PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR THE URBAN POOR

Mandate

Pursuant to Executive Order No. 82 dated December

8, 1986, PCUP serves as the direct link of the urban poor to the
government in policy formulation and program implementation
addressed to their needs.

Functions:

 To coordinate the speedy implementation of

government policies and programs for the poor;
 To set up a consultative mechanism which shall
provide a forum for continuing dialogue between the
government and the urban poor on the proper planning and
evaluation of programs and projects affecting them;
 To accredit legitimate urban poor organizations for
purposes of representation in the formulation of
recommendations to the President;
 To review existing legislations, policies and programs
of the government relating to the urban poor, in consultation
with the latter, and recommend appropriate actions thereon to
the President;
 To evaluate post and on-going shelter-related
projects of the government in squatter and resettlement areas
in consultation with beneficiary communities, and recommend
appropriate actions thereon to the President;
 To help coordinate the various activities and services
being rendered by the different government organizations and
non-government organizations for the urban poor;
 To plan and monitor programs and projects for the
development of urban poor communities in coordination with
the agencies involved;
 To request the assistance of any ministry, bureau,
office or agency in the performance of its functions;
 To facilitate the funding of urban poor programs and
projects both from foreign and domestic fund sources; and
  To perform such other functions as may be
authorized by the President of the Philippines.

On March 29, 2012, His Excellency President Benigno S.

Aquino III, issued Executive Order No.69 Strengthening the
Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor. The EO
transferred PCUP to the Office of the President to effectively
coordinate, formulate and evaluate policies and programs
concerning the urban poor. It provides for the following
strengthened functions of PCUP:

 To undertake social preparation activities related to

asset reform, human development and basic social services,
employment and livelihood, other programs of the government
for the urban poor;

 To participate in policy discussions relating to the

urban poor in board meetings of the HUDCC, Key Shelter
Agencies (KSA), Local Housing Boards (LHB) or other similar
bodies;

 To submit quarterly reports to the Office of the

President, relative to the status of compliance with the
provisions of EO 69 and the pertinent provision of the law
governing eviction and demolition activities.

Brief History

Poverty has always been in our midst. Concerted efforts by

different sectors barely scratch its surface, hence, it remains a
pressing problem.

The influx of migrants from rural to urban areas in the 1960s

magnified the worsening situation of the poor, particularly the
urban poor. The fear of ejection and violence haunted them as
they struggled for their place in society. When their situation
worsened during the 1980s, urban poor groups banded
together in search of possible solutions to their problems as
well as opportunities for consultation on matters that affect
them.

On April 10, 1986, a significant number of urban poor marched

to Malacañang asking for a moratorium on demolitions. It was
then that the Presidential Arm on Urban Poor Affairs (PAUPA)
was created. This was subsequently changed to Presidential
Committee for the Urban Poor (PCUP) as a result of a National
Consultation Workshop by two major urban poor alliances on
May 30-June 2, 1986.

The name Presidential Council for the Urban Poor was later
adopted in lieu of the Presidential Committee for the Urban
Poor.

Finally, on December 8, 1986, the Presidential Commission for

the Urban Poor was created by President Corazon C. Aquino
through Executive Order No. 82 “to serve as a direct link of the
urban poor to the government in policy formulation and
program implementation addressed to their needs”.

Significant gains were attained but the advent of urbanization

lured more people to the metropolis and compounded the
problem. Eighteen years later, on September 27, 2004,
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, issued Executive Order No.
364, transforming the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
into the Department of Land Reform (DLR) which now includes
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and
the PCUP to take charge of ancestral domain reform and urban
land reform, respectively.

Vision, Mission & Objectives

Vision

A society where everyone enjoys adequate shelter and food

security, a healthy and safe environment, a productive,
sustained and freely chosen employment, and full and equal
participation in sustainable development.
Mission

 To fulfill its vision, PCUP vows to:

 strengthen coordination and monitoring for the
speedy implementation of government programs and policies
for the urban poor;
 increase accreditation of legitimate urban poor
organizations for purposes of representation and policy
formulation; and
 improve management for a more efficient, effective
and ethical operations.

Objectives

 To increase the opportunity of the urban poor to

access land and housing and other basic services as provided
for in RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act
(UDHA)of 1992, Executive Order No. 131, Memorandum Order
No. 74, and Executive Order No. 371;
 To ensure the conduct of just and humane
demolition/eviction in accordance with the UDHA and Executive
Order No. 152;
 To provide technical assistance to the agencies
tasked to implement Executive Order No. 153;
 To institutionalize consultative mechanisms to ensure
urban poor participation in governance;
 To facilitate delivery of basic services to the urban
poor sector; and
 To strengthen its coordinative task to effectively
oversee and monitor the implementation of urban land reform.

Programs

ACCESS TO LAND AND HOUSING

This includes assistance given to families in identifying,
acquiring, and occupying lands, as well as housing programs
and projects.

CONSULTATION
The focus is on quality consultations with urban poor
communities to surface and validate vital issues and needs, and
formulate corresponding policy recommendations. This
includes continuous dialogues with urban poor organizations,
government and non-government agencies, and the private
sector to promote a greater understanding of urban poverty
and gain a concerted effort in the fight against poverty.

POLICY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION

This involves review of existing legislation, policies and
programs of the government relating to the urban poor,
especially shelter-related ones, and formulate
recommendations thereto. Advocacy towards the
implementation and passage of urban poor related policies and
legislation is a component of this program.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

This program includes monitoring urban poor issues and
concerns raised by the sector and acted upon by concened
agencies; demolition/eviction and other shelter-related cases
monitored, facilitated and evaluated; and the implementation
and sustainability of urban land reform.

LINKAGES AND RESOURCE GENERATION

This program intends to enhance the capacity of the urban poor
in accessing pro-poor programs and services (credit, financial,
technical) from a wider range of stakeholders
(LGU/GO/NGO/NGA/PO) and other entities involved in the
delivery of services to the poor.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
This includes preparation of knowledge products on
government policies, programs, services and urban poor data
for dissemination to the urban poor, government agencies,
non-government agencies, the private sector, media and
interested individuals.

PARTICIPATION MECHANISMS
This involves a more effective accreditation system to support
the development of urban poor organizations and heighten
their capability to participate in special bodies and events.