Section 23Sec./Art. 23

Participation of Beneficiaries.- The local government units, in coordination with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and concerned government agencies, shall afford Program beneficiaries or their duly designated representatives an opportunity to be heard and to participate in the decision-making process over matters involving the protection and promotion of their legitimate collective interests which shall include appropriate documentation and feedback mechanisms. They shall also be encouraged to organize themselves and undertake self-help cooperative housing and other livelihood activities. They shall assist the Government in preventing the incursions of professional squatters and members of squatting syndicates into their communities.

In instances when the affected beneficiaries have failed to organize themselves or form an alliance within a reasonable period prior to the implementation of the program or projects affecting them, consultation between the implementing agency and the affected beneficiaries shall be conducted with the assistance of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and the concerned nongovernment organizations.