The thesis evaluates the implementation of participatory planning in the settlements upgrading projects par of ACCA Program from ACHR whch was implementedin Barangay Batasan Hills and Payatas respectively in 2009 and 2011. There have been a lot of similar projects taking place in Quezon City, however this particular project offers a more community driven approach through an affordable financing scheme, which is community savings. Previous experiences showed that the application of the three approaches offered through this project: settlements upgrading, participatory planning and community savings, correspondingly bring some setbacks which were necessary to be addressed. The research was designed as a case study with descriptive exploratory and ex-post evaluation. Some limitations such as the dependency on the informants’ recollection on the particular projects as well as selection of case study may influence the depth of analysis performed for the study.
The study found that the application of these three approaches work well together, but the main issues resolved around the loan repayment for the upgrading project with community savings, passive behavior of some community members in response to participatory approach and tenure agreement to support upgrading project. However, to briefly conclude, the particular settlements upgrading projects had considered various participatory planning requirements which wer addressed, understood, implemented and monitored by all participants starting from preparation, process, implementation, to output and outcome. The recommendations were then prescribed with a focus on the improved management of funds for savings and loan repayment through a strong organizational structure in community association.