By Neela G. Duallo

City of Mati, Davao Oriental (27 November) -- Housing experts and other stakeholders will converge in the City of Mati for a 2-day Housing Summit on Dec. 3 and 4, 2008, in compliance to the thrust of the city government to provide a descent dwelling place for the people of Mati.

With the theme "Strengthening the Foundation of Accessible and Integrated Housing," the Summit is designed to consolidate various programs and activities relative to housing concerns and the direction towards which the local and national government along with other sectors are geared.

The housing summit will tackle relevant matters on housing such as " Shelter Framework', "Housing Challenges in the Context of Mindanao Urbanization", "Resource, Mobilization and Housing Finance", "Program Delivery and Multi-Stakeholders Participation", "Building People's Organizations, Building Communities: A Continuing Learning Experience', "Institutionalized PO-NGO-LGU Collaboration Towards Inclusive Livability", "Emerging Shelter Challenges", and "Mitigating Disasters and Urbanization", are Engr. Mario Luis Jacinto, City Planning Officer of Davao City, Engr. Carolina Angel from the Nat'l Housing Authority,, Mr. Damaso Vertido, Ms. Annie Sundalo of Code Foundation, Incorporated, Ms. Ma. Luisa Jacinto, Board of Director of Davao Light and Power Company, and Engr. Danilo Versola from the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

The Mati City Housing and Resettlement Office will also deliver its report on "Framework, Targets and Performance".

City Housing Officer Ma. Eden Thelma Franco-Quiñones said that the direction of the city government is very clear, that Matinians will have a decent place to live, a humble abode where the families build their dreams and make them into reality.

"That is why we want housing issue to be brought up in the Summit," she said.

An open forum is scheduled on the second day of the Summit, and workshops will be given to participants to grasp their vivid picture on the substance of the activity.

Congresswoman Thelma Almario of the 2nd District of Davao Oriental, Gov. Corazon Malanyaon, and Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat will also deliver messages relevant to the pursuit of Davao Oriental and City of Mati in the provision of one of the basic necessities of men, while Vice-Governor Mayo Almario will deliver a challenge call to all participants and stakeholders, expectedly on the sustainability of the endeavors towards attainable and sustainable housing.

With the citihood status problem confronting Mati, Mayor Michelle Rabat has only some words to say for Mati.

"Mati, whether a city or a municipality, is the place, and will always be the place for us, Matinians. This is where we belong. And we plan to make Mati a better place to live," she said.

Code Foundation Incorporation will facilitate the Housing Summit.