ren on, the details of resettlement options available to them. Local government units and national government agencies involved in disasterrelief and resetdement activities are made aware of the following international human rights standards and reminded of their legal obligations under Philippine law to consult with affected communities. Int ‘national Human Rights Standards i Genuine consultation between the Government and affected communities is a central feature of many human rights standards. For communities subject to involuntary relocation, the Government has an obligation to consult with communities on all aspects of their resettlement.*° 20. For persons subject to internal displacement, any housing, land or restitution programmes must also be carried out on a voluntary basis and in full consultation with the individuals, groups and communities affected.’ Consultation should be genuine and account for the interests of marginalised and vulnerable groups. Philippine Law on Consultation Processes The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines guarantees that no resettlement shall be to ty undertaken without adequate consultation with those affected and the communities wherethey are to be relocated.** Affected populations thus have a constitutional right to be meaningfully consulted on all matters concerning their resettlement, including proposed sites for temporary or permanent shelter, parameters in the selectionof site beneficiaries, manner and time i) WwW of relocations andall other relevant considerations relating to return, relocation and othershelter options. In view of this right, the Governmentandall other stakeholders are urged to disseminate the necessary information and engage with affected communities accordingly. The Urban Development and Housing Actalso identifies consultation with affected communities as a prerequisite to any forced evictions and resettlement.’ The implementing rules and regulations to the Urban Development and Housing Act prescribe the detail of this consultative process, which mustbe fulfilled prior to any evictions or demolitions.*” The Government must convene a series of consultative meetings betweenlocal officials, representatives of national agencies and of the communities affected. Para. 15, Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, General Comment 7 on the Right to Adequate Housing (Forced Evictions). 37 Principle 14, United Nations Principles on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and Displaced Persons (Pinheiro Principles). 3k Article XIII, Section 10, 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. 9 Sec. 28(2), Republic Act No. 7279, Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. 10 Sec. 1(e), Implementing Rules and Regulations of Sec. 28 of Republic Act No. 7279, Urban Development and 36 Housing Act of 1992