Background of the Study

The United Nations Human Settlement Program defines housing as

affordable when “adequate in quality and location and does not cost so much that

it prohibits its occupants meeting other basic living costs or threatens their

enjoyment of basic human rights” (UN-HABITAT, 2011). Housing ensures access

to basic needs and services, creating stable home environments contributing to

improved education, health, and economic security and for better community.

When envisioning their lives in 2040, Filipinos aspire to a shared vision of a

comfortable existence encompassing homeownership, sufficient travel funds, and

emergency savings, as indicated by the Ambisyon Natin 2040 (NEDA, 2016).

Nevertheless, deficiencies in affordability are a continuing problem in the

Philippines as it is a crucial component of the right to ample housing. This sector

– without access to affordable housing – is being forced to build their houses in

slums, vulnerable places. It is a challenging task for the government to provide

housing needs for the people especially those who belong to the underprivileged

sector. Although there have been efforts done to address the said problem in the

country, still there is much to be done (Arcilla, 2019).

The government's strategy for combating the growing housing backlog

includes enacting enabling legislation to speed up house production. The Local

Government Code (LGC) assigns local governments to be independent in the

provision of essential services, including low-cost and mass housing effectively and

efficiently. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development

(DHSUD), on the other hand, expands the idea to incorporate the process and the

physical shelter where communities are created and sustained, highlighting the

importance of “location relative to access to livelihood.” In the same sense, the

Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) or RA 7279 identified socialized

housing as one of the primary modes of housing delivery (Official gazette of the

Republic of the Philippines, 1992).

The UDHA determines individuals or families in the low-income sector living

in the urban areas who do not own housing facilities as the primary beneficiaries

of socialized housing programs. Hence, the National Housing Authority (NHA) is

tasked to provide socialized housing for the poorest 30% of urban poor Filipinos

(Executive Orde 90, 1986). The most common approach to socialized housing is

privatized and supply-side focused, as reflected in the mandates of the

government’s key shelter agencies. By increasing the supply of low-priced units

via private-sector production and providing subsidized housing loans, the hope is

that informal settler families will be able to purchase formal and affordable housing

(Arcilla, 2019).

The government was optimistic about the early implementation of RA was

optimistic about the early implementation of RA 7279 as it mandates private

housing developers to allot twenty percent (20%) of the area of the projects for

socialized housing. In 2016, RA 7279 was amended by the passing of Ra 10884,

or the Balance Housing Act reducing the socialized housing compliance to 15%

and adding 5% socialized housing compliance for condominium housing project.

However, while the socialized housing developments led by the private sector

increased, a huge backlog is still recorded. In the recent estimate of the Philippine

housing backlog, 5.11 million belong to the socialized housing segment (Padojinog

& Yap, 2020).

In the case of the LGUs, they are being criticized for “lack of political will

which has impeded the proper implementation of the national policy on balanced
housing development” (Buendia, 1998). Through the socialized housing program,

a systematic, political, and economic displacement of the poor is institutionalized

to facilitate private gain and commodify housing for the poor (Arcilla, 2018). The

privatization of the housing production, coupled with the second-rate construction

quality to keep up with the price ceiling and profit has compounded into the bigger

issue in the housing sector. This has left some of the socialized housing units

developed by the National Housing Authority, the housing production arm of the

government, to be unoccupied because of their “substandard and unsuitable”

condition (Arcilla, 2018).

Households judge their housing conditions based on the actual housing

situation and housing norms, often expressing high contentment if the households’

current housing situation meets the norms. On the other hand, incongruence with

housing situations and norms may result in a housing deficit, which in turn gives

rise to housing dissatisfaction (Morris & Winter, 1975). On larger scale, improving

the housing quality of a neighborhood may notably impact the residents’ social

identity (Hauge, 2009). Residential satisfaction is composed of the indices of the

satisfaction which respondents perceive with (1) dwelling unit features, (2)

dwelling unit support services, (3) public facilities, (4) social environment, and (5)

neighborhood facilities (Mohit et al., 2010).

It has also been found that different population groups often have different

predictors of satisfaction. This has been the case in looking at high-rise versus low-

rise units, public housing versus private housing sites (Anderson & Weiderman,

1997), as well as when looking at demographic differences within the same site.

The housing adequacy and residential satisfaction can be used

interchangeably or as surrogates for each other. This observation carries

substantial implications for policy formulation and research, implying that either

concept can yield analogous results, thereby informing sound judgments on

housing quality, residents’ quality of life, housing adaptation dynamics, project

effectiveness, and housing providers’ prowess in addressing user needs (Ibem et

al., 2015).

By understanding how residents perceive housing conditions and

challenges, housing satisfaction studies contribute substantively to diverse

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encompassing poverty alleviation (Goal

1), enhanced well-being (Goal 3), sustainable urban development (goal 11),

responsible consumption (Goal 12), equitable justice (Goal 16), and productive

partnerships (Goal 17). Such studies enable policymakers to design targeted

interventions, create inclusive communities, enhance resource efficiency, and

promote equitable targeted interventions, create inclusive communities, enhance

resource efficiency, and promote equitable and sustainable societies, harmonizing

with the overarching SDG framework for 2030 (UNDP, 2015).

In terms of population – as for Agoo - there are 2,664 or 19.8% of

households belonged with income below the poverty threshold. The CBMS defines

the poverty threshold as families having an income less than P18,449.00 for rural

areas and P19,337.00 in the urban areas. Other indicators are households with

income below food threshold. There are 1,548 or 11.5% households belonged to

income below food threshold with P12,886 (Rural) and P13,508 (Urban).

Unemployed members of the labor force are 551 or 2.2% of the members 15 years

old and above who are currently working or actively seeking for work at the time

of survey (2014) (Agoo CLUP, 2015).

 Shelter needs are categorized into new housing units needed to answer the

requirements of the future population, new units to cover for housing backlog as

well was upgrading need.

Displaced units due to government infrastructure or eviction /demolition

and homeless are also included in this category. However, as per record, no

housing unit falls on this category. Displaced housing unit due to hazard.

Considering a 5m high storm surge, simulating this height of water an estimate of

around 2,514 units of houses will be affected or damaged. Other types of hazards

like earthquake and landslide, no records are found on this category. Housing

needs due to population growth rate is computed based on the projected

household, as per computation there are around 2,661 units is needed until the

end of the planning period of 2024. The housing need of the municipality is

distributed annually at 669 for the first planning period (2015) up to 837 until the

end of the planning period (2024) with a total of 6,896 housing units (Agoo CLUP,

2015).
Statement of the Problem

Addressing the housing needs of its informal settlers is a challenge for the

Municipality of Agoo particularly those in the coastal areas. Mostly households of

fishermen, these communities endure substandard living conditions marked by

inadequate infrastructure, sanitation, and vulnerability to natural disasters.

The problem addressed in this study is how to devise a comprehensive

design strategy for socialized housing aligning with the needs of the said

community with respect to the site environment.

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following:

• What design strategies are the most effective for the socialized housing

project, allowing community sense and ensuring disaster resilience?

• How can the design accommodate the socio-economic characteristics of the

informal settlers?

• What measures can be implemented for the community engagement in the

process ensuring that their needs are attained and challenges are

addressed?

• What strategies can ensure affordability and accessibility of the housing

units for the intended beneficiaries?

The project seeks to provide a resilient, inclusive, and dignified living

environment while promoting sustainable livelihoods and creating a sense of

community among Agoo's informal settlers.

Main Objectives

The study is maximized to develop a comprehensive framework for

socialized housing project for the informal settlers of Agoo, creating spaces and

functions with the application of principles aligned to the initiative’s purpose. The

main objective is broken down as follows:

• Assess the socio-cultural and environmental impact, economic viability, and

communal influence of the project on both initial investment and long-term

benefits.

• Develop a design creating new community with respect to functionality,

circulation, and relationship and the application of related laws and

regulations.

• Identify and propose strategies for the new community, refining the living

environment of the informal settlers and enhancing their socio-economic

activities.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives outlined below focus on the critical elements of the focus

of the study, ranging from the initial evaluation of the community to planning and

community engagement.

• To identify and incorporate the needs and challenges on the socio-economic

characteristics of the informal settlers in the design framework supporting

and enhancing their livelihood.

• To introduce sustainability and resiliency to the development project

enhancing users’ living conditions, with the conduct of site assessment and

statistical analysis to determine factors that may affect the planning.

 • To engage the community in the planning and design process, ensuring the

project solutions reflect their needs and deals with their challenges.

Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to develop a propose

housing project in Agoo, La Union intitled “Pabalay ti Umili” that continuously

enhancing the environmental, economic, and social assets to those informal

settlers of the town. The key groups are as follows:

• Architectural Community

The study will contribute to the body of knowledge on the related field,

emphasizing the architect’s role in planning and developing a housing project to

its people and city.

• Local Residents

The study can help improve the quality of life for the public, through

providing a home for those people that cannot afford to their own house and lot.

Promotes a budget friendly to every occupant or tenant.

• Local Government

This study may act as guide the LGU’s through planning a new housing

project especially for those informal settlers through this research’s findings and

proposals.

• Local Business

The study is expected to help drive economic growth by making sure that

the project is accessible to those homeowners and also who wants invest business

in the project.
 • Researchers/Future researchers/Students

The study impact communities in numerous ways, from improving living

conditions to fostering social cohesion. They can study these impacts to

understand how housing affects health, education, economic stability, and social

dynamics.

This research serves as a critical step towards a more sustainable urban

future, creating a model that can contribute to the overall well-being and stability

of individuals and communities, implementing this project a crucial component of

urban development.

Scope and Limitations

The study focuses on the architectural programming for the development

of housing project to those informal settlers in the town of Agoo. The study will

encompass as analysis of the present state of the town, an assessment of the

surrounding environment, and an evaluation of the possible economic and social

advantages of the proposed project. The geographical scope is limited to the

selected location where the propose project will be implemented in Barangay San

Nicolas West of Agoo with a total of 3.02 hectares of land area and does not extend

to the other areas of the barangay. Through site assessment and date gathering,

the study aims to determine the most suitable architectural principle to ensure the

transformation allows for recreation and socialization while allowing for

sustainability in the wider region.

The study is limited in the town of Agoo only and does not extend to other

neighboring or surrounding towns in Agoo. That the propose project is located at

the specific barangay in the town which is Brgy. San Nicolas West where the land

area has a total of 3.02 hectares only. While this study aims to provide a
comprehensive plan for the development of housing project, it is subjected to

certain limitations. The availability of current environmental and economic data

limits the research and could compromise the quality of estimates and

assessments. Furthermore, the study will concentrate on the initial stages of

design and implementation rather than covering the long-term maintenance and

operational plans. External variables could restrict the range of design possibilities

accessible for the development of the project, including legal restrictions and

possible unforeseen environmental challenges.

Conceptual Framework
INPUT
Data Collection
Present Condition of the Demographics Legal Frameworks
Site Informal settlers’ Architectural
Existing Facilities statistics, socio- Guidelines/Standards
economic profile LGU Initiatives
Preferences

PROCES
S

Site assessment, SWOT

analysis
Documentary, statistical Library research
analysis Data from LGU
Interviews, Questionnaires

Analysis

Interpretation

Design Development and Planning

OUTPUT
“PABALAY ITI UMILI ITI
AGOO, LA UNION”
Definition of Terms

The study used important terms which are defined for the purpose of this

programming. These are the descriptive definitions of the said terms:

Barangay is the basic political unit which serves as the primary planning and

implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities

in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may

be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably

settled. (LGC, 1991)

Community refers to a group of people living in the same locality or having a

shared interest, often centered around a common space or neighborhood.

(Alexander et al., 1977)

Community Architecture is a design and planning approach that prioritizes the

involvement of local residents in the creation and development of their built

environment. (Mason, 2006)

Development refers to the process of transforming an initial design concept into

a detailed, technical plan ready for construction. (Hague & Harrop, 2013)

Economic Development is the improvement in the economic well-being and

quality of life for a community or country, often measured by indicators like GDP,

income levels, and employment rates. (Cambridge Dictionary, 2021)

Economic Viability refers to the ability of the project or development to be

financially sustainable over the long-term. (McIntosh et al., 2014)

Housing refers to the design and construction of residential buildings where

people live. This encompasses a variety of types and scales, from single-family

homes to multi-unit apartment complexes. (Ching, Francis D.K., 2014)

Informal Settlers also known as squatters or slum dwellers, are individuals or

families who live on land or in buildings without legal permission. This often occurs

in urban areas where there is a lack of affordable housing. (UN-Habitat 2015)

Landscape refers to the observable features of an area of land, including its

physical characteristics and the way these features are arranged and interact.

(Barton, 2009)

Landscape Architecture is the art and practice of designing outdoor spaces and

environments, including parks, gardens, and urban plazas, to achieve both

functional and aesthetic goals. (Duncan, 2010)

Municipality is a political and administrative unit that governs a specific

geographic area, typically a city, town, or district. (Blair & Stoker, 1999)

Province is a territorial unit within a country, typically possessing a degree of

administrative authority and often governed by its own regional government.

(Hague & Harrop, 2013)

Population density refers to the number of people living per unit area, usually

measured in persons per square kilometer or square mile. It indicates how

crowded or sparsely populated an area is. Higher population densities often occur

in urban areas with more buildings, services, and infrastructure, while lower

densities are typical in rural areas with more open space and fewer inhabitants.

(World Bank ,2020)

Town is a human settlement that is typically larger than a village but smaller than

a city, characterized by a higher population density and more developed

infrastructure and services. (Harrison, 2012)

Urban refers to elements, characteristics, or phenomena associated with cities or

densely populated areas. (Brenner & Schmid, 2014)

Urban Corridor is a linear region of development that typically includes a major

transportation route, such as highway or railway, along with associated

commercial, residential, and missed-use developments. (Calthorpe, 1993)

Urban Density refers to the concentration of people, buildings, or infrastructure

within a specific area of an urban environment. (Baker & Williams, 2016)

Urban Design is the art and science of shaping the physical setting for life in

cities, towns, and villages. It involves the design and organization of urban spaces,

including streets, public areas, and buildings, to improve the functionality,

aesthetic appeal, and social fabric of urban environments. (Kostof, 1991)

Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a regional boundary set by local government

to limit the expansion of urban development into surrounding rural or undeveloped

areas. (Gordon & Richardson, 1997)

Urban Planning is a process of elaborating solutions that aim both to improve or

requalify an existing urban area, as well as to create a new urbanization in a given

region. (Ghisleni, 2024)

Urban Sprawl is the uncontrolled and unplanned expansion of urban areas into

surrounding rural or underdeveloped land. (Ewing & Hamidi, 2014)

Zoning is the legislative process of dividing a land into zones for different use,

such as residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural. (Calthorpe, 1993)