Marcos Administration’s 1 Million Houses Per Year program announced a tNational Developers Convention 2022

05 October 2022 – Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Acuzar discussed the details of the Marcos administration's plans for the housing industry on the first day of the 30th National Developers Convention held from October 5 to 6, at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Taguig City

In his keynote speech, Housing Secretary Acuzar introduced the ‘Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program,’ a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that aims to construct a projected one million houses per year in select areas in the country to address the 6.5 million housing backlogs and the two major bottlenecks of affordability and access to funds for housing.

The two-day convention, annually organized by the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA), in partnership with the DHSUD, gathered more than 300 housing sector stakeholders who will be key players in the new administration’s ambitious, affordable and inclusive national housing program. 

“This will mean huge things for housing developers and new areas of synergy between the private sector, the national government, local government units, and local communities,” said SHDA President May Rodriguez, expressing full support for the program.

Through the housing program, partner LGUs may also provide flexible financing options alongside a preferential interest rate of only 1% to make the units affordable to low-income beneficiaries.

Bringing new generation housing luminaries to the fold

Aside from Secretary Acuzar, second-generation property developers delivered their resource speeches to inspire the audience to modernize the way they do their businesses.

The roster of the young and dynamic affordable housing leaders who served as the event’s resource speakers includes Jacinto Ng, Group Executive Officer of the Joy Nostalg Group; Jose Franco B. Soberano, COO of Cebu Landmasters Inc.; Julius Guevarra, Corporate Planning Head of DM Wenceslao and Associate Inc.; Ricardo Lagdameo, President of Damosa Land; Jose Marco Antonio, President and CEO of Century Properties Group Inc; and Gabriel D. Laurel, Strategy Head for the Property Company of Friends (Pro-friends)

Soberano, Ng, and Guevarra have all been pivotal in their respective companies’ explosive growth. In the plenary session "From Good to Great: Insights from Real Estate Developers that Made the Leap,” they relayed these growth stories and the factors that allowed them to break through to their current level of success

Meanwhile, in "Building the Urban Center of the Future," Lagdameo, Antonio, and Laurel discussed their visions for inclusive, sustainable urban centers and shared the qualities of the urban centers that each of them built.

The six real estate leaders, who are all new movers and shakers in today’s Philippine property market, shared their best practices, success stories, and fresh perspectives as private sector developers. They also shared their experience in working hand in hand with the government, bringing in vital insights on the mode of intervention, planning and implementation, and innovations for sustainable housing communities, among others

Later on, SHDA will hold the seventh Housing Expo from October 7 to 9 at the Megatrade Hall 1, Megamall B, Mandaluyong City, to feature an extensive selection of property offerings, construction supplies, and housing and financial services for home buyers and owners. 

About the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA)

The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) is the largest and leading industry association for housing and urban development in the Philippines. With 350 members nationwide and eight regional chapters, SHDA members include the country’s top real estate developers players and a dynamic national network of small and medium developers. SHDA member-developers produce over 80% of homes produced annually in the country, giving SHDA unparalleled reach amongst Philippine homebuyers

Established in 1970, SHDA has over 50 years of continued close linkages with its members, government agencies, and allied professionals and is the leading voice in articulating the advocacy of the housing industry in the Philippines.

Visit here: shda.ph

#shdanatcon2022

UNITED CITY FC TO OFFICIALLY REPRESENT CENTRAL LUZONFIRST UCFC HOME MATCHES HOSTED IN OCTOBER IN NEW CLARK CITY

CAPAS, TARLAC. Philippines Football League (PFL) defending national champion United City Football Club (UCFC) is set to start hosting its official home matches during the ongoing 2022/23 PFL season at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium from October onwards, bringing excitement and live matches to football fans in Central Luzon.

The UCFC home-premier will be against the Azkals Development Team (ADT) led by former Azkals Captain Stephan Schroeck, on October 22 at 4:00pm at the world-class facility at New Clark City, making it the first professional football game to be held at the venue since it was built in 2019. This will be followed by UCFC hosting Stallion Laguna FC on November 5, with ticket sales for both matches going live this week

Through these matches, UCFC demonstrates its commitment to represent Region III and to raise Central Luzon’s banner on the national football scene. 

“To represent Central Luzon and bring football to the local community is a major step in the development of professional football in the country. Football is all about belonging, therefore our matches need to be played within the community we are representing, which is now Clark in Central Luzon,” stated UCFC President Eric M. Gottschalk in the presence of Philippines Football Federation General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes and Central Luzon Football Association President Alvin Yalung, during the signing of the MOU to seal the representation.  “We are proud to have access to the best sports venue in the Philippines when we host our home matches and we look forward to building our community and have our fans attending live matches at this beautiful stadium”. 

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Aileen R. Zosa gave her warm welcome to UCFC, and extended BCDA’s commitment to give the best football experience to the teams playing in New Clark City and their fans. 

“World-class sports facilities, safe environment, and stunning views–New Clark City can offer all of these and more. We are excited that UCFC chose New Clark City Athletics Stadium as the venue for its matches, and we hope to bring pride to players who will be coming to play here,” Zosa said.

UCFC (previously known as Ceres Negros) joined the PFL as one of the founding teams of the professional league in 2017 and has since bagged the national championships four times (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) as well as the Copa Paulino Alcantara 2 times. 

This ongoing PFL Season, which will run until May 2023, UCFC is competing in a quadruple round robin format against six other Club, with the winner to qualify for the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group Stage in August next year. Coming off strong performances against main rival Kaya Iloilo FC, UCFC is the favorite to retain its league title this season. During the December - January winter break, UCFC will start setting-up its Clark based youth academy with different activities also scheduled to take place around the football stadium, before UCFC will kick-off regular team appearances in early 2023 with at least 6 more PFL home games scheduled at NCC.  

Certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the New Clark City Athletics Stadium has a 20,000-seating capacity with a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track surrounding a natural grass pitch, suitable to host local, national and international football competitions to the highest PFF, AFC ad FIFA standards.  

The complex was nominated as among the world’s best stadiums in the Stadium of the Year Awards in 2020. The following year, the facility received the Highly Commended recognition from the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in the Completed Buildings - Sport Category, and was also shortlisted for the Engineering Prize of the same competition.

ABOUT UCFC: United City Football Club (UCFC) is a SEC registered Filipino professional football club company that aims to promote and build values such as equality, diversity, leadership through sports. 

UCFC is a member of the Philippines Football League (PFL), the Philippines' professional level of men's club football in the country and the official representative of the Central Luzon football association. UCFC, formerly known as Ceres-Negros before it changed its name in 2020, is currently the 4x defending national champion in the PFL and 2x winner of the Copa Paulino Alcantara. UCFC is also the 2x Philippines representative on the AFC Champions League group stage level (2021,2022), the biggest Asian football tournament.   

As a mission, the Club stands to help re-invigorate young athletes, families, and the local community through discipline, hard work, and passion. The ambition is further set the gold standard for best practices in SE Asia - be it on the football field, or within the community - and to provide a pathway and equal opportunities for the next generation of young talent in their pursuit of sporting & educational excellence.

UCFC is the most followed professional football club in the Philippines and the only club active on all major social media platforms. Its winning tradition and the ability to bring the best Filipino players to play for UCFC has gained the Club the reputation of being the foremost football club form the Philippines with strong reach into South East Asia and beyond

The Club recently announced its move to Central Luzon to start playing its home matches of the PFL at the world class facilities in New Clark City. 

Further, UCFC  has launched a dedicated 3rd playing kit to mark its move to New Clark City which will feature the orange colors of the Athletics stadium as well as permanent New Clark City branding on the right sleeve. The traditional home and away jerseys in black and gold are currently featuring the symbols of the Clark balloon festival. 

Future plans by UCFC evolve around setting-up the Clubs youth football academy and to build its own football-specific stadium

UCFC Logo meaning: 

The UCFC logo was chosen through a public fan voting and designed by Gerard Andaya of Grit Sports. The new UCFC logo features a circular crest not too different from its original identity of  to acknowledge the roots of the club in Bacolod.  With two (2) stars which pay tribute to the origins of the “Ceres–LaSalle” & “Ceres–Negros” heritage. The center of the logo is “Geometric patterned football” to represent that football is at the center of the club’s existence. The symmetry of the ball stands for “Unity & Stability. And the solid outer circle on the other hand symbolizes the solid fans, being the club’s foundation that holds everything together.  

Upcoming matches at New Clark City: 22 October vs ADT at 4:00pm & 5 November vs Stallion Laguna t 4:00pm; Ticket prices: Pesos: 200.00 grandstand; P150.00 Bleachers; Corporate hospitality and advertising opportunities, kindly inquire through the media officer.

Current UCFC Club Partners:

Allianz, New Clark City Chronos Athletics, Mysport, Klean Athlete, Sportskred

Visit here:www.unitedcityfootballclub

INVESTORS SUMMIT TO PROMOTE QC AS TOP BUSINESS DESTINATION

The highly-anticipated “Quezon City Investors Summit: Future Ready” will promote Quezon City as an ideal destination for investors and businesses as they continue to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The summit will put the spotlight on Quezon City as top business destination for local and international investors. We hope to attract many investors who can help further stimulate the economy and provide employment for QCitizens,” Mayor Belmonte said.

The event will engage investors, business leaders, business associations, chambers of commerce, foreign dignitaries, and Quezon City government officials in discussions on key areas for investments, public-private partnerships and opportunities for expansion and growth.

“Quezon City is future ready, ready for investors, ready to build a better and more prosperous city so that our QCitizens will be able to enjoy the resulting benefits,” said Margarita Santos, head of the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) of Quezon City.

Aside from its strategic location, Quezon City also has the homegrown QC E-Services platform that makes business processes such as permit and license applications easy for investors, according to Santos.

“The LGU has automated and digitized 95 percent of the city’s services through its QC E-Services platform. This means potential investors can apply for business permits online,” said Santos, adding that the “permit will even be delivered to the applicant’s business or home address free of charge.”

As a matter of principle, the Quezon City government constantly consults and coordinates with the business sector, which has enabled both sectors to build a relationship of mutual respect and support. “This continued dialogue with the private sector helps all stakeholders to address various challenges and issues, and to think up ways to create a free, fair and fertile business environment,” Perry Dominguez, head of the Local Economic Investment Promotions Office, points out.

The local government is known as an ardent supporter of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with incentives from tax breaks, tax payment extensions to changing the validity of business permits and licenses to help businesses especially during the pandemic.

Soon, Quezon City will launch its Start-Up QC program to further strengthen and develop the city’s start-up business ecosystem. “This program is calibrated to provide financial gains to innovative, creative and promising business models that can help provide solutions and recommendations to social issues and challenges,” Jay Gatmaitan, Investment Affairs Office head, explained.

The city’s commitment to good governance saw results when the Quezon City government received its second straight unqualified opinion from the Commission on Audit for its annual audit report for the year 2021. An unqualified opinion is the highest audit rating that can be rendered by COA to a government agency.

Recognized for its quality public service, Quezon City has increased its social services budget over the past three years, enabling the local government to provide livelihood opportunities and create more jobs, support education, and provide permanent housing, better healthcare and social safety nets, among others.

Earlier, Margie Santos, head of the summit’s organizing committee, said this gathering of business leaders aims to build investor confidence in Quezon City; generate investments and public-private partnerships and make Quezon City the top of mind preferred investment destination

The 33rd Philippine Travel Mart 2022!

MANILA – The Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), one of the country's longest-running travel exhibitions, will hold its 2022 edition starting Sept. 30.

The expo, which will run until Oct. 2 at SMX Convention Center, will feature more than 200 exhibitors and promises accommodation, flights, as well as, domestic and international travel packages at discounted prices.

"We've been waiting for a long time and now is the perfect time to travel again, support local businesses, and explore the Philippines and beyond," Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu said.

Abling-Yu said the expo this year is targeted to match the PTM held prior to the pandemic. The expo had been staged for the last two years but exhibitors only reached over 50 both in 2020 and 2021.

"Pre-pandemic we had over 200 exhibitors then so parang nandoon na kami sa level na 'yon ngayon exhibitors (So we are a bit close to the pre-pandemic level now)," Abling-Yu said.

The expo's layout features designated zones for various tourism products such as sun and beach, marine sports, cruise; health, wellness, culinary; cultural, farm tourism; entertainment and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

Also included in this year's PTM offers are tour packages in Bali, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh as well as Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, on the sidelines of the PTM launch, said the Philippines could compete with Southeast Asian neighbors and leading tourist destinations in the region.

"If you put our country side by side with our main competitors in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, our offerings are almost the same if not better. In that, we have beaches, natural resources, beautiful people, beautiful products, various destinations," she said.

To further position the country as a top tourist destination, she told stakeholders that the DOT would introduce programs to improve the overall tourist experience in the country.

Aligned with the PTM's 2022 theme "Safe Travels," Frasco also assured travelers that she personally instructed concerned offices to ensure that tourist sites in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are "safe and well-equipped to receive guests".

"We will also provide a convenient and better tourism experience for both foreign and domestic travelers through standardized travel protocols," she said.

"We have reached out to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Quarantine to ensure that our entry protocols are reasonable, are consistent throughout the country, and will encourage, not dissuade, tourists from coming to the Philippines and going from place to place across our country," she added. (PNA)

African and Eurasian Nations Meet in Budapest to Take Steps to Improve the Conservation of Migratory Birds

African and Eurasian Nations Meet in Budapest to Take Steps to Improve the Conservation of Migratory Birds   Budapest, 27 September 2022 - The Eighth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP8) opened in Budapest, Hungary, today.  AEWA MOP8 will be an important policymaking forum ahead of a series of biodiversity-related meetings in the coming months, culminating with the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) co-hosted by China and Canada at the end of the year.   The AEWA Meeting was originally scheduled to take place in October 2021 alongside the One With Nature World of Hunting and Nature Exhibition in Budapest, but had to be postponed.  “Attracting 1.6 million attendees, the One With Nature World of Hunting and Nature Exhibition has been the largest and most successful event in 21st-century Hungary. The protection of our natural assets and environment is a key priority for Hungary, as demonstrated by the fact that we have always been early signatories to the relevant conservation conventions. The Hungarian government regards this as a vital issue, and it therefore welcomes the staging of the AEWA conference in Budapest. This is in itself a historic milestone, being the first time that Hungary has initiated a Meeting of the Parties to a nature conservation convention. We expect more than 200 experts from over 60 countries to attend the conference,” said Dr. Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations. The AEWA meeting is set to be the largest international conference focusing on the conservation of migratory waterbirds in Africa and Eurasia in recent years. Participants will include 52 national delegations from countries that are a Party to AEWA plus the European Union, as well as observer delegations of several non-Party Range States that are in the process of joining the Agreement and a range of non-governmental organizations and waterbird experts from across the African-Eurasian Flyway.  The four-day meeting will be an opportunity for governments to take stock of their collective efforts to implement the UN-backed treaty and to agree on future actions to improve the conservation status of the 255 species of waterbirds listed under AEWA. These include pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks, waders and other waterbirds that have tremendous economic, social, cultural, and recreational value to millions of people living along their flyways – providing meat and eggs for subsistence as well as supporting birdwatching and hunting activities, etc. Yet, migratory waterbirds face a wide range of threats, including habitat loss and degradation, illegal killing and poisoning, especially by lead gunshot, pollution, and climate change, and their conservation can only be achieved through international cooperation under the legal framework and practical guidelines developed under AEWA.  According to the latest Conservation Status Report being presented at this meeting, 43 per cent of AEWA's waterbird populations are in long-term decline and 33 AEWA species are globally threatened by extinction. “The world is facing a triple planetary crisis – the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss; and the crisis of pollution and waste. Each of these crises presents a roadblock in flyway conservation and therefore, sustainable funding, compliance and strengthened implementation of AEWA are absolutely critical,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in her opening statement to AEWA MOP8. The meeting in the Hungarian capital will be held under the theme: Strengthening Flyway Conservation in a Changing World and will cover a plethora of topics related to the future conservation and sustainable use of migratory waterbirds covered by the treaty.   “The theme of AEWA MOP8 captures the need for countries in Africa and Eurasia to step up and come together to use this important meeting to make collective decisions that will ensure stronger implementation and delivery of the Agreement in the years to come,” said Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of AEWA.  AEWA lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures and their implementation is guided by means of a Strategic Plan and a targeted Plan of Action for Africa. Both plans are designed so that their implementation contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Global Biodiversity Targets. “AEWA is and will be an important instrument for countries to make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Member States will finalize at the end of this year,” said Inger Andersen. The meeting in Hungary will review three separate reports on AEWA’s contribution to the Aichi Targets 2011 – 2020, Opportunities for AEWA to Support the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework as well as a report outlining the relevance of AEWA to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. At MOP8 delegates will also be presented with new Complimentary guidelines on climate change adaptation measures for waterbirds, which builds on existing AEWA guidance on the topic and provides new, practical guidance on how countries can better plan climate change adaptation measures using state-of-the-art tools. A total of 16 resolutions will be considered for adoption by AEWA Parties at MOP8, including on: Single Species Action and Management Plans, Conservation Guidelines, the inventory and monitoring of the AEWA Flyway Site Network, Synergies in Addressing Causes of Waterbird Mortality,  Improving the Base Knowledge Waterbird Conservation, Ecotourism, AEWA’s Contribution to past and future Global Biodiversity Targets and Monitoring of Waterbirds. AEWA delegates will also consider a number of reports such as the 8th AEWA Conservation Status Report (CSR), an Analysis of AEWA National Reports and the implementation of the AEWA Plan of Action for Africa and a progress report on the implementation of the AEWA strategic plan. A special award ceremony will take place on the final day of the meeting (30 September at 9:00 – 10:00 AM CET) during which the AEWA Waterbird Conservation Awards will be presented to a selected individual as well as one institution that has made a significant contribution towards the long-term conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds in the African-Eurasian region. Another award will recognize an institution as a Migratory Species Champion Plus for its support for initiatives that benefit migratory waterbird conservation. A total of 15 side events on a wide range of topics will take place on the third day of the meeting (29 September). The side events as well as the opening of the conference and the award ceremony on the final day will be open to the media.

Ceremonial signing of technology licensing agreements between DOST and Bulacan's LGUs and MSMEs

Inaugural national survey to understand the role of Filipinas in engineering launched

The Women in Engineering baseline survey aims to gather data about gender disparity. 

The Philippine government has earmarked P1.29 trillion for infrastructure, the second largest outlay in its proposed P5.24 trillion 2023 national budget.  

This reflects the critical role that continued development, improvement, and expansion of infrastructure will have on our economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.  

It is well known the Philippines has a higher degree of parity between men and women in the economy, particularly in managerial roles. But how strong a role do Filipino women play in the key disciplines related to infrastructure, such as engineering and construction?  

First Nationwide Survey About Women in Engineering  

For the first time ever, several reputable national organizations will seek to answer that question.  

Recently, the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines Young Professionals Forum (CECOPHIL-YPF), partnered with the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Women in Infrastructure Foundation (WIFI) and Geoladies PH, launched the first-ever Philippines National Women in Engineering survey.  

This historic survey seeks to collect statistical and qualitative data from women engineers, affiliated professionals, and their employers, which could serve as a roadmap to produce programs and policies to promote gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity in the sector. It focuses on perspectives on how women are perceived in the workplace, key gender issues in engineering, and if there are adequate gender-related policies in the workplace. 

“There is a glass ceiling that might not currently be there on paper but is visible in the social and economic pressures it creates it for women. We want to do something about it. We want to understand where we are right now, and so we want to hear from women engineers,” said CECOPHIL-YPF Chairperson Atty. Jean Jacquelyn Nathania De Castro. 

More Women Needed in Key STEM Roles 

The Philippine Council of Women, in its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Plan 2019-2025, recognized the lack of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In a 2019 report, the National Economic and Development Authority said less than 7% of women are employed in the construction industry but did not provide data on whether those women are employed in managerial or entry positions. 

There is lack of current, focused statistical data on how large the gender gap in the infrastructure industry might be. What issues do women who are in, or have tried to get into, engineering and construction face? What are the challenges that they face in career progression and promotion?  Without knowing how high the glass ceiling is, how can policymakers decide where to start making cracks so that women can play an equal role in developing our built environment? 

“Every one of us, men and women, play a vital role in the construction industry. This survey will serve as a starting point in coming up with programs and policies that will further elevate the role of women,” said Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) Executive Director-In-Charge Doris Gacho. The CIAP and the Federation of ASEAN Consulting Engineers have both expressed their endorsement of the survey.  

The survey has been coursed through several key organizations to gather respondents from all fields of the construction sector. CECOPHIL-YPF, along with its partners from the CIAP, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, and Urban Land Institute Philippines have reached out to contractors, consultants, and developers to encourage their employees to answer the survey and share their experiences. 

“We may not be conscious about it but having women in STEM poses a huge advantage for businesses. Women’s involvement and leadership in STEM pushes economic growth and advances gender equality," said PHI Corporation President and CEO Mary Joy Maraat. PHI Corporation serves as the third-party consultant for the survey. 

Qualified individual engineers and allied professionals who were not able to participate through their affiliated organizations have also been invited to answer a public survey.  

More information about the methodology and scope of the survey can be found on PHI Corporation’s website (https://www.phicorpglobal.com/womeninengineering).