I captured this photo when I went to Vitas, Tondo for a community interaction. This is the situation of the urban poor in Tondo, behind those tall buildings and industrialized lands in Manila. I was culture shocked when I got there because it was my first time to visit and I saw the real situation of the poor people living there. I saw children jumping off the bridge down to the Pasig River. A river where you can't see anything but trashes and smells really bad. Hindi ko alam kung paano nila natatagalan ang amoy, grabe. But I also realized after a while na bakit pa ako magtataka e sa araw- araw nilang pamumuhay dun, sanay na sila. They all seemed enjoying kasi daw summer. Akala mo nasa open to public swimming pool lang sila kung maligo sa napakadumi at napakabahong Pasig River.
Well, everybody knows that Tondo is one of the most dangerous places in Manila and one of the poorest actually. I was surprised seeing everything that I heard is true and happening. But before anything else, I would like to tell you the reason why I went there. I was with Karen, one of the Gabriela Youth members. She accompanied me through out my two- day community interaction in Tondo. Community Interaction meaning we will meet different families, ask how they live their life everyday thinking that their house will be taken away from them by the government, but what we did there was beyond my expectations. Karen showed me the tenement buildings where people from Smokey Mountain temporarily stayed in. We are talking about nomads here. They don't have any permanent house to live in because they can't afford to have one. They paid for it for a long time and now the National Housing Authority wants them to vacate their place because they want to demolish it for the sake of private businesses.
According to Article XIII Section 9 and 10 of the 1987 Constitution, The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the public 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.
Section 10. 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. Ibig sabihin, karapatan ng bawat tao na magkaroon ng disenteng tahanan. Disenteng tahanan ba yung walang kuryente, walang ilaw, tagpi- tagpi ang bahay para lang hindi sila mabasa ng ulan? At paano naman sila magkaka-kuryente e, ginto ang bayad?
The National Housing Authority told them that they will be transferred to Gaya- Gaya Bulacan, where they could experience life worse. Most of the residents in Aroma building disagreed to be transferred because others were already settled in Manila. They already have a job and they think they have an easy access on everything when they're in Manila. There were a lot of complains and all of them were reacting why? I just realized the answer when Karen talked about the National Situation.
NHA wants to transfer the residents in Gaya- Gaya Bulacan because there are already funds for demolition. San Miguel Corporation already shelled out money to do the demolition as soon as possible to make the place as San Miguel City. It is for the benefit of the investors and of course, the company itself. FYI, San Miguel Corporation is owned by Danding Cojuanco, who is the uncle of our dear president Noynoy Aquino. Maraming tao at pamilya ang mawawalan ng kabuhayan at tirahan kung ililipat sila sa Gaya- Gaya kasi hanggang dun ba naman kailangan nilang magbayad e nagbayad na sila dati para sa tinitirhan nila ngayon. Kulang na kulang na nga ang sahod ng mga nagta- trabaho, mawawalan pa sila ng tahanan. These are all part of the government's responsibilities and of course, we expect them to do something about this. Let us all pray for our government, our president P-Noy and our beloved nation.
Let me lead a prayer for you...
Father God, we humbly come to you at this moment to ask for your guidance as we do our duties and responsibilities as a citizen of this nation. Lord, give us knowledge and wisdom to protect our rights and help other people to commit themselves in building a nation that is according to your will. May you always give us strength and courage to stand for what is right and just. Please forgive all the government officials for all the wrongdoings that they did to others and most especially to you. Give them all the right wisdom in doing decisions for our beloved country. This we ask in your most precious name, Amen.
According to Article XIII Section 9 and 10 of the 1987 Constitution, The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the public 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.
Section 10. 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. Ibig sabihin, karapatan ng bawat tao na magkaroon ng disenteng tahanan. Disenteng tahanan ba yung walang kuryente, walang ilaw, tagpi- tagpi ang bahay para lang hindi sila mabasa ng ulan? At paano naman sila magkaka-kuryente e, ginto ang bayad?
The National Housing Authority told them that they will be transferred to Gaya- Gaya Bulacan, where they could experience life worse. Most of the residents in Aroma building disagreed to be transferred because others were already settled in Manila. They already have a job and they think they have an easy access on everything when they're in Manila. There were a lot of complains and all of them were reacting why? I just realized the answer when Karen talked about the National Situation.
NHA wants to transfer the residents in Gaya- Gaya Bulacan because there are already funds for demolition. San Miguel Corporation already shelled out money to do the demolition as soon as possible to make the place as San Miguel City. It is for the benefit of the investors and of course, the company itself. FYI, San Miguel Corporation is owned by Danding Cojuanco, who is the uncle of our dear president Noynoy Aquino. Maraming tao at pamilya ang mawawalan ng kabuhayan at tirahan kung ililipat sila sa Gaya- Gaya kasi hanggang dun ba naman kailangan nilang magbayad e nagbayad na sila dati para sa tinitirhan nila ngayon. Kulang na kulang na nga ang sahod ng mga nagta- trabaho, mawawalan pa sila ng tahanan. These are all part of the government's responsibilities and of course, we expect them to do something about this. Let us all pray for our government, our president P-Noy and our beloved nation.
Let me lead a prayer for you...
Father God, we humbly come to you at this moment to ask for your guidance as we do our duties and responsibilities as a citizen of this nation. Lord, give us knowledge and wisdom to protect our rights and help other people to commit themselves in building a nation that is according to your will. May you always give us strength and courage to stand for what is right and just. Please forgive all the government officials for all the wrongdoings that they did to others and most especially to you. Give them all the right wisdom in doing decisions for our beloved country. This we ask in your most precious name, Amen.
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