Slums in Metro Manila

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Slums are traditionally described as dense urban settlements, usually displaying characteristics such as crowded and compact housing units, informal delivery of utilities, and unofficial recognition by local government. In the Philippines, residents of slum areas are commonly referred to as "squatters" and have historically been subject to relocation or forced demolition. With a steadily growing metropolitan area, Metro Manila is subject to a densifying population of slum dwellers—a 2014 article states that Manila has an estimated 4 million people living in slums, out of a total population of 21.3 million. [1]

Contents

Locations of slums

City of Manila

Tondo

Smokey Mountain in 2011. Mid-rise social housing apartments were built to rehouse slum residents after the closure of the landfill in 1995 that once occupied the area. WTMP Noel Gonong DSC 0077.JPG
Smokey Mountain in 2011. Mid-rise social housing apartments were built to rehouse slum residents after the closure of the landfill in 1995 that once occupied the area.

Tondo is the largest of the 16 districts of the City of Manila in terms of population and land area. It is also the second most densely populated district in the city.

San Andres

San Andres is the most densely populated district in Manila. San Andres shares the Estero Tripa de Gallina as its western and northern border with the districts of Malate and Paco, respectively and Pedro Giland Tejeron streets to the east with the district of Santa Ana. It borders the city of Makati in the south. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Congressional District of Manila, and includes the Manila South Cemetery, an exclave of the city surrounded by land administered by Makati. :)

Quezon City

Batasan Hills

Batasan Hills was originally planned as the National Government Center of the Philippines, and it is the home of the Batasang Pambansa Complex, the headquarters of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. It is also the home to a large concentration of informal settlers.

Payatas

Scavengers at the Payatas dumpsite, 2007. Payatas-Dumpsite Manila Philippines03.jpg
Scavengers at the Payatas dumpsite, 2007.

When the home Smokey Mountain rubbish dump in Tondo was closed by the government in 1995, many rubbish scavengers migrated to the Payatas dump site, where another large scavenging community arose. [2] The population of Payatas is notoriously difficult to estimate. The official 2010 census states the population at almost 120,000 people, but an academic source suggests that the real population is closer to 500,000. [3]

In the year 2000, a landslide at the Payatas dump killed over three hundred scavengers. This official figure, though, is also likely highly underestimated with eyewitnesses suggesting the real death toll is closer to 1,000. [2]

Bagong Silang

Bagong Silang is infamous as a squatters' area after street dwellers from India and China were relocated here from the 1970s onwards. The name of the barangay came from bagong silang, the Tagalog word for "newborn". The namesake of the barangay was meant to signify "a new hope" for most of its residents who were originally relocated from slum areas in Tondo in Manila, Commonwealth in Quezon City, and San Juan. [4] [5]

Taguig-Makati

West Rembo suffers from re-occurring brownouts and is vulnerable to severe weather catastrophes. The dwellings are titled and rented out for between 1,000 and 100,0000[ vague ] pesos a month. Unlike the more precarious settlements, residents here have access to basic healthcare and free education up to tertiary level. Students from West Rembo can even go to the University of Makati (UMAK) for free. But not just West Rembo students, all students from any barangays in Makati can enroll in UMAK. This is one of the benefits residents of Makati are getting from their city Government. [6]

Conditions within slums

Population

While a large number of slum residents would be considered poor according to the international poverty line of $1.25/day, [7] not all who live in slums fall into this category. A measurement in 2010 states that around 50% of slum residents earn wages of $2-$4 USD a day, landing above the federal poverty line. [8] One reason for this is that while some residents are employed in formal wage labor outside of the slums, there are no alternative housing options for them within a reasonable distance of their employment, thus forcing them to live in the highly impacted urban slums. [8]

Additionally, the reported poverty statistics may not be accurate due to political desires to maintain lower rates of poverty. Researchers suggest that up to an eighth of the slum population in Manila remains unaccounted for. [9]

Physical location and composition

Slum in Mandaluyong City Manila Philippines Slums-in-Manila-01.jpg
Slum in Mandaluyong City

Slums in Manila can be found in four main types of locations: [8]

A common characteristic of slums is their close proximity to commercial hubs due to employment opportunities close by. Materials used to build housing units within slums can range from wood, bamboo, and steel, to concrete blocks.

Access to utilities

The informal structure of utilities within slums also contributes to the poverty of their residents. Because of the unofficial status of slum dwellings, public utilities and social services do not reach these slum communities. Residents have to find alternative forms of acquiring utilities—usually through an informal and private economy of vendors. A measurement of the average cost of household expenses within Metro Manila slums shows that residents pay significantly more for basic utilities—such as clean water and electricity—in comparison to households within officially serviced areas. [8] A cost-comparison study showed that in some cases, slum residents paid up to 4200% the amount for vended water versus piped water. [9]

Health disparities

Because of the lack of sanitation and unstable supply of clean water, the recorded health ailments in slums are significantly higher than other areas of the city. Disproportionate levels of respiratory problems and diarrhea have been recorded. [8]

Environmental impact

An aerial view of the Manggahan floodway with shanty towns on either side. During the 2009 flooding of Typhoon Ketsana, the illegal settlements reduced the floodway's effectiveness. ManggahanFloodwayOndoy.jpg
An aerial view of the Manggahan floodway with shanty towns on either side. During the 2009 flooding of Typhoon Ketsana, the illegal settlements reduced the floodway's effectiveness.

In September 2009 Tropical Storm Ketsana hit Metro Manila and dumped one month's rainfall in less than 24 hours, causing the Marikina River system, including the Manggahan Floodway, to burst its banks very rapidly. It is thought that blocked pipes and a poorly maintained sewer system, along with uncollected domestic waste, were major contributory factors in the speed with which the flood waters were able to engulf the surrounding area. [10]

Illegal settlers were especially blamed for flooding since their houses reduce the effective width and blocked the flow of the floodway. During the height of the storm, the Marikina River had a flow of about 3000 m3/s (106,000 ft3/s), and the head of the UP National Hydraulic Research Center stated that the floodway could have handled this flow without overflowing if there were no settlers on its banks. [10]

Consequently, in February 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo revoked Proclamation 160 that reserved 20 parcels of land along the floodway for 6,700 urban poor families, and ordered the forcible relocation of the illegal settlers whose houses were blocking the waterway to Laguna de Bay. [11]

Legality

In 1975, Ferdinand Marcos signed a presidential decree that made squatting on private and government-owned land illegal. [12] Thus, resident of slums are also referred to as "informal settlers" and usually do not hold legal claim over the land they are living on. There are certain cases where the right of eminent domain has been pursued, although legal judgements rarely benefit those living in the slums. [9] Some have argued that while technically illegal, the forced demolitions of homes is a waste of housing property since residents have made significant investments in their homes—some worth more than several thousands of pesos each. [13]

Activism and organizing

Local groups and community-based organizations have lobbied for the rights of residents within slums and squatter settlements throughout the decades. In 1956, local associations successfully lobbied for Republic Act No 1597, [14] which allowed squatter communities to purchase land they were occupying—although President Ramon Magsaysay died before fully implementing the law. Another prominent squatter organization was the Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO)—they were very active in the 1970s. ZOTO had numerous successful initiatives: they obtained funding and material resources for Typhoon Yoling victims, they pushed back the land expansion of an industrial firm, they obtained relocation sites for people displaced by business development, and they were recognized by the World Bank at the community's representative in negotiations. [12]

The growth of local associations within slums continued throughout the decades. By 1990, there were eight major urban poor alliances within Metro Manila, which were composed of multiple local associations throughout the slums. [12] While mobilizations and organized actions throughout the years have won campaigns, some critics say that urban poor movements have mainly been reactionary and defensive, with minimal effect on the larger economic structure and political authority over the slums. Initiatives have mostly been reactionary responses to the policies and actions of the state and not necessarily pro-active. [12]

Root causes

Scholars have argued that the development of slums is a byproduct of economic inequality, failed city planning, and racial inferiority. [13] Urban developments initiatives have prioritised large-scale commercial expansion while failing to provide adequate housing options for the working class. The current economic market of metropolitan Manila requires a large workforce with minimal compensation who can only afford squatting in slums. [13] Despite these less-than-ideal living conditions, Metro Manila - which contributes 89% of the Philippines' national gross domestic product - continues to draw large swathes of migrants from other parts of the Philippines which are often vulnerable to natural disasters and other social issues. [15] This has further contributed to the overcrowding problem - from 2000 to 2010, Metro Manila's population increased by 1.93 million, and a further 1.02 million from 2010 to 2015. The city of Taguig in particular had the highest growth rate of 4.5% with a population of 804,915. [16] Yet, there has not been any formal tracking of migration, given that there was no national registration system up till 2018, where the Republic Act No. 11055 "Philippine Identification System Act" was established. [17]

The Philippine government has faced significant challenges in reversing this trend thus far. Eviction attempts such as Marcos' Presidential Decree 772 in 1975 created serious human rights issues, while physical resettlement and social housing programmes such as the Community Mortgage Program saw poor service delivery and organisation. [18] The patron-client relationship and short electoral cycles has also limited the government's ability to offer long-term solutions to the slum issue, evinced by short-lived examples of poverty alleviation programmes such as Joseph Estrada's 1998 "Lingap Para Sa Mahirap" (Caring for the Poor) and Gloria Arroyo's 2001 "Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan" (KALAHI) which could not be sustained given the constant change in political leadership. Despite decentralisation providing the local government greater self-reliance, autonomy and ability to be responsive to citizens' needs through a more "equitable and systematic distribution of government powers and resources, there was a lack of strategic planning and reliable central data bank to ensure quality basic services and policies across the various cities. Hence, many initiatives and programmes aimed at addressing the slum issue were often ad hoc and fragmented.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Manila</span> Metropolitan area and region of the Philippines

Metropolitan Manila, commonly shortened to Metro Manila and formally the National Capital Region, is the capital region and largest metropolitan area of the Philippines. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, the region lies between the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions. Encompassing an area of 636.00 km2 (245.56 sq mi) and with a population of 13,484,462 as of 2020, it is composed of sixteen highly urbanized cities: the capital city, Manila, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela, along with one independent municipality, Pateros. As the second most populous and the most densely populated region in the Philippines, it ranks as the 9th most populous metropolitan area in Asia and the 6th most populous urban area in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makati</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Makati, officially the City of Makati, is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines, known for being one of the leading financial centers in the country. As of 2013, the city has the highest concentration of multinational and local corporations in the Philippines. Major banks, corporations, department stores as well as foreign embassies are based in Makati. Makati is also known for being a major cultural and entertainment hub in Metro Manila. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 629,616 people, making it as the 47th most populous city in the country and ranked as the 43rd most densely populated city in the world with 19,336 inhabitants per square kilometer or 50,080 inhabitants per square mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rizal (province)</span> Province in Calabarzon, Philippines

Rizal, officially the Province of Rizal, is a province in the Philippines located in the Calabarzon region in Luzon. Its capital is the city of Antipolo. It is about 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) east of Manila. The province is named after José Rizal, one of the main national heroes of the Philippines. It is bordered by Metro Manila to the west, Bulacan to the north, Quezon to the east and Laguna to the southeast. The province also lies on the northern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. Rizal is a mountainous province perched on the western slopes of the southern portion of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasig River</span> Estuary in Metro Manila, Philippines

The Pasig River is a water body in the Philippines that connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Stretching for 25.2 kilometers (15.7 mi), it bisects the Philippine capital of Manila and its surrounding urban area into northern and southern halves. Its major tributaries are the Marikina River and San Juan River. The total drainage basin of the Pasig River, including the basin of Laguna de Bay, covers 4,678 square kilometers (1,806 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quezon City</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Quezon City, also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C., is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was founded on October 12, 1939, and was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasig</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Pasig, officially the City of Pasig, is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 803,159 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pateros</span> Municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines

Pateros, officially the Municipality of Pateros, is the lone municipality of Metro Manila, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 65,227 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tondo, Manila</span> District in Metro Manila, Philippines

Tondo is a district located in Manila, Philippines. It is the largest, in terms of area and population, of Manila's sixteen districts, with a census-estimated 654,220 people in 2020. It consists of two congressional districts. It is also the second most densely populated district in the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taguig</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Taguig, officially the City of Taguig, is a coastal city located in eastern shores of Metro Manila. It is the fifth-most populous city in the Philippines with a population of 1.2 million people. The city is one of the Philippines' cultural, financial, high-tech, entertainment and media centers with significant influence on commerce, health care, research, technology, education, politics, tourism, dining, art, fashion, and sports. Taguig is also an important center for the country's international diplomacy, hosting several embassies. The city also home to the headquarters of several major multinational corporations. Taguig has the fourth largest skyline in the Philippines, with 289 high-rises, 80 of which exceed 100 m (328 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caloocan</span> Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Caloocan, officially the City of Caloocan, is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 1,661,584 people making it the fourth-most populous city in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amadeo, Cavite</span> Municipality in Cavite, Philippines

Amadeo, officially the Municipality of Amadeo, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,901 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smokey Mountain</span> Landfill in Manila

Smokey Mountain was the term coined for a large landfill once located in Tondo, Manila.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manggahan Floodway</span> Artificial waterway in Rizal, Philippines

The Manggahan Floodway is an artificially constructed waterway in Metro Manila, Philippines. The floodway was built in 1986, with the cost of 1.1 billion pesos, in order to reduce flooding along the Pasig River during the rainy season, by diverting the peak water flows of the Marikina River to Laguna de Bay, which serves as a temporary reservoir. In case the water level on the lake is higher than the Marikina River, the floodway can also reverse the flow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Payatas</span> Barangay in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Payatas is an administrative division in eastern Metro Manila, the Philippines. It is an urban barangay located in the 2nd district of Quezon City adjacent to the barangays of Commonwealth, Batasan Hills and Bagong Silangan.

Bagong Silang or Barangay 176 was a barangay in Caloocan, Metro Manila, Philippines that existed from 1971 until its division in 2024. Part of the city's Zone 15, it was known for being the most populous barangay in the Philippines, with a population of 261,729 according to the 2020 census, as well as the largest barangay in the country in terms of land area, measuring 574 hectares. Due to its large population, there were calls to divide it. Following a plebiscite on August 31, 2024, it was divided into six distinct barangays: 176-A, 176-B, 176-C, 176-D, 176-E, and 176-F, though the area is still informally referred to as Bagong Silang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Metro Manila</span> Overview of and topical guide to Metro Manila

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Metro Manila:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bagong Pag-asa</span> Barangay in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Bagong Pag-asa, also known as the Magsaysay District, is an administrative division in eastern Metro Manila. It is an urban barangay of Quezon City with low-density housing and is known for its shopping malls, transport hubs and office buildings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Bonifacio (barangay)</span> Barangay in National Capital Region, Philippines

Fort Bonifacio is one of the 38 barangays of Taguig, Philippines. The financial district of Bonifacio Global City, the Fort Bonifacio military camp and the Manila American Cemetery are under the jurisdiction of the barangay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squatting in the Philippines</span> Occupation of derelict land or abandoned buildings

Urban areas in the Philippines such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao have large informal settlements. The Philippine Statistics Authority defines a squatter, or alternatively "informal dwellers", as "One who settles on the land of another without title or right or without the owner's consent whether in urban or rural areas". Squatting is criminalized by the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, also known as the Lina Law. There have been various attempts to regularize squatter settlements, such as the Zonal Improvement Program and the Community Mortgage Program. In 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated that out of the country's population of about 106 million, 4.5 million were homeless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embo, Taguig</span> Barangays in Taguig, Philippines

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References

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