Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

Chapter
5
LocalEfforts
in Housing Provision
Anicia C. Sayos, Ross Q. Quisao and Rosario G. Manasan
Introduction
urbanization, resulting in a number of serious problems.
.These n some placed cities, economic extreme pressure growth opportunities on urban services accelerated and
infrastructure. Some of the urgent tasks that local government units
(LGUs) in urbanized areas now face include coping with the demands
of increased employment opportunities; insufficient housing
(aggravated by high rental and land costs); congestion, pollution and
other forms of environmental deterioration, lack of health and
sanitation facilities as well as of peace and order. With the passage ot
the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160) in 1991, managing
local projects to ease these urban problems has become more
challenging. The Act mandates LGUs to discharge functions and
responsibilities previously performed by national agencies in the
delivery of basic services and facilities, including low-cost housin_
projects. The Code specifically states:
Chapter 2. - Section 17 (a) "Local government units shall
endeavor to be serf-reliant and shall condnue exercising the
powers and discharging the duties and functions currently
vested upon them. They shall also discharge the functions
and responsibilities of national agencies and offices devolved
to them pursuant to this Code. Local government shall
likewise exercise such other powers and discharge such other
functions and responsibilities as are necessary, appropriate,
or incidental to efficient and effective provision of the basic
services and facilities enumerated herein.