Good morning.
            Let me start by sharing with you an anecdote I read about competition.
            A group of chickens was in the yard when a basketball flew over the fence and landed in their midst.
            A rooster waddled over, studied the basketball, and said: “I’m not complaining, ladies, but look at the size of the eggs they’re producing next door.”
            Obviously, the rooster was not aware that he was comparing eggs with basketballs. For him, it’s all about turning out a better egg.
            This morning, we have with us some very engaging design entries. I am quite confident that with the caliber and stature of your judges, no one will be comparing eggs with basketballs.
            But levity aside, the fact that we are holding such a design competition underscores the growing awareness within the architectural profession of the relevance of design in the war against global warming.
            But while we do have awareness, and I would say such an awareness has spread worldwide, we still face the challenge of translating awareness into policy and concrete action.
            I am reminded of the remarks made by former US Vice President Al Gore, who received the Nobel peace prize for his environmental advocacy. He said that while awareness of global warming has increased dramatically in recent years, he is reluctant to call his advocacy successful.
            According to Mr. Gore, the policies and laws with regards to global warming still have not changed and emissions continue to rise.
            As a result, we continue to suffer the consequences of the climate crisis.

            I assure you that under our new President Benigno Aquino, the policy framework needed to better address the climate crisis will be instituted.
            In fact, such a framework has already been introduced in the housing sector, where I sit as chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council or HUDCC.
            The housing sector would like to focus on building green shelters nestled in sustainable communities.
            I speak of shelters that are resilient to the natural elements, shelters that are considered green in composition and design, and contribute to preserving and even improving the environment.
            Shelters like the ones that we have here today.
            I was very delighted to hear that the winning design will be constructed as a prototype disaster-resistant and livable eco-village in Quezon City, and that the finished project will provide shelter for low-income families.
            Many people have this notion that green shelters are luxuries that only a privileged few can afford. There is also the notion that the technology to build green shelters is available only in developed countries.
            The successful implementation of this project will help show home-owners, architects, and policy-makers that green shelters and sustainable communities are not only doable but viable as well.
            As the national government embarks on a path of promoting green shelters, we cannot overemphasize the importance of having partners from the private sector who share not only our vision but our passion to make things happen.
            I am confident we can count on the organizers of this competition, namely MyShelter Foundation, the United Architects of the Philippines, the Philippine White Helmets, and of course, Corporate Partners headed by San Miguel Corporation.
            Together, we can work together not only in building green shelters and sustainable communities, but in helping ordinary Filipinos realize their dreams of having a house that they call their own.

            Thank you.​