Q & A with PCUP Commissioner Conrado R. Sillada

1. What is the PCUP participation for the UDHA amendment?

” We are planning for a nationwide consultation that the urban poor leaders will have participation on this.”

2. As the new commissioner what are the projects and partnership lined up on 2014 for the Urban Poor?

” The will be a MOA with the Habitat for Humanity for land acquisition and housing construction for the informal settlers family.

3. As the new commissioner what do you think are the things really needed by the urban poor?

” Urban poor should be equipped with technical know how like the skills and capabilities trainingss because when we empower them they will independent.”

4. As the new commissioner what are the projects needed by the urban Poor

” Of course there’s security of land tenure and housing. The government shoul also provide the basic services like light, water, drainage road and livelihood.

5. In relation to PNoy’s advocacy on “Tuwid na Daan” what can PCUP do to help for honest and good governance?

” PCUP should send the message to the urban poor with transparency, accountability and integrity through education.”

6. What is the difference between your previous job as an urban poor leader and today as the new PCUP Commissioner ?

” Today , I am now wearing the hat a a government employee, I now have the responsibility to bring the voice of urban poor here in Mindanao to the government and I can now formulate and recommend policies.”

7. How do you create the balance of helping the urban poor but also not allowing them to be dependent of the government?

“We always say that urban poor should help his fellow urban poor the government is there to extend their help and the role of PCUP is to facilitate the help. The most important thing here is for the urban poor them to help themselves first before they expect others will help them.”

8. What is the key ingredient to empower the Urban Poor?

” The most important is education but the key to success of this to monitor after the education has done because without proper monitoring and evaluation the effort will gone to waste.”

9. What are the your personal principles that you believe you can apply it as the new commissioner of PCUP?

” You should always think positive, and be industrious to extend your services to the poor. In PCUP we hoped that the urban poor will not remain poor as long as they live.”