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Humanizing Socialized Resettlement Housi PDF
Humanizing Socialized Resettlement Housi PDF
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Adviser, Associate Professor, College of Architecture, University of the Philippines
Abstract
There is an urgency to address the influx of rural migrants attracted by the economic opportunities available in
metropolitan cities, as in Metro Manila whose urban poor have increased considerably in the last few decades. In the
absence of secure shelter, a large proportion of these migrants have embanked along the main river which acted as a
magnet due to its assets of livelihood, affordable settlement and transport.Through case studies from housing
community models, an assessment is made on the quality of life that specific relocation sites provide. Results of
studies by urban planning experts on these re-settlers, at times abruptly extracted from their original habitat, and
integration into their host communities through local government participatory management are reflected. Interviews
and focused group discussions with representatives of the informal settler groups were conducted, as well as ocular
inspections, in-depth studies of rural and in-city relocation sites. Further, an analysis is drawn on the effectiveness of
these resettlement programs in the hope of having better living conditions, identifying the problem areas and bringing
out the best practices in this regard, with focus on sustainability measures and “humanizing” principles,respecting the
rights of each family as the basic structure of society.
Introduction
The effects of urbanization such as rapid growth physical assets and available means of river
of the city driven by high population growth have transport.
brought with it an influx of rural migrants attracted
by the economic opportunities available in Various attempts have been made at relocating
metropolitan cities, Metro Manila being a case in these slum dwellers, at times becoming an abrupt
point.In the absence of secure shelter, a large extraction from the riverbanks, without proper
proportion of these migrants have embanked along transition, adaptation or integration of these
the Pasig River which acted as a magnet due to its informal settler families.
Ideally, cities will try to move towards achieving
Contact Author: Marie Stephanie N. Gilles, Teaching
a harmonious urbanization, i.e., the development of
Associate at UP Diliman College of Architecture, E. delos urban sectors that preserve intangible assets,
Santos Street, UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City, cultural life, inter-generational relationships
Philippines. Principal Architect at SNG Design Enterprise. &different forms of societal relations and resources.
Member, United Architects of the Philippines.
A society cannot claim to be harmonious if large
Tel: +63 2 211 5552
sectors of its residents are deprived of basic needs
e-mail: steph.gilles529@gmail.com while others wallow in opulence, if some groups
possess all the resources while others remain
impoverished and marginalized.
Studies suggest that improving the lives of informal and indispensable need for society to be productive
settlers is both socially and economically beneficial and stable. The provision of adequate shelter will
in the long run and can go a long way in making enhance and support national economic and social
cities more productive.Providing for decent shelter development. Housing serves as a catalyst for
is a direct or indirect contributing factor to the overall economic activity.”Consequently, a
promotion of the social well-being of the humanized housing project is an important
individual. As the former Philippine President component of the economic progress of the Filipino
Corazon C. Aquino once said, “Shelter is a basic people.
Fig. 1-4. Photos taken from various slum communities around Metro Manila, along Pasig River tributaries
Metro Manila’s urban poor have increased 85,000squatter families have congregated in the
considerably in the last few decades starting from greater Manila area due to the pull of the city,
the 1960s due to the deficiency of job opportunities poverty in their hometown, the government’s
in the rural areas.In the Philippines, there are 1.4 failure to develop the regions and its hollow policy
million informal settler families, and Metro Manila on land and home ownership.Politicians have
has a large 51% share of them.The so-called tolerated them because they constitute a big voting
“squatters”, and there are thousands in Metro precinct. In summary, despite government efforts to
Manila, have frustrated much of the MMDA’s relocate them, at times by forceful means of
(Metro Manila Development Authority) goals. They demolition and abrupt eviction, these informal
are found all over the place: by the riverbanks, settlers have in the process gained a strong political
along the walls of Manila Bay, under and over will and have learned to defend themselves of their
bridges, in public parks and along railroad tracks. inviolable right to shelter and housing. Despite
various attempts made at relocating these informal
Many have organized themselves into slum settlers, about 30 to 40% returned from their
communities that have withstood pressures from tenement houses back to their place of origin. In the
either the city or municipal halls and the rightful long term, the percentage increased even up to 80%
landowners. The more durable ones have survived in the 1990s due to few job opportunities and their
formany decades in the 16 cities. At least other needs are not met at these relocation sites.
1.2 Scope and delimitations of the study Manila, information on the system of housing
agencies (government & NGOs),case studies on the
This paper hopes to tackle the issue of resettlement informal dwellers at various relocation sites and
housing both from the macro as well as micro- analysis of the problems surrounding these re-
analytical viewpoint by providing a backgrounder on settlers.The focus of the study is on the qualitative
the housing situation in the Philippines and in Metro and intangible aspects of humanizing housing.
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Weshall try to enumerate the proposed alternatives to Majority of the data is taken from desk research and
make these resettlement housing programs more mapping inventory from pertinent websites.Excerpts
viable and suited to the different social and from the UN Habitat Agenda, the UN Millennium
Goals, as well as the World Urban Forum 4 (held in
livingconditions of the relocatees, recommending
November 2008 at Nanjing, China) will serve as
measures to be taken to ensure a smooth relocation backgrounder and rationale for the intent to
process in the future. “humanize” and “harmonize” these housing
programs.
1.3 Elucidation of terms Interviews with key persons directly involved in the
resettlement housing issue (from the National
Humane vs. “inhumane” housing units - based on
Housing Authority and the Pasig River Rehabilitation
objective parameters, e.g. livability, minimum of
comfort to foster growth & peace within the family, Commission), as well as focused group discussions
presence of basic facilities & amenities with the heads or representatives of the informal
settlers groups were conducted to complete the study.
Humanize - to respond to the needs of both body & An ocular inspection and in-depth study was also
soul (matter & form), preserving both tangible & conducted in an out-of-town relocation site about
intangible assets and creating social spaces to 80km south of Manila, as well as an in-city
enhance interpersonal relations and human
GawadKalinga housing site.
development.There cannot be holistic development
and universal common good unless people's spiritual An assessment is made on the quality of life that
and moral welfare is taken into account, considered the relocation sites provide, also measured in terms of
in their totality as body and soul.1 space allocation and provision of amenities, looking
into the minimum standards set by the National
House vs. Home - “having” vs. “belonging”. House Building Code and assessing its appropriateness.
pertains to the physical residential building or shelter, Results of studies done by the Asian Development
whereas home is a biological institution where a
Bank are reflected. Further, an analysis is drawn of
family is sheltered in privacy, safe from unknown
threats and where the indispensable human functions the resettlement housing problems experienced by the
of reproduction, nourishment and rest take place. Filipinos who are relocated from their slum dwelling
units in the hope of having better living conditions,
and to find out if these programs are effective.
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3.3 UN Habitat – World Forum 4: Harmonious
Urbanization
Fig. 7. Important features of a successful urban future Fig. 8. Harmonious Urbanization in cities and
townsas engines of growth
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METRO MANILA PROFILE:
4.2.1 National Housing Authority (NHA) and development of large tracts of raw land to
generate service lots or core housing units for
The NHA is a government owned and controlled families displaced from sites earmarked for
corporation under the administrative supervision of government infrastructure projects and/or
the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating occupying danger areas such as waterways, esteros
Council (HUDCC) and classifiedunder the and railroad tracks.
Infrastructure Utilities Group. It is mandated as the
sole national government agency to engage in 4.2.2 Resettlement Assistance Program for
shelter production focusing on the housing needs of Local Government Units.
the lowest 30% of the urban population and is NHA assists in the development of
tasked to develop and implement a comprehensive resettlement sites by LGUs under its Resettlement
and integrated housing program which shall Assistance Program
embrace: (a) Housing development and Implemented as joint undertaking between
resettlement, (b) Sources and schemes of the LGU and NHA. The LGU’s primary
financingandc) Delineation of government and contribution is land while the NHA provides funds
private sector participation under EO 90 (17 LGUs recover project cost from
December 1986). beneficiaries and utilize proceeds for project
maintenance or to acquire and/or develop new
One of its major programs includes resettlement
resettlement sites.
and slum upgrading, which deals with acquisition
4.2.3 Medium-Rise Housing (Walk-ups)
Medium rise or tenement housing is an in- institutions: NHMFC, HDMF and other
city housing alternative that entails construction of government or non-government institutions.
3-5-storey buildings, without need for an elevator. Medium-rise Private Housing Program is
Implemented by NHA, utilizing allocation implemented directly or joint venture with other
under R.A. 7835.NHA acts as conduit between government and/or private sector
community associations. cooperatives and financing
The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in
cooperation with the private sector, a continuing program of urban
land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost
decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless
citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas. It shall also promote
adequate employment opportunities to such citizens. In the
implementation of such program the State shall respect the rights of
small property owners.
“Urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted nor their dwellings
demolished, except in accordance with law and in a just and humane
manner.”
“No resettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be undertaken without
adequate consultation with them and the communities where they are to
be relocated.
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Developers must increase the allocation of open Increments of 3 square meters for every
spaces up to even more than fifty percent of the additional family dwelling in excess of 10 units
common lot area. .The minimum area for a shall be added.
single park/playground shall be 50 square
meters.
Fig. 12. Single Detached Units: 20-30sqm Fig. 13. Medium-rise/ Condominium units: 12-18sqm
Fig. 14. Map Profile of Pasig River Fig. 15.Pollution Sources (as of 2000)
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About 63% of these are owners/co-owners of placement assistance under the livelihood
affected structures, 23% are tenants & the programs; and
remaining 14% live without paying any rent. (iv) food assistance for 3 days during
relocation. Additional food assistance is also
5.1.2Efforts at Achieving Sustainable
provided to those undergoing training. The
Resettlement
repayment scheme for allocated developed plot and
Entitlements for affected households include: house includes rent for the first 5 years to be
(i) a fully developed plotof average 30sqm area counted as equity, mortgage with amortization at
and completed unit of 20sqm area on cost recovery 9% for the 6-15 year period, and amortization at
basis; 16% for the remaining 15-year period (16th-30th
(ii) transport assistance for relocation, and for years). Payment of rent can be deferred for
travel to work and schools for eligible household families with very low-income.
members for one year;
(iii) training in vocational skills, micro-credit
facilities for small business development and job
Fig. 16. Photos showing the state of Pasig River informal dwellers before and after relocation to an MRB
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6.2 BayanijuansaSouthville 7: Sustainable The 107-hectare property was initially
Resettlement Community in Calauan, developed in 1998 by the NHA. The row
Laguna houses (averaging to 30sqm in floor area)
were built as the first phase of a full-blown
6.2.1 Backgrounder/ History development of a relocation program geared
towards forming a sustainable community.
TARGET: To relocate 4,000 families
currently residing along its riverbanks. NHA
had given AFI the authority to manage
Bayanijuanproject. As of October 2010,
there are 5,025 families within the
community, including those who were
already residing before the project was
launched. The average floor area per unit of
this second phase of housing is 20-25sqm.
Fig. 17. Entryway into Bayanijuan 6.2.2 Social Component of the Community
Housing Village Development Project
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Fig. 19-20. Site Development Plans showing Site 1 & 3, with various amenities to be included in each phase
There are currently 3 sites. Each site has a in close coordination with the AFI Manager to
community organizer under whom are several initiate public-private parternships.
block leaders. There is a weekly monitoring Livelihood is mostly through sari-sari stores for
system and update held at the Livelihood the housewives, construction workers for the
Community Center wherein reporting of the men, school teachers for the women of the
current status of each component is done by all community. Some projects which are income-
the key players involved. A lot of local and generating (initiated via micro-financing) are
international interest has been generated being offered in the Livelihood Center.
primarily due to the social impact of the project Nevertheless, the effectiveness of integration into
as presented through the mediaand by the the receiving LGU still remains to be seen.
efforts of the Resource Mobilization Manager
6.3 GawadKalinga Projects
Fig. 22. GK Baseco, Tondo Fig. 23-24Beforeand after relocation Fig. 25. Typ.flr plan 30 sqm
Fig. 26. GK residents Fig. 27Female volunteers Fig.28. Community Center Fig. 29. Bright colored
volunteerto build teach in a Day Care homes
brickwalkway Center
6.3.4 Sustainability Factors productive future for themselves, their families and
each other. The goal of the GawadKalinga model is
The keys to the sustainability of the to dispel anyreminder of the “slum mentality” that
GawadKalinga model reside in the clean, safe plagued these neighborhoods in the past.
homes and job training that restore human dignity
and self-respect. Education & enhancement In recent years, the GK organizers have decided
programs offered through the Community Centers to introduce “green efforts” into their GK
lead to long-term community growth and self- communities with the site selection by geohazard
reliance. Practicing the shared values of mapping, installation of Material Recovery
stewardship, accountability, unity and community Facilities (MRFs), anaerobic baffled reactors
spirit in daily life, neighbors learn to work together (ABRs) for wastewater treatment, rainwater
towardtheir common goal of a strong, healthy, harvesting, vermi-composting and fertilizing for
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“Bayan-Anihan” (harvesting for the country), passive lighting and cooling techniques.
Fig. 30-33. Various GK greening efforts :geohazard mapping for site, ABR, Bayan-Anihan and MRF.
Wide recognition has been achieved by the GK however, lie in the dependence of these
Housing Programs both locally and abroad. To communities on the GK management and
date, there have been numerous private volunteers such that even after years, they
corporations and NGOs who have contributed continue to rely on their monitors for their
and continue to pledge their financial and upkeep. An effective turn-over system still has to
technical support towards building more GK be discovered so as to make the task of relocation
communities and estates. The problem areas, a smoother transition process.
7.0 BEST PRACTICES/ POSITIVE Association) and given a five-year, PhP12.7 billion
EXPERIENCES OF RELOCATED (US$254 million) budgetary support. The CMP
COMMUNITIES encourages the formation of community
associations (CAs) as a requirement for accessing
7.1Encouraging people’s participation and loans. It allows incremental site development which
organizing the people means the loan amount can be held to a minimum.
One of the basic traits of the typical Filipino
The CMP has been hailed as an innovative land
community is that of being family-centered. In
acquisition program that has benefited thousands of
various low-income communities that tend to be
poor families.
close-knit, it is highly probable that either they are
related to each other (families, next of kin, several The best way to have them involved is
generations) or they are cooperative-based. Some makingthem “own” the project and propose
worker communities may belong to the same solutions apt for them, getting affected persons
company or factory, participate somehow in a labor organized at the beginning of the relocation process
union or collective bargaining agreement (CBA). by:
• Allowing them to attend meetings and sit in
The current and proposed way of dealing with
consultative assemblies
these communities for a successful relocation is
• Making the relocation plan a lot more
through its leader, who could be the patriarch/
sensitive to the needs of the people
matriarch of related families, the president of a
• Making it acceptable to a range of
labor union or the leader of a community.It is
stakeholders
suggested that the entire community or group be
• Should be done with the aim of coming up
relocated to the resettlement site, so that they are
with an objective for the common good
given the freedom to organize themselves
• Developing effective communication &
according to their established system, manner of
good interpersonal skills on the part of those who
being, conditions and circumstances, guided by the
are on the forefront of relocation activities
community planner. This had been observed at the
• Facilitating communication through the use
root of successful cases of relocation. In this light,
of the Filipino language in their meetings with
the Community Mortgage Program (CMP)
government agencies. This would encourage them
launched in 1987, was institutionalised under the
to participate fully in the discussion and decision
UDHA (Urban Development and Housing
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making process with neither group monopolizing 7.3 Comparison of life conditions before and
the discussion after relocation
• People respond better to someone who is Happiness and contentment despite limited
approachable and easy to talk to income opportunities
Having the opportunity to own a house / lot
7.2Creating Responsible Homeowners Better and cleaner surroundings
Relatively peaceful environment
A change is felt in the consciousness and the Nevertheless, despite these relocation
lives of resettlers as a people efforts, a few had mentioned their quality
• They noted the difference between living of life worsened after relocation due to very
precariously along the banks of the river
Ownership of housing units Failure to utilize skills acquired from livelihood trainings
Security of tenure due to lack of capital and equipment or materials
More peaceful, cleaner & greener communities Lack of employment opportunities but increase in
expenses
Enjoyment of community facilities
Some facilities are not fully operational
Enhanced leadership &entrepreneural skills
Continuation of illegal activities such as gambling,
Improved familial & communityrelationships
stealing, drinkingalcohol, dropping out of school
Job placement for some
Table 2. Comparison between the positive and negative impactsof relocation – based on interviews
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Fig. 34. Photo of informal dwellings against the backdrop
of a high rise commercial district in Makati, Manila
8.1 Recommendations for smoother resettlement activities in the future:
• Encouraging participation of community relocatees outside of the city should be
leaders is crucial to a successful given closer attention.
resettlement process.
• The host local government unit (LGU)
• In-city relocation should be prioritized can be supported financially and given
as it is more effective both in terms of more incentives since they bear the
cost and adjustment process. burden of accommodating the relocates.
• Procedures before and during relocation • Proper training/ capacity building should
have to be strictly implemented for be provided for the residents in
smooth flow of activities. relocation sites so these are equipped to
handle the needs and challenges of
• Livelihood opportunities and
adjusting to a new community.
employment as part of the benefits of
8.2Challenges for Building Professionals to size of the family, with or without an augmented
Humanize Resettlement Housing income.
Planning and building professionals (architects, It is a challenge to architects, builders and
engineers, urban planners and developers) are urban planners to assist in the effort to
enjoined to help their less privileged countrymen humanize socialized housing with a view
by offering their services “pro-bono” (with towards encouraging participatory
possibility of being given certificates of donation management in the relocation sites, respecting
for tax deduction) or for a minimal fee, to assist the rights of each family as the basic structure
in planning and executing these housing of society by considering the socio-cultural
blueprints to help each family enjoy a and economic factors which go into their
personalized dwelling unit according to their lifestyle, thereby implementing effective
unique requirements, having ample space and measures of sustainability and fostering
flexibility for expansion with an increase in the growth towards harmonious urbanization.
REFERENCES
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14, 2012.
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6. Moritz Kleine--Brockhoff, Squatting in
Manila, http://www.heinz-
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Diliman, Quezon City: March 2000.
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Vienna, 1985.
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the world’s most polluted rivers, Philippine
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Balanced Territorial Development, 03-06
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