SHANGHAI, China — Vice President and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Noli “Kabayan” De Castro opened Friday the country’s participation at the 2010 World Expo here in Shanghai.
De Castro said the launch formally commenced the Philippine Fora series which will feature discussions on the Philippine experience in promoting urbanization with a human face and the opening of the Philippine Pavilion which will “highlight the nature of Philippine cities: Welcoming. Exuberant. And always in performance.”
The Philippine Fora series which will be held for the duration of the Shanghai Expo from May to October 2010, will relate and share to the world the Philippine experiences and success stories and challenges in promoting better cities and better lives, the theme of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.
“The fora will utilize the five basic themes that provide structure to the National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) — urban competitiveness, poverty reduction, housing affordability and delivery, sustainable communities, and performance oriented governance,” De Castro pointed out.
The NUDHF serves as the “primary guide for policy-makers, planners, and implementors toward the successful achievement of a common dream for sustainable housing and urban development.”
Also invited to discuss how the NUDHF works at the horizontal and vertical level of governance are various stakeholders from the business sector represented by Arturo Corpuz of the Philippine Economic Society and Ayala Land Inc., the civil society represented by former DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun, and the local government represented by Taguig City Mayor SigfredoTinga.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Pavilion in the World Expo revolves around the theme “Performing Cities!” drawing attention to the human dimensions of building a city toward urbanization. With 2,000 square meters, it is also the biggest pavilion the Philippines ever had. “The pavilion will utilize video presentations about the performance of our cities in governance, environment, bankability, livability and competitivess, and good and vibrant festivals,“ De Castro said.
The Shanghai Expo is dubbed the largest ever, covering a 538-hectare land area and targeting 70 million visitors and 238 international participants.