PCUP, govt agencies forge partnership for Mindanao urban poor

IN an initiative to expand support for urban poor communities and promote inclusive development, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) officially signed an agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Region 9, Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region 9, and the Confederation of Zamboanga City Homeowners Association Inc.

The agreement signing took place at the Philippine Red Cross Conference Room, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur on March 28, 2025. It was signed by Tarhata Mapandi, regional director of Tesda; Federico Laxa, regional director of SHFC; Ferdinand Iman, chief of operations of PCUP Field Operations Division for Mindanao; Roland Eta, OIC-regional director of DHSUD; and Lourdes Eraham, president of the Confederation of Zamboanga City Homeowners Association Inc.

The goal of the agreement would be to promote inclusive growth and equal empowerment through collaboration between government agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen the capacities of urban poor communities and Socialized Housing Homeowners Associations. The agreement covers projects that would provide livelihood programs, skills training under Tesda, affordable housing from SHFC, and housing and urban development initiatives from DHSUD.

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT The PCUP has signed an agreement with the Tesda Region 9, SHFC, DHSUD Region 9, and the Confederation of Zamboanga City Homeowners Association Inc. to help improve the quality of life for families in urban poor communities. PHOTO FROM PCUP

"The collaboration among these agencies is a vital step to ensure that the urban poor truly feel the services of the government. Our goal is to provide them with opportunities for a better future," said Iman of PCUP.