Philippines delegation visits Narayanganj City Corporation

NARAYANGANJ, 18 SEPTEMBER, 2019: A team from the Philippines government and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) visited Narayanganj City Corporation today to learn and share experience from the two countries in reducing urban poverty using digital platforms.

The team comprised of the Resident Representative of UNDP Philippines, Titon Mitra; Senior Policy Advisor, UNDP Philippines, Andrew Parker; Technical Assistant, Ministry of Interior and Local Government, Philippines, Fausiah Abdula, and Mohammad Nor Abdullah Anggie from the same ministry.

The Delegation met Dr Salina Hayat Ivy, Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and discussed UNDP’s initiative on urban poverty reduction called, “Livelihoods Improvement of Urban Poor Communities Project (LIUPC).” Ashikur Rahman, Head of Poverty and Urbanization of UNDP Bangladesh made a presentation on LIUPC. LIUPCP National Project Manager Ekramul Kabir was also present.

Selina Hayat Ivy while sharing her experience said, “The project is helping the poor, particularly women, to elevate from poverty. It is also helping me get closer to the people of my city corporation.” She thanked UNDP for this initiative and hoped it will be expanded across the country.

Titon Mitra, Resident Representative of UNDP Philippines, shared his country’s experience of using digital tools to address urban poverty.

He said he was impressed by the courage, dedication and sincerity of women living in the slums as they continued to change their situation with whatever support they have received.

Among others, Ashraful Amin from Access to Information (a2i) program was present and shared a2i’s initiatives to use digital tools.
Later the delegation visited LIUPC project’s sites and Union Parishad Digital Centre of Boktaboli Union at Fatullah in Narayanganj.