ABOUT

A technical service organization for housing and settlements development by self-help and non-profit groups.

ALTERPLAN was incorporated in 1990 by a group of young architects/planners whose vision was a just and democratic Philippines with an environment that is nurturing of its citizens. The group realized in the course of its work with people’s organizations and NGOs in different regions that the role of architects and planners was not so much to design and build structures, but to work towards conditions in the natural and the built environment that are supportive of people’s aspirations.

 ALTERPLAN has a small core staff headed by its Executive Director. To implement its multi-faceted programs, ALTERPLAN maintains working relations with experts and specialists who are regularly tapped for particular project tasks and areas of competence such as training, curriculum development, settlement design, cooperative development, community mobilization, and financial planning and management.

Our Philosophy

ALTERPLAN is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization that undertakes projects, programs and research concerning space and the built environment as integral components or focal points for community development. As a technical service organization, Alterplan works in partnership with community-based organizations and other non-profit  organizations in building their capacities to analyze, implement, plan and steer area-based development. ALTERPLAN works with organizations to upgrade housing provision and  neighborhood amenities, examine resettlement areas, and plan for attaining land tenure. Through networking with other NGOs, community associations and LGUs, and with extensive past experience, ALTERPLAN is able to operate in various regions of the country.

 ALTERPLAN’s services generally fall under capacity building for community associations, cooperatives, NGOs and local governments. By providing services designed to respond to the capacities of its partner organizations, ALTERPLAN contributes to these groups’ understanding of spatial development and its role in community and individual development.

The housing situation in the PHILIPPINES is characterized by a growing population, a disorganized land market and a much-layered land tenure system. This translates to a lack of affordable housing that reduces the living standard of the poor and contributes to the growth of informal settlements, also known as squatter settlements.

In places such as squatter settlements where there is uncertain legal status of the land, urban infrastructure is weak or non-existent because local authorities are unwilling or unable to make adequate capital investments. As of 2002, the percentage of households that remain without access to safe water supply, sanitary toilet facilities, or secure tenure continues to hover at 20% of the total number of households nationwide. Water authorities, for instance, refuse to extend water networks to housing areas where legal status is uncertain.

This leaves residents with the burden of getting water from a considerable distance or from a delivery service at a higher price than piped water.

Shortages of affordable housing also constrain gainful employment when people have to travel a long distance to their place of employment.  High public transport costs to less expensive residences in the suburbs eat up major portions of already inadequate earnings, pushing low-paid workers to set up makeshift housing within the city limits. Such provisional housing often becomes part of permanent, poorly-serviced settlements.

With a poverty rate of more than 28% in a population of 84 million, providing affordable housing in livable environments will remain a challenge for years to come.