Photo exhibit to show state of informal settlers in the city

CEBU, Philippines - The city government joins the World Habitat Day today through a photo exhibit featuring a visual presentation of the state of informal settlers in the city.

The exhibit will run for one week starting today at the lobby of the City Hall’s Legislative Building.

The exhibit features selected photos taken by Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the City Council Committee on Housing, during his visits to slum communities.

“It will be my first photo exhibition featuring selected photos I’ve taken during my regular visits in the slums and poor communities where people lack security of tenure, basic utilities, health care services, access to gainful employment and are most at risk to disasters wrought by climate change,” Dizon said.

He said the exhibit seeks to raise awareness among other local government units that good governance is an essential tool in addressing the concerns of informal settlers, especially if the urban poor are involved in the policy and decision making process.

“The right of the urban poor to be a part of the city and participate as full citizen must be affirmed,” Dizon said.

The exhibit will be launched at 1pm today.

The World Habitat Day is celebrated every first Monday of October. It is being observed around the globe to encourage everyone to reflect on the state and development direction of the towns and cities and the basic right of all to decent and adequate shelter.

This year’s World Habitat Day is dubbed as “Cities and Climate Change.”

“The real challenge now for the urban government is to re-assess its development thrusts and work on improving access to decent shelter, basic services and safe public spaces to make cities not only improve the lives of individuals but ensure their fundamental right to safe and secure living,” the City Council said in a resolution passed last Wednesday urging support to all LGUs to implement programs for the urban poor. —(FREEMAN)