Layunin ng publikasyongEditoryal UPDATE o Urban Poor Data and Analysis Established in 2010, Urban Poor Resource ang magbigay impormasyon at pagsusuri sa mga usaping mahalaga sa sektor ng maralitang lungsod. Isang layunin din ay ang pagpapaunawa Center of the , Incorporated ng kalagayan ng maralitang lungsod sa iba pang sektor na bumubuo (UPRCP) is a non-stock, non-profit resource sa lipunan. institution for the Filipino urban poor. It seeks to help shape public discourse and policy in Sa unang edisyon ng UPDATE, isinalarawan ang pangkalahatang kalagayan ng maralitang lungsod sa Pilipinas. Nagbigay din ng favor of urban poor interests and aspirations pagtingin ang UPRCP sa “centerpiece program” ng gobyerno upang through its programs, in the pursuit of realizing mapawi ang kahirapan – ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program genuine national development and ending (4Ps). poverty. Inilalabas ng UPRCP ang pangalawang edisyon ng UPDATE upang patampukin ang pagsusuri sa neoliberalismo at kung paano nito Board of Directors inaalisan ng obligasyon ang gobyerno sa kanyang mamamayan at sa halip ay nagiging instrumento ng pag-atake sa karapatan ng maralitang lungsod. Chairperson Dr. Gilda Peralta Atake sa maralitang lungsod

Vice-chairperson Ms. Leona Zarsuela Ayon sa gobyerno, ang isang pamilyang may limang tao ay nangangailangan ng Php 7, 890 (USD 174.52) kada buwan para sa mga batayang pangangailangan. Ibig sabihin, ang bawat miyembro ng Secretary Prof. Teresa Lorena Jopson pamilya ay magpapakasapat sa Php 52.60 (USD 1.16) para mabuhay sa loob ng isang araw. Ang ganitong pamantayan ay malayong-malayo sa halaga ng tunay na pangangailangan ng isang indibidwal. Treasurer Ms. Myra Vieta G.Mabilin Ang pamantayang ito ay ginagamit ng gobyerno upang pababain ang bilang ng mahihirap sa bansa. Ito ang ginagawa nilang palusot upang Member Prof. Melania Lagahit-Flores talikuran ang responsibilidad na magpatupad ng mga programang tunay na mag-aangat sa kalagayan ng maralitang lungsod. Kabilang sa mga maralitang lungsod ang mga manggagawa. Nananatiling nakapako ang sahod ng mga manggagawa at sa ibang Executive Committee mga rehiyon, ito ay higit na mababa dahil sa wage regionalization. Dahil sa malaking bilang ng walang trabaho, nagiging madali para sa mga malalaking empresa at pagawaan ang pag-empleyo ng mga Executive Director Luis D. Clarin manggagawa sa batayang kontraktwal. Nangangahulugan ito na wala silang natatanggap na benepisyo. Labas pa diyan, wala silang karapatang mag-unyon at kung magrereklamo man sila, madali lang Research Kayan Nadem Cunanan silang tanggalin. Maria Ima Carmela Ariate Ang mga nagsisikap dumiskarte upang mabuhay ay laging nangangambang mawalis mula sa kanilang mga pinagkukuhanan Education Terence Krishna Lopez ng kabuhayan. Siguro ay pamilyar naman tayo sa mga manininda sa & Cultural Development Roja Rivera bangketa at pedicab drivers na hinuhuli ng mga pwersa ng lokal na gobyerno. Projects & Services Sylva Fortuno Sa gitna ng kakarampot o walang katiyakang kumita araw-araw, pinagkakait ng gobyerno ang mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan. Nakikita ito sa kriminal na kapabayaan sa larangan ng pabahay, kalusugan, at edukasyon. Taun-taon, bumababa ang alokasyon ng gobyerno para sa serbisyong panlipunan. Ngayong 2015, 3.6% na lang ang kabuuang badyet sa kalusugan mula sa dating 4% at 0.4% na UPRCP, Inc. lang ang sa pabahay mula sa dating 0.8%. Kung may sakit ka at wala SEC Reg. CN201014025 | TIN 007-862-311 kang pambayad, nganga! Kabi-kabila ang mararahas na demolisyon na ipinatutupad ng gobyerno Address: Unit 202 #137 Matatag Street, at ng mga pribadong kumpanya sa ngalan umano ng ‘pag-unlad’. Ito ay Barangay Central, nakaayon sa Philippine Development Plan (PDP) na ipinapatupad ng rehimen, kasama rito ang Public-Private Partnership Program (PPP). Tampok ang mga demolisyon sa North Triangle, Corazon de Jesus, Email: [email protected] at kamakailan lamang ay sa Calaanan Compound, Caloocan City. Ang balangkas ng ‘pag-unlad’ na ito ay nakaayon sa mga patakarang neoliberal. Tampok ang pribatisasyon ng lupa sa neoliberalismo. Sa Tel.no: (+632) 9317439 pangmatagalan, wala itong maidudulot na signipikanteng pag-unlad sa buhay ng mga maralitang lungsod. Ang tanging nakikinabang dito Website: www.uprcp.com ay ang mga malalaking dayuhan at lokal na kumpanya.

Facebook Page: Uprc Phils (continued on page 13)

UPDATE 2 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Neoliberalization and the Filipino Urban Poor

Neoliberalization and the Filipino Urban Poor

In the past decades, neoliberal globalization has imposed to the urban centers with the hope of finding jobs, deregulation of labor markets and has enhanced the they just become potential prey to contractual work or supremacy and freer flow of capital. This has brought informal work. about huge profits to global companies and financial institutions. Conversely, the real value of wages has It is important to understand how neoliberalization regressed, inequality has become more palpable, and the adversely affects the urban poor sector. The urban poor value of labor power has been diminished. have always been stigmatized yet the impoverishment that they experience is a clear manifestation of the Neoliberal globalization has also ushered in severe symptomatic structural problems of the government. urban poverty. Being multi-dimensional, its aspects involve deprivation of different forms and can be seen In this light, UPDATE features critical articles that will in the urban poor’s lack of access to jobs, clean water, help us understand the reasons why the urban poor are sanitation, and shelter. One of the dimensions of urban deprived in many ways. The first one is Atty. Alnie G. poverty is monetary. As such, the urban poor are very Foja’s notes on neoliberal policies embedded in the vulnerable to external shocks and other fluctuations of Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992. the current economic system1. She assesses the contradictory practice of development for the urban poor but in the hands of private entities. In the Philippines, agencies that provide basic social The second one is Pio Verzola’s article questioning who services such as health and education have been targets development in Metro is for. He discusses how for privatization or are already privatized. Some services business establishments have obstructed waterways of the Philippine General Hospital, for example, are run with the permission of the government. He posits that by public-private partnerships. Consequently, many of these businesses cause floods and not the urban poor the penniless clients who have no choice but to avail of settlements. these services need to pay up. It is the private partners who will benefit the most from this. The unregulated It is vital to look at some of the critical questions that prices of oil; privatized utilities; and the high costs of frame urban poverty in the Philippines. The government importation have led to the unrelenting rise of prices of has failed to alleviate poverty through the Conditional basic goods and commodities. The government continues Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme of the Department of to give these companies tax incentives while failing to Social Work and Development (DSWD). In fact, the implement controls on prices. CCT has just become a cash cow for corrupt government officials. It can be said that the poor in the cities are victims of the market’s dictates on governance many times over. We need to Because the Philippine government finds big businesses understand vital for development and modernization, the controls are the reasons very lax. Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), which counts Mitsubishi why the as one of its investors, has developed a project in Sitio militant San Roque, Quezon City. The project being marketed as urban poor Vertis North has caused the eviction of thousands of urban movement poor. The same thing has happened with the project in has been Santa Clara, Batangas. Spearheaded by the government advancing. with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Moreover, funding the research and development, thousands were there is forced to leave. While millions continue to be displaced, value in only a handful of real estate developers continue to rake (Photo credit: Yahoo!) exposing in cash with the help of the government. and opposing the genuine reasons that cause poverty and Many workers and employees from the private and denigration not only of the poor but also of the entire public sectors reside in urban poor areas. Because of Philippine people. the collusion between the government and private enterprises, policies that cheapen wages are in place and are even violated. As people from the rural areas migrate 1. Mathur, Om Prakash. (August 2013). Urban Poverty in Asia. Philippines: published for the Asian Development Bank.

UPDATE 3 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Housing the homeless poor

affordable under UDHA definition but this detaches the beneficiaries from their main sources of livelihood Housing the homeless poor in the urban areas without any provision for the same or driving away Urban Dysfunction? opportunities in the resettlement areas. This makes By: Atty. Alnie G. Foja resettlement projects not viable in the long run. Beneficiaries end up abandoning the shelters given them because they are forced between the painful choice of having shelter versus having food on their stomach. As Housing program and urban development some beneficiaries put it: Resettlement is a case of “from danger zone to death zone.” RA 7279 or the Urban If development negates the poor’s right or access to Development decent and affordable housing, then, it is a case of one and Housing program that cancels the other. Act (UDHA), is touted as How to uplift the conditions of the underprivileged and a pro-poor homeless citizens? measure aimed As is worded, the objective is to “uplift the conditions of primarily at the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas uplifting the Photo credit: Henry Enaje and in resettlement areas by making available to them conditions of decent housing at affordable cost, basic services, and the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas employment opportunities” by making available to them decent housing at affordable cost. This may be so at first glance, for scattered in the On Resettlement and On-Site Development various sections of this law are supposed reference to this noble objective. In fact, it comes first in the Declaration Resettlement is as important an objective as on-site of State Policy and Program Objectives. development. On–site Development is defined as the process of upgrading and rehabilitation of blighted and However, a closer look at the wordings of the law will show slum urban areas with a view of minimizing displacements that the unusual and irreconcilable mixture of housing of dwellers in said areas, and with provisions for basic program for the homeless poor and urban development in services xxx”. But while On-Site Development is written a single piece of legislation, is a fatal defect. As discussed in the law, its wordings are couched in such a way that below, housing program for the homeless poor when preference of other modes of housing or land acquisition lumped into an urban development program results to may be had, as follows: “Where on-site development the driving away of the poor from their urban settlements is found more practicable and advantageous to the to far-flung resettlement areas in order to give way to beneficiaries, the priorities mentioned in this section “urban development” which provides opportunities for shall not apply. The local government units shall give big businesses to have big profits. This is what has been budgetary priority to on-site development of government happening under the auspices of the UDHA. lands.” Thus, if on-site development is not found more practicable and advantageous to the beneficiaries, Can housing for the underprivileged and homeless resettlement can always be resorted to. This interpretation citizens and urban development really go hand in is also justified by the fact that the law placed upon hand? Development based on what and for whom? the LGU’s the very heavy burden of giving budgetary Can the government implement urban development priorities to on-site development. Do LGU’s have the without hurting the poor’s right to decent and affordable capacity to finance on-site development? How many sites housing? have local governments developed? Do the beneficiaries’ opinion on what is more practicable and advantageous Basic concepts to be clearly defined are: What figure in the decision-making process? The law does not developments are allowed? In what context is a housing say so. project decent and affordable? How will a housing program benefit the poor in the long run? Rational use and development of urban land

A housing program via resettlement to far-flung Rational use and development of urban land is also undeveloped communities may pass as decent and an objective of the program. At the same time though, rational use and development is required to bring about the

UPDATE 4 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Housing the homeless poor

Map of demolitions provided by Dr. Arnisson Andre Ortega development of urban areas conducive to commercial and the government should first expand development or industrial activities which can generate more economic employment opportunities from the urban to the rural opportunities for the people. areas so that resettlement in these rural areas will become viable. People will follow development or employment Innocuous as this may seem, this may actually contradict the opportunities wherever they may be found even without very objective of decent housing at affordable cost because the government forcing them into relocation. development of urban areas conducive to commercial and industrial activities is likely to result to eviction of the A glaring fact that the government needs to accept and poor dwelling in the areas to be developed. take into consideration: People crowd the metropolis because it is in these areas that they find their means Does the UDHA provide for a definite solution to housing to live. And so, any resettlement area sans sources of needs of those who will be affected by this development? livelihood will never work. People will always go back Again, resettlement seems to be the convenient answer. to where they find their means to live.

Reduction in urban dysfunctions People’s participation in the urban development process Alarmingly, rational use and development of urban land is also aimed at the reduction in urban dysfunctions, Encourage more effective people’s participation in particularly, those that adversely affect public health, safety the urban development process is also an objective. and ecology. The law does not specifically define what But business-driven development can never be for the urban dysfunctions are. But as worded, urban dysfunctions needy. could refer to those who dwell on danger zones and those who are accused of cluttering the water passageways. What of people’s right to participate in the urban If this is so, then UDHA legalizes or rationalizes the development process? This right to participate in the reduction of urban dysfunctions (read: eviction of those context of development and as validated by government’s living in places that adversely affect public health, safety existing practice, is a token, at best. At its worst, it can and ecology). Where to now, homeless urban poor? Again, be abused as an imprimatur of acceptance by the society resettlement seems to be the convenient answer. or by the affected community of urban development that displaces the community “in the meantime”. A case Balanced urban and rural interdependence of, “please bear the inconvenience, the government is working to improve our urban landscape. Meantime, we The program is also intended to bring about “balanced shall relocate you to far-flung areas.” urban and rural interdependence.” But in practical terms, what does a housing program got to do with urban and It does sound well and good, only that, in the areas where rural interdependence? The burden of urban and rural they will be relocated, there are no job opportunities interdependence must not be lumped with a housing nor sources of livelihood. They are far from the nearest program as this will involve the overhauling of the hospital or public school. Transportation cost alone government’s development priorities. Does resettlement restricts the beneficiaries from finding works elsewhere. bring about urban and rural interdependence? Can they then be faulted if they decide to abandon their “homes” and go back to where they were plucked For urban and rural interdependence to materialize, from?

4 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 UPDATE 5 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Housing the homeless poor

National Urban Development and Housing Framework The cycle of migration is repeated. In the process, huge wastage of government money for resettlement projects The law refers to a national development and housing is incurred. framework, and yet, the law’s implementation is charged to the LGUs. How will this work? The lesson is, if the homeless urban poor are resettled to areas that do not support and sustain livelihood, housing Socialized housing as the primary strategy woes are not effectively addressed. Rather, it perpetuates the cycle of migration and the waste of taxpayers’ money. Socialized housing is the primary strategy according to In between, demolitions and forced evictions are resorted Section 15. to resulting to loss of lives and livelihood. “Sec. 15. Policy - Socialized housing, as defined in Section 3 hereon, shall be the primary strategy in providing shelter Improving the capability of LGUs for the underprivileged and homeless. xxx xxx xxx”

The law is also said to improve the capability of LGUs. No Section 3 r, in turn, defines what socialized housing is, question, the LGUs’ capability must really be improved as follows: because the LGUs are the primary implementers of the law. "Socialized housing" refers to housing programs and projects covering houses and lots or home lots only But how does the UDHA capacitate the LGUs? Do LGUs undertaken by the Government or the private sector have the funds to house its homeless poor? for the underprivileged and homeless citizens which shall include sites and services development, long-term Who are the beneficiaries? financing, liberalized terms on interest payments, and such other benefits in accordance with the provisions of The underprivileged this Act;” and homeless citizens are said to If socialized housing, the primary strategy, is to be be the beneficiaries undertaken by the Government or the private sector, then of the UDHA. They why are the LGUs charged with the implementation of the are “individuals or UDHA? Or why is socialized housing to be undertaken families residing by the private sector? And how? in urban and urbanizable areas Public rental whose income or combined household Photo credit: Neen Sapalo Section 12 states that “a scheme for public rental housing income falls within may be adopted”. Do we have an existing program or the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic scheme for this? If yes, does it give hsecurity of lease at and Development Authority and who do not own housing an affordable rate for a long enough period? Public rental facilities. This shall include those who live in makeshift housing at an affordable rate guaranteed for a sufficient dwelling units and do not enjoy security of tenure”. number of years may be explored as one of the solutions but this is not given sufficient attention in the law. Do LGUs have accurate and updated database of the beneficiaries in their localities? Knowing and identifying Land Use, Inventory, Acquisition and Disposition the intended beneficiaries is one important requisite of a government housing program. Is Section 7 on land use and inventory properly undertaken by the LGUs? Are the inventories updated every 3 Have the HUDCC and the LGUs designed a system for years? Making an inventory of the government’s lands registration of beneficiaries as provided under Section and transparency as regards this information is another 17? If yes, is this system accurate and up to date? Are important requisite of a government housing program. there measures in place to guard against tampering and manipulation?

UPDATE 6 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Housing the homeless poor

Basic services on resettlement areas areas. So many questions and Section 21 states: issues are left SEC. 21. Basic Services. – Socialized housing or unanswered. resettlement areas shall be provided by the local There are government unit or the National housing Authority in no measures cooperation with the private developers and concerned undertaken to agencies with the following basic services and facilities. ensure that the a. Potable water; resettlement b. Power and electricity and an adequate power distribution areas will system; thrive as c. Sewerage facilities and an efficient and adequate power sustainable distribution communities system; and of real people. d. Access to primary roads and transportation facilities. Rather then Photo credit: Interaksyon.com housing the poor urban informal settlers, they are, as a The provision of other basic services and facilities such as result, viewed and treated as urban dysfunctions and are health, education, communications, security, recreation, driven away from danger zones to death zones. This is relief and welfare shall be planned and shall be given a scheme that only promotes the cycle of migration and priority for implementation by the local government unit perpetuates wastage of taxpayers’ money. and concerned agencies in cooperation with the private 6) The current practice by government agencies on sector and the beneficiaries themselves. housing and by the LGUs show that development is prioritized at the expense of the homeless poor. This is The local government unit, in coordination with the evidenced by the relentless demotion of communities concerned national agencies, shall ensure that these basic in various cities and the occurrence of fires in these services are provided at the most cost-efficient rates, and communities. shall set a mechanism to coordinate operationally the 7) I am unable to find self-executing sections in the thrusts, objectives and activities of other government law that will directly benefit the homeless poor; agencies concerned with providing basic services to 8) The law lacks the fundamentals of a successful housing projects. housing program (according to me), as follows: a) Correct framework: Housing the poor is The above provision appears comforting at first glance government’s primary obligation. The private sector’s until one wonders how this is going to be implemented. participation may be tapped but main implementer If the housing is undertaken by the LGU or the national should be the government. Any profit that the private government in cooperation with a private company, how sector wishes to derive should not be borne by the will the government compel the private company to beneficiaries; provide other basic services and facilities? b) Decent and affordable housing alone do not meet the criteria. In addition, decent and affordable housing Implementation by the LGU – how and which LGU is to should be located in communities that support the ensure that the other basic services are implemented? beneficiaries’ livelihood. Decent and affordable housing in places that sustain life; Thus, I recommend the repeal of the UDHA for the c) National agency implementer that will work hand following reasons: in hand with the LGUs and not the other way around; 1) The law is fatally defective as it lumped housing d) Secure and fixed funding, sufficient enough to program into urban development; carry out, at least, the minimum target; 2) The law tasked the LGUs as the primary e) Inventory of government lands and buildings; and implementers when sources of funding are from the f) Database of intended beneficiaries per LGU. Database must be maintained by a national agency in national or other agencies; order to insulate it from political abuse. 3) Funding allocation in Section 42 is volatile and fixed 9) The law does not sufficiently explore other modes on fluctuating factors. This indicates lack of seriousness of housing the homeless poor. For example, even in in addressing the housing problems; industrialized countries, the focus is not on home 4) The law does not clarify how a database of ownership only. Public rental and the likes may be beneficiaries will be created and no separate funding for explored. this is allocated; 10) There is no penal provision for those who, in the 5) The hidden intention of the law is to relocate or guise of implementing the UDHA, are found to have resettle urban informal settlers. Unfortunately, the program violated the rights of the homeless and urban poor does not address and finance the development of resettlement community settlers. 6 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 UPDATE 7 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 4th urban poor study session co-sponsored with UMAGA tackles “Right to the City”

The 4th session contribute to the Metro’s production of space. of the Urban Poor There were also some examples of inhabitants Study Group entitled asserting their right to occupy and use produced “Filipino Urban space for subsistence. Poor’s Right to the City I” was held on The urban poor’s perceptions on their right to the 19th of June at housing; their diminished role in the development the Ateneo de Manila of urban centers; how they are systematically University (AdMU). disenfranchised in a multitude of ways; and how Professor Michael D. they advance their ‘right to the city’ were just Pante, Chairperson some of the issues raised during the open forum. of Ugnayan ng mga Makabayang Guro sa To close the study session, Dr. Ortega and CJ Ateneo (UMAGA), Changco handed school supplies for the Balik expressed his Eskwela program of the Kalipunan ng Damayang eagerness on Mahihirap (KADAMAY). This would benefit the activities like this, school children of Sitio San Roque, a community “We feel that discussions involving the academe and the that has been partially demolished. Professor Arcilla’s concerned sectors are very productive and can encourage students also turned over copies of the Comprehensive the formulation of practical solutions.” Land Use Plans of the cities that comprise . “This is symbolic of the spirit of the Urban Professor Chester Arcilla of the University of the Poor Study Group. We can do research and the urban Philippines (UP) – Manila stressed the main objective of poor organizations can use the knowledge to advance the Group when he opened the session, “What we want campaigns against demolition, for instance,” Hannah to do is communicate concepts pertinent to the needs Catiis, the representative of the class, noted. and struggles of the urban poor sector on one hand and provide a venue for people’s organizations immersed Twenty-seven participants including a PhD in poor communities to impart concrete experiences on candidate from the University of Sydney; graduate the other hand. We can move things forward with the students of sociology, geography, political science; synthesis of the lessons from both parties involved.” the Ecumenical Institute for Labor, Education, and Research (EILER); Anakpawis Partylist; and Two speakers from the Geography Department of the KADAMAY participated in the 4th session of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman Urban Poor Study Group. This succeeds the 3rd were invited. The first lecturer, Dr. Arnisson Andre Ortega, session themed “Social Justice in the City: Towards shared a radical interpretation of Henri Lefebvre’s “Right Alternative Housing for the Poor.” In the previous to the City”. He noted that Lefebvre’s notion of ouvre session, Dr. Ernesto Serote of the School of Urban or labor means working together to create urban spaces. and Regional Planning (SURP) was invited. Moreover, urban space is a space for heterogeneity. In poor countries like the Philippines, ouvre is eroded because of the dialectics of use and exchange value. Consequently, land has become an object of speculation. This has implications on property rights and the city as well as on the urban areas as politico- If you are interested territorial entities. in joining the future sessions or if you Entitled “Food in the City”, Dr. Kristian Saguin have any inquiries, showed cases on the cultivation of food in the city. please don’t hesitate This kind of production emerges from two trends. to get in touch with The first one is the need to provide food and green us at uprcp.inc@ space in the cities with an emphasis on exchange gmail.com. value. The second one is the struggle of the urban poor to maintain control over their communities and their involvement in the production of urban space. Towards the end, he demonstrated how some urban poor communities collectively make decisions that A new development agenda to replace the failed Millenium majority of the world’s population is still held hostage Development Goals (MDGs) promises a world free of by systemic injustices and the long-standing problems poverty, hunger, disease, and want by 2030. Leaders of of poverty, landlessness, unemployment, precarious member states of the United Nations will once again employment conditions, environmental degradation, gather for the UN Summit in September 2015 to adopt indebtedness, discrimination, and violence. the Post-2015 Development Agenda, a set of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. These UN processes in which the UPRCP engages in through the AP-RCEM platform have allowed the The new agenda pledges that nobody will be left behind. organization to give voice to the sector in such inter- Could this be the end in sight for the suffering inflicted on governmental discourses. These have also led us to the workers, farmers, and the world’s poor? translate the technical UN language to one that is comprehensible for the grassroots. Millenium, sustainable development goals and the urban poor For the urban poor, “sustainable” means available for all and lasting. Sustainability is addressing the root causes The urban poor in the Philippines are confronted with of poverty. In agricultural and pre-industrial countries problems of depressed wages, falling income, massive like the Philippines, the root causes of poverty can be unemployment and underemployment, and price hikes. attributed to: 1. the existing condition of a failed land

Sustainable development goals: the road to 2030 under the neoliberal economic policy By: Myra Vieta G. Mabilin

Consequently, poor workers and reform that leads to unequal the unemployed are pushed to distribution and inaccessibility live in slum areas in the cities. of land and underperformance According to UN-Habitat, Asia of the different sectors in rural has 60% of the world’s total slum areas and 2. the backward population and many more live and underdeveloped Filipino in slum-like conditions in areas industry. Notably, the that are officially designated as country relies on handicraft non-slums. production, service economy, and informal economy as its The existing condition of unequal own industries. These cannot distribution and inaccessibility sustain a viable and people- of land in rural areas aggravate oriented national economy. On massive rural to urban migration the onset however, big private through policies including land corporations, mostly foreign- use conversion, land grabbing, backed, seemingly soar high and contracts for foreign in key urban cities. monopolies. UPRCP joins the AP-RCEM CSO Forum on Sustainable Development on May 2015 in Bangkok. The article was In the context of accelerated presented during the Forum through several interventions and globalization, urban poverty short presentations. Road to perdition has worsened as decades of adherence to neoliberal policies continue. Even the so- The neoliberal economic policy imposed upon less called developing countries in the region are unable to developed countries has been exposed as unsustainable create sufficient jobs and social services for their rapidly as early as the Asian financial crisis in 1997.Yet these growing population. This is the end for the MDGs - a set so-called emerging markets that adhere to this Western- of broken promises. imposed economic policy continue to suffer from rising prices of imports, falling export prices, and ever- Now, the final draft of the outcome document for the UN expanding debt burden. Summit is seemingly comprehensive in form. However, the SDG, like its predecessor, is not only without flaws Given free rein on the market and the limited role of states but fails to target the root causes of perennial urban and in monetary policies, accumulation of profits and private rural poverty. capital by the few monopoly capitalists has never been warrrantless. Workers wages are depressed and social This position of the UPRCP resonates with the Asia Pacific spending constrained. Regional Coordinating Engagement Mechanism’s (AP- RCEM) Political Declaration that recognizes globalization For as long as neoliberalism remains the dominant and the neoliberal development agenda as the cause of system in the world’s economic system, there will be no deep and entrenched inequalities of wealth; power and sustainable development that will benefit the world’s poor resources between countries; between rich and poor; and and resolve hunger and poverty. between men and women and other social groups. The You want to clear Manila’s waterways? Clear these first

overlooking Manila City Hall, the National Museum You want to clear (the old Congress building). In 1898 and the early American period, the entire area was traversed by a Manila’s waterways? complex tidewater creek called Canal de Balete and its tributaries. Clear these first Now let’s see how the area looks now, first in Google By: Pio Verzola, Jr. Map (Map 1B): The government of big landlord-big bourgeois scions Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas has recently announced a plan to clear Metro Manila’s waterways of some 20,000 informal settler families. Their reason is that urban poor shanties are a big (if not the biggest) factor in clogging these waterways and thus in worsening floods during the rainy season.

This has fanned the already raging fires of debate between those social sectors that hate the urban poor aka informal settlers aka squatters aka homeless poor aka scum of the earth, and those social sectors who support Map 1 B (or consider themselves part of) the urban poor and who believe that they are people with rights, not scum of the earth. And next in Google Earth (Map 1C):

I will have more to say later about the points being debated by both sides. But for now, let me just focus on one simple question: What kinds of structures will be affected if we are truly serious and determined in declogging Metro Manila’s waterways? And since I don’t have the luxury of time to write a research tract on this subject, let me just focus on the very heartland of Manila that district that surrounds the old Spanish city called Intramuros.

Map 1 C Notice that the original Canal de Balete has been drastically trimmed off. Its natural system of tributaries and runoff rivulets are now almost totally covered by concrete roads, the National Museum, the Manila City Hall, the Philippine Normal University, Hotel Indah Manila (formerly YMCA), and surprise SM City Manila. The surviving Estero de Balete a zombie of its old self despite efforts at rehabilitation remains a stagnant and stinking dark-gray cesspool in the dry season, and a MAP 1A. Waterways such as creeks and esteros crisscrossed slow-flowing and greenish cesspool that doesn’t fully the very heartland of Manila until the early American period. flush its detritus in the rainy season. Should we look This shows the Manila City Hall area in an old Spanish map far and wide for reasons why? Should we look far and circa 1898. wide for reasons, too, whenever we see Lagusnilad turn into an Olympic-size swimming pool during heavy Consider Map 1A, showing the area beyond the downpours? I don’t think so. eastern ramparts of Intramuros now traversed by (including Lagusnilad) and Padre Burgos and

UPDATE 10 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 You want to clear Manila’s waterways? Clear these first

“Clear the waterways” ba kamo? Umpisahan kaya natin sa mga istrukturang ito na bumabara sa daloy ng tubig have cut across the NBI and Supreme Court compounds, sa pinaka-pusod ng Maynila. exited in the vicinity of the Philippine General Hospital, and farther on would have ran along some length of Taft Want to see another example? Let’s proceed southbound Avenue all the way to Herran. At that point it would along Taft Avenue. This time, let’s inspect the current have extended into a small creek and rivulets in the maps of this particular section of the famous vicinity of the Philippine Christian University and the district, Map 2A (a screen capture from Google Earth) Philippine Women’s University. and Map 2B (from Google Maps):

That waterway through the Taft-Ermita area is now lost, perhaps replaced by gutters, culverts and drainage mains, all underground and easily clogged by garbage from the big universities, office buildings, shops and restaurants in the area. Move along now, folks, no urban poor squatters to blame here.

So, I ask again, “clear the waterways” ba kamo? Umpisahan kaya natin sa mga istrukturang ito na bumabara sa daloy ng tubig sa pinaka-pusod ng Maynila. Map 2 A I haven’t had time to double-check the paths of all other late 19th-century and early 20th-century waterways in and around Manila. But it’s almost certain that a tributary and confluence of the Estero de Bilibid (now disappeared), which more than a hundred years ago ran in front of the Presidio y Carcel Publica in Spanish times (now Manila City Jail), are now covered partly by Lerma St., partly by the along the Recto underpass-overpass area, and partly by the Far Eastern University Campus. Upstream, this same Estero de Bilibid tributary ran roughly along what is now España Boulevard.

Sections of the complex Estero de San Miguel, now Map 2 B either lost or drastically constricted, have given way to commercial buildings, some industries, universities, Now carefully compare these maps with their equivalent and old residential neighborhoods (mostly middle- section in the old 1898 map. Notice that this other major class, interspersed with slum housing) from eastern tributary of Canal de Balete flows downstream northwest- Quiapo and San Sebastian to Tanduay and San Miguel. ward, roughly parallel and to the west of what is now A couple of big commercial properties have practically Taft Avenue. The swampy ox-bow loop of the waterway smothered estero sections that run through (or under) in the upper-left corner of the old map is now covered by them, although Adamson University takes pride in its the Teodoro Valencia (formerly Agrifina) Circle and the estero rehabilitation program. I haven’t even talked ’s giant relief map. about the buried, dead, and dying esteros of the Binondo and Sta. Cruz-Quiapo business districts. Following the waterway upstream, we see that it ran southeast between what is now Manila Doctors Hospital So, again, “clear the waterways” ba kamo? Umpisahan and the towering Times Plaza near UN Avenue’s kaya natin sa mga istrukturang ito na bumabara sa LRT station, then right smack into the World Health daloy ng tubig sa pinaka-pusod ng Maynila? Organization. After that, the now-lost waterway would

10 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 UPDATE 11 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 “You want to clear Manila’s waterways?”

Now I’ll be honest with you. I don’t really wish that these venerable buildings and thoroughfares are demolished. Many of these structures are of historical value and of continuing social service to the public. Instead of demolishing them, maybe we are better off to just carefully study and implement alternative ways of improving Metro Manila’s drainage system without majorly disrupting the city’s normal day-to-day life.

But if this callous government would insist on demolishing entire “squatter” communities and uprooting 20,000 urban poor families who have nowhere else to go (except maybe pour into the streets in mass protests if not into hills to join the NPA), then may I respectfully suggest that we start the demolition campaign by targeting some of these choice structuralculprits, sitting pretty right in the heartland of Manila.

Map 2 C

If the law is meant to harass rather than protect people’s rights, then I insist on equal harassment under the law.

Epilogue to “You want to clear Manila’s waterways? Clear these first.”

I wrote this blog piece in July 2013, at the height of the Aquino government’s campaign to clear Metro Manila The defect with these arguments is that they are good waterways of their informal-settler communities, on paper but highly dubious if not outright fallacious estimated at 100,000 families living as “squatters” near in reality. or on top of the waterways. “We are targeting 20,000 of them to be cleared and relocated in 2013,” said a DILG On the “geohazard” argument: It is true that many official in October 2013. Filipinos—and not just informal settlers—live in geohazard zones. But why does the government pick The main justifications invoked by the government on urban poor communities for relocation, but allow in demolishing the homes of informal-settler families oil storage facilities along Pasig River, or big schools (ISFs) along waterways are that: (a) they are living in like Ateneo and Marian along the West Valley Fault? dangerous (geohazard) zones susceptible to floods and So many indigenous villages are situated on what the earthquakes; and (b) they are major pollutants and cause government classifies as landslide-prone zones, and yet of waterway clogging because of lack of proper sewerage they are able to cope through such simple indigenous and waste disposal. and collectively implemented methods as riprapping, vegetative sloping, and self-relocation. In short, The government also invokes other arguments applicable the solution (in most cases) is not to relocate entire to non-waterway ISF communities, such as (c) they are communities, but to improve on-site infrastructure to squatting on private land that the owner wants cleared, or minimize if not totally eliminate the said geohazards. on public land that the government needs for other uses; and (d) these ISFs are better off in any case if they move to relocation sites. UPDATE 12 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 “You want to clear Manila’s waterways?”

On the “pollution and clogging” argument: This isn’t On the “relocation” argument: Much has already been supported by hard data that quantifies the real sources of written about the government’s relocation programs that solid and liquid waste being disposed on Metro Manila are so promising on paper but disappointing in reality, watherways. It is merely premised on some statistics and need not be repeated here. Throughout the world, showing the bigger lack of toilets and private sewage among policy makers, there is now much rethinking facilities among urban poor communities. Again, why about urban planning approaches in favor of on-site does the government single out these communities, when development, not relocation. Clearly, what the country the pollution, garbage, and clogged-drainage problems are needs is a comprehensive program of socio-economic metro-wide, have complex chains of sources and causes development that allows for a broad and balanced (including big industrial and commercial operations) approach to solving the problem of urban housing and and ultimately goes back to government shortcomings urban congestion. in public utilities and infrastructure? Again, the solution (in most cases) is not to relocate entire communities, but Such a program must give the highest attention to to improve general metropolitan services and on-site genuine land reform and national industrialization— infrastructure in urban poor communities. the first if only to rebalance migration from the over- congested cities back to revitalized rural areas, and the I could write a long separate article on the “ownership second to provide livelihood to the millions who live and land-use” argument, but it isn’t just pro-urban in the cities and other non-agricultural areas. Only in poor rights advocates who have become very critical that context can we better plan the location and shape of the government’s extreme bias in favor of private of urban communities in ways that foster social justice, land ownership and privately-initiated real estate equality, and sustainability. development, while being remiss in its commitment and duty to maximizing public use (including an expanded program of public mass housing and security of tenure) for public lands.

(ContinuedEditoryal from page 2) Kung gaano kalaki ang dadambungin na higanteng Nababalitaan natin ang laganap na mga pagkilos tubo ay ganoon din katindi ang pasistang atake sa ng mga manggagawa na malaking bahagi ng maralita at mamamayan. Walang puwang ang mga maralitang lungsod. Mula sa pakikipagnegosasyon maralitang lungsod sa inaasam nilang ‘pag-unlad’ para sa dagdag-sahod at benepisyo, pagsasampa kaya nabubuo ang mga kuntsabahan sa pagitan ng mga kaso laban sa mga kumpanyang ng mga kinauukulan at mga malalaking negosyo. nagpapatupad ng kontraktwalisyon, at iligal na Sa ganitong paraan, nagiging ligal ang paggamit pagtatanggal sa trabaho hanggang sa pagtatayo ng ng dahas upang palayasin ang mga maralitang picketIine at pagkakasa ng mga welga. lungsod sa kanilang komunidad at pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan. Makasaysayan ang ginawang pagharang at pagpigil ng mga residente ng Sitio San Roque sa Ito ay nakababahala. Ayon sa tala ng Kalipunan marahas na pagpapaalis sa kanila ng gobyerno ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), umabot at Ayala. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, halos na sa 16 lider-maralita ang pinaslang sa limang kalahati pa ng populasyon ng Sitio San Roque taong panunungkulan ni Noynoy. Tuloy-tuloy din ang nakatirik pa rin ang mga bahay. Patuloy ang panggigipit at harassment sa mga maralitang ang kanilang pagdedepensa para sa kanilang lungsod na lumalaban. karapatan sa paninirahan. Nagsilbi itong ehemplo ng sama-samang pagkilos ng mga komunidad ‘Di pagagapi na kumakaharap sa pwersahang pagpapalayas at demolisyon. Matindi man ang dinadanas, nagagawa pa rin ng mga maralitang lungsod na igpawan at Bilang bahagi ng lipunan, mahalagang balikan mangibabaw sa sitwasyon. Sa gitna ng papatinding kung paano hinuhubog ng mayorya ang kahirapan, patuloy ang kanilang pagpupunyagi kasaysayan. Sa ganitong konteksto, ano ba ang para sa kanilang karapatan sa nakabubuhay na maiaambag natin para makatulong sa pag-angat sahod, disente at regular na trabaho, serbisyong mula sa kahirapan at sa tunay na pag-unlad ng panlipunan o kahit sa simpleng usapin na mabuhay lipunan na pakikinabangan ng lahat? ng marangal sa bansa.

12 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 UPDATE 13 Vol. 2 No. 1 July 2015 Urban poor sector pays tribute to beloved icon via “Nanay Mameng, isang dula” By: Terence Krishna Lopez As a tribute to the life and times of urban poor sector icon poor sector - Carmen “Nanay Mameng” Deunida, the Urban Poor Resource landlessness, Center of the Philippines, Inc. (UPRCP) and Kalipunan ng joblessness, Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) staged “Nanay Mameng, low wages, isang dula” in March 2014 and February 2015. eviction, health and education, The play was about Nanay Mameng’s struggles from her among others. childhood during the Second World War to her married life and to the present - having witnessed 13 Presidents elected into It starts office and yet, in her own words, “wala pa ring pagbabago” with Nanay (Nothing has changed). Mameng waking up in The 2014 play was written by Amanda Echanis. It was directed her hospital by independent dance and theater artist Edwin Quinsayas and bed after her professional theater artist and musician Noel Taylo. Staged at brain surgery Tanghalang PUP (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), in 2013. After it was a big production with a cast of more than 40 artists she wakes from different organizations. It had three shows and generated up, she meets a creature, “Sakit”, who represents her an audience of about 2,100. disease and embodies the cancer of society. Throughout the play, they battle it out on the stage that transforms It happens one day as Nanay Mameng prepares for a speech in from a hospital room into different milieus, depending a tribute event that her comrades are setting up for her and then, on the realities of Nanay Mameng and “Sakit”. she gets visited by her conscience - five different characters representing her in different times of her life. They help her revisit Once again directed by Quinsayas and Taylo, written her life. These recollections show how greatly she has influenced by a pool of writers led by Echanis, and lit by Catoy the urban poor sector and how important her contributions to and Malagueno, it is top billed by union organizer and the ongoing struggles are. The whole play was a spectacle of first-time actress Tess Dioquino (Nanay Mameng) and song and dance numbers culminating in one big “rally” showing Tao Aves (younger Mameng) with stage actors Eshei Nanay Mameng at the center. Mesina and Jennifer Dabu playing the role of “Sakit”. Sheryl Ceasico, Nel Estuya, Alexis Betito, cultural In that first staging, Nanay Mameng was played by veteran workers Ryan Murillo, Jojo Zerrudo and Jane Balleta stage and screen actress, Ermie Concepcion with support from completed the cast. musician Tao Aves, human rights defender Loy Villarias, stage actress Alexx Yuaga, development worker Lei Calvo, and youth Also in the creative pool is visual artist Rowena Bayon activist Aila Bathan. Artists from Sinagbayan, Sining Kadamay, from UP Multisectoral Alliance taking charge of the Tambisan sa Sining, SIKLAB, TABAKK, Pentagon Workers the production design. Anino Shadow Play Collective’s Union, KARATULA, Musicians for Peace, and Art Action Toni Muñoz did the sound design. Musicians Tony Palis Network also lent their support. Filmmakers Adjani Arumpac and and Karl Ramirez composed and arranged the theme Brandon Relucio with musician RJ Mabilin, Gerone Centeno, “Awit kay Virgilio”, which was written by Quinsayas and Hiyas Bagabaldo were in charge of the play’s videos. and Terence Lopez. Acclaimed lights designer Katsch Catoy helmed the technical direction and lights design along with Kristine Malagueno. With 3,000 people in attendance, this year’s staging proceeds went to Nanay Mameng’s continuing The success of the first staging led to another run this year at medication and UPRCP’s services in urban poor Miriam College’s Little Theater. Once again collaborating with communities. The play also plans to have a community Art Action Network, UPRCP and KADAMAY produced an tour. entirely different play, in terms of form and staging concept. Using expressionistic and magical-realism, this year’s play had UPRCP and KADAMAY note that the success of the only eight characters on stage and was bereft of big production play is much owed to the overwhelming support and numbers. Instead, it dealt more introspectively into the life of solidarity from organizations outside the sector - the Nanay Mameng and connected it to the different issues of the urban peasants, workers, students, academe, church, artists, government employees, health workers, and even government agencies.

The play was in partnership with Miriam College’s Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Miriam (Miriam College Student Council) and the College’s volunteerism arm Institutional Network for Social Action (INSA). It was supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Council for Health and Development (CHD), Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of General Employees (COURAGE), and in part by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). UPRCP’s Previous Event

UPRCP’s Previous Event Cinemaralita goes to PUP. Prof. Belly Ygot, Director of Polytechnic Uni- versity of the Philippines’ University Center for Culture and the Arts (PUP Studying outside the university. On May 9, students UCCA), talks about art and protest at from UP Manila in a study tour listen to a resident the CineMaralita Film Fest at Tangha- of Sitio San Roque as she tackles the present lang PUP on Jan. 27. situation of their community. Cinemaralita goes to PUP. Prof. Belly Ygot, Director of PolytechnicUrban Poor Uni -Study Group III. Dr. Ernesto Serote, from the School of versity of the Philippines’Urban University and Regional Planning (SURP), UP Diliman, gave a lecture Center for Culture and the Arts (PUP Studying outside the university. On May 9, students UCCA), talks about arton and Alternative protest at Housing for the Filipino Urbanfrom Poor UP on Manila April in27. a study tour listen to a resident the CineMaralita Film Fest at Tangha- of Sitio San Roque as she tackles the present lang PUP on Jan. 27. situation of their community.

Urban Poor Study Group III. Dr. Ernesto Serote, from the School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), UP Diliman, gave a lecture on Alternative Housing for the Filipino Urban Poor on April 27.

Luis D. Clarin, UPRCP’s Executive Director, closes the Cinemaralita leg at the Tanduay picket line by linking the Solidarity with the workers. Tanduay workers from issues and campaigns of the workers and the urban poor Tanggulan Ugnayang Daluyang Lakas ng Anakpawis on June 27. sa Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TUDLA) wait for the Luis D. Clarin, UPRCP’s Executive Director, closes the screening of ‘Ka Bel’ on June 27. Cinemaralita leg at the Tanduay picket line by linking the Solidarity with the workers. Tanduay workers from issues and campaigns of the workers and the urban poor Tanggulan Ugnayang Daluyang Lakas ng Anakpawis on June 27. sa Tanduay Distillers Inc. (TUDLA) wait for the screening of ‘Ka Bel’ on June 27.

UPRCP WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR ARTICLES UPRCP WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR ARTICLES ATTY. ALNIE G. FOJA Atty. Alnie Foja earned her Juris Doctor from Ateneo de ManilaATTY. School ALNIE ofG. LawFOJA after graduating with a degree in Political Science at the Atty. Alnie Foja earned her Juris Doctor from Ateneo de Manila School of Law after graduating with a degree in Political Science at the UniversityUniversity of the Philippines, of the Philippines, Diliman. Diliman. She isShe the is legalthe legal consultant consultant of of Gabriela Gabriela Partylist Partylist Representative Representative Emmi Emmi de Jesus de andJesus the and UP Genderthe UP Gender Office. AsideOffice. from Aside running from running Foja LawFoja LawOffice, Office, she isshe affiliatedis affiliated with with thethe Asia PacificPacific Forum Forum on onWomen, Women, Law, andLaw, Development and Development (APWLD) (APWLD) and the Nationaland the NationalUnion of Union People’s of People’s Lawyers Lawyers (NUPL). (NUPL).

PIOPIO VERZOLA, VERZOLA, JR.JR. Pio Verzola,Pio Jr.Verzola, is a seasoned Jr. is a seasoned activist activist and mediaand media practitioner practitioner having having established established Northern Northern Dispatch, Dispatch, a weekly a weekly based basedin Baguio, in Baguio, and Radio and Radio Sagada. HeSagada. was the He headwas the of head the Policyof the Policy and Communicationsand Communications Department Department of IBONIBON International International from from 2011 2011 to July to 2015. July He2015. does He research does research and provides services to NGOs with his experience in internet mapping, archiving, and database management. and provides services to NGOs with his experience in internet mapping, archiving, and database management. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE: WE WOULD ALSOProf. LIKE Chester TO THANK Arcilla THE FOLLOWING Mr. Edsa ManlapazFOR THEIR ASSISTANCE: Prof.Ms. Chester Myan ArcillaLordiane Odulio Ms.Mr. Cristina Edsa Manlapaz Ponce Ms. MyanSan Lordiane Jose ManggagawaSjmm Odulio Printing Printing Ms.Center Cristina Press Ponce San Jose57 ManggagawaP. Burgos Marilag Project Printing 4, Quezon CityPress Tel : (02) 961-5691 | Email : [email protected]