The Philippines is one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the Southeast Asian
Region. Since the 1950s, millions have migrated from rural areas to the cities in search of
better job opportunities (World Bank 2016). According to the World Urbanization
Prospects 2011 (United Nations 2012), the country is now 50% urban, and by 2025 this
proportion is expected to be 80%. Metro Manila shows continuing primacy when
comparing its level of urbanization levels to other regions of the country.
Urbanization is one ofthe most significant drivers ofdevelopment as it can provide
a pathway out of poverty and act as an engine of growth (World Bank 2016). However,
accelerated urbanization increases also the demand for housing, basic services and
functional transport systems. In the absence of government's intervention, rapid
urbanization leads to high levels of urban poverty and rapid expansion of unplanned urban
settlements and slums.
Though a number of programs have been developed in the Philippines to solve the
housing crisis, they have had little impact in resolving the housing needs (World Bank
2016). Due to the magnitude ofthe problem, the housing program remains inadequate and
unable to provide a solution at the scale and quality needed.