by Dags Miguel
Despite the recent improvements in the economy of the Philippines, the reality is that the country is still plagued with poverty. The government, foreign aid and even the private sector has long been trying to address the issue, and one of their known methods is resettlement and mass housing.
Despite the recent improvements in the economy of the Philippines, the reality is that the country is still plagued with poverty. The government, foreign aid and even the private sector has long been trying to address the issue, and one of their known methods is resettlement and mass housing.
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| Photo Credit: focusonpoverty.org |
Philippine Government's Plan on Resettlement
According to the website of the National Housing Authority (NHA), "The program, directed by the national leadership, involves relocation and resettlement of families residing in or along danger areas in Metro Manila particularly those along waterways such as creeks, rivers, and esteros. It is undertaken mainly through in-city multi-storey housing development utilizing government-owned land." President Aquino and the NHA plans to spend P50 Billion for 100,000 families until Aquino's final year in 2016.
These plans have been underway since the start of Aquino's administration and have even been getting much attention from the press and social media. A report by GMA News posted this photo online regarding one of the projects of the NHA:
These plans have been underway since the start of Aquino's administration and have even been getting much attention from the press and social media. A report by GMA News posted this photo online regarding one of the projects of the NHA:
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| Photo of a fully furnished unit for informal settlers at a relocation area in Balagtas, Bulacan. Photo Credit: Jun Veneracion from GMA News |
According to reports, President Aquino and the NHA's plan is to specifically target urban poor families who have been living along the waterways in Metro Manila, in areas considered dangerous and critical areas for flooding and have them relocated in furnished homes (as seen in the picture above), families deeply affected each and every year during monsoon season.
The photo reported by GMA News reflects the 4,500 units already built by the NHA in Bulacan. Plans of 3,500 units more are already in place in key Metro Manila cities for a total of 8,000 units. As described by the NHA, Instead of spending and allocating public resources for search and rescue and evacuation plans each and every year, the government has in turn focused to a much more improved resettlement and housing program. The President and even the NHA plans to offer P18,000 to 20,000 families located residing in critical flood prone areas for them to 1) temporarily find accommodation, and 2) to encourage them to finally depart from the said critical areas, all during a proposed 12-month period. In that same time, the government would resettle the families permanently as soon as projects like that in Bulacan are finalized and completed.
The photo reported by GMA News reflects the 4,500 units already built by the NHA in Bulacan. Plans of 3,500 units more are already in place in key Metro Manila cities for a total of 8,000 units. As described by the NHA, Instead of spending and allocating public resources for search and rescue and evacuation plans each and every year, the government has in turn focused to a much more improved resettlement and housing program. The President and even the NHA plans to offer P18,000 to 20,000 families located residing in critical flood prone areas for them to 1) temporarily find accommodation, and 2) to encourage them to finally depart from the said critical areas, all during a proposed 12-month period. In that same time, the government would resettle the families permanently as soon as projects like that in Bulacan are finalized and completed.
The Public's Reaction
In response to the news, Filipinos turned to social media: facebook and twitter, to voice out their opinion regarding these developments. Here are a couple of reactions and comments on the photo posted by GMA News:
- "Yung tax ko napunta sa mga taong di nagbabayad ng tax." (My taxes are going to people who do not pay tax.) -Ma Niq
- "Sana naging informal settler na lang ako." (I wish I became an informal settler.) -Dan Ramos
- "This is what I call Social Injustice... Its either lupa mo ang pinag squattan then u cant just drive them away, ur oblige to provide a home for them or the government is forced to provode housing for non taxpayers? Paano naman kmi na below middle class at nagsusunog ng kilay pra mangupahan?" (So either they squat on your land and you can't drive them away... How about us below middle class trying to work hard for rent?) -Faye Mapoy
So it seems, justice doesn't reflect much for Filipinos who seem to feel that they strive and work hard day-in and out for their families welfare, only to see others get the "free pass", the benefit of taxation. The Filipino taxpayer is asking the government, is this the best way to address poverty? Are my taxes being allocated to the proper strategy? Should tax be budgeted in this manner of taking care of the poor? Is it right for the government to spend resources to people who "do not contribute to the growth of the economy"? Should taxes be allocated elsewhere instead?
How Jesus Dealt with the Marginalized
So how did Christ himself deal with this issue? How did he relate with people deemed "outcasts" of society? What principles can be draw from his example and his teaching? For that, we look at an example from scripture:
"Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." -Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)
This is what Jesus expected from his followers. They were to do the socially unthinkable and be able to invite an outcast into their homes, at a most important social event in their society, Jesus wanted the privileged to look after the less fortunate.
In another instance, he rebuked church leaders and the people in general by how he took action himself, being with the needy themselves, and not just simply teaching and preaching principles:
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”" -John 8:2-11 (NIV)
2) Partner With Them! Support and help out organizations that give opportunities for the poor! Have you heard of Liberty Street Clothing? They're helping out survivors from challenging backgrounds through a sustainable business. Ask them how you can help them out! Check out their facebok: facebook.com/LibertyStreetClothing.
If housing is one way we can indirectly address poverty, then maybe we can make a much bigger step not just simply as taxpayers but as a compassionate people. Let us understand their situation and be with them, interact with them, to experience what it is like in their shoes. Then just maybe, we will all be able to fully grasp and understand and to make more sense ethically and morally what seems illogical and unthinkable.
Reflection & Thoughts on the Matter
What do you personally feel about this issue? We would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the matter by commenting on the "comments section" below.
Sources:
"Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." -Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)
This is what Jesus expected from his followers. They were to do the socially unthinkable and be able to invite an outcast into their homes, at a most important social event in their society, Jesus wanted the privileged to look after the less fortunate.
In another instance, he rebuked church leaders and the people in general by how he took action himself, being with the needy themselves, and not just simply teaching and preaching principles:
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”" -John 8:2-11 (NIV)
This did not happen just once. This was how Jesus showed how he truly loved all people regardless of their background. Time and again, Jesus spent time talking to tax collectors, to adulterers and prostitutes, spent time conversing with them, eating with them and being with them (Luke 15:1-2; Luke 19:7; Matthew 9:10-11). He chose to love the seemingly unlovable, those rejected by society, those poorest of the poor both status and in moral standing, in order to give his followers an example to follow.
What You Can Do
So for us today, how can we help? How can we go beyond ourselves? What You Can Do
1) Get to Know Them! Find an organization where intentional outreaches are being done to the marginalized and see how you can get to know them more intimately. Ever heard of Habitat for Humanity and Gawad Kalinga? Volunteer and see what you can do! Experience how it's like, hear their stories as you build side by side with men and women who are trying their best to help themselves out of poverty.
2) Partner With Them! Support and help out organizations that give opportunities for the poor! Have you heard of Liberty Street Clothing? They're helping out survivors from challenging backgrounds through a sustainable business. Ask them how you can help them out! Check out their facebok: facebook.com/LibertyStreetClothing.
If housing is one way we can indirectly address poverty, then maybe we can make a much bigger step not just simply as taxpayers but as a compassionate people. Let us understand their situation and be with them, interact with them, to experience what it is like in their shoes. Then just maybe, we will all be able to fully grasp and understand and to make more sense ethically and morally what seems illogical and unthinkable.
Reflection & Thoughts on the Matter
What do you personally feel about this issue? We would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on the matter by commenting on the "comments section" below.
Sources:
