filipino proponents. These eco-friendly technologies are cost-effective and form a confident step towards making our architecture greener. This advocacy is not new and architects like the esteemed Bobby Mañosa have long applied these principles to their illustrious portfolio of work, both here and abroad. Let us capitalize on this compendium of wisdom and use what nature and our heritage have handed down as guideposts as we conquer the developmental frontiers before us.

            More than utilizing innovative technologies, we should reinvigorate our efforts to develop new ones that boast even greater efficiencies at reduced costs. As more and more structures make use of these inventions, economies of scale shall come into play to make green technology accessible to even the most modest home. To those who shall answer this call, you can be assured that we will support developers who provide or use such solutions; and we will continue to educate communities on how these innovations are critical if we wish to secure a sustainable future.

            Along this path, let us not let our supreme goal fade in the details. Let us resist the temptation to base our success solely on the houses we complete. It is just and timely that we rush to provide proper housing units at the soonest in the areas of greatest need. But let us be reminded that whatever progress we gain is but a means to a far greater end.The renowned Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi said it best: “Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.”

            Each house we complete is more than a roof above the heads of our people. It is a sanctuary where our countrymen find not just shelter but true life. Each structure is a place where they can raise their families safely and lovingly,where the next generation of Filipinos can be formed in an environment of dignity and decency. Within four walls, the hope we seek to rekindle in every soul can once again burn and spread. And we shall not stop until the spirits of our less fortunate brethren are set ablaze.

            While the challenge appears daunting, the fruits outweigh any difficulty we shall address. Guided by our singular vision,and spurred by our concerted efforts, we will – as the architects who have designed skyscrapers have shown us – defy gravity.

            Thank you very much.

            Mabuhay kayong lahat!