For any inquiries regarding this research, feel free to contact Ryan Letada at rletada@gmail.com or twitter: @rletada. How do we view evicted urban poor communities as assets and rather than liabilities in the economic development of the Philippines? This study attempts to answer this critical question. This research explores the mass-eviction and resettlement of urban poor communities (commonly referred to as "squatters") due to infrastructure development and commercial estate development in metro-manila. Through policy reviews, extensive mapping of resettlement sites, and interview with local experts, this research begins to explore the role of urban planning, entrepreneurship, and community-based efforts in creating sustainable relocated communities.

1. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

2. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

3. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

4. Photo Courtesy of Flickr

5. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

6. WHAT IS A HOME?
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

7. Photo courtesy of Flckr: Reinar

8. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

9. SHIFTING PARADIGMS:
Eviction and Resettlement in Metro-Manila
Ryan Onell Letada (US Fulbright Scholar)
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

10. DEMOGRAPHICS
88.57M Total population of the Philippines in
2007
2.04% Average annual rate of growth from
2000 to 2007
11.55M Total population of Metro Manila in
2007
53% Filipino Families in Metro Manila or
National Capital Region who considered
themselves as Mahirap or Poor
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

11. URBAN-RURAL POPULATIONS
78,595,000
90000
80000
Population (in thousands)
70000
53,032,000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
URBAN
Year
RURAL
Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World
Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision and World Urbanization Prospects: The 2007 Revision, http://esa.un.org/unup
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

12. PERCENTAGE URBAN
80
69.6 72.3
70 66.4
62.7
58.5
60 54
Percentage urban
48.8
50 43
40 33 35.6 37.5
30
20
10
0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World
Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision and World Urbanization Prospects: The 2007 Revision, http://esa.un.org/unup
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

13. TWO WORLDS
COLLIDE
Urban Poor
vs.
Urban Rich
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14. Push Factors
Skyrocketing Prices of Real Estate
Increase Demand for Shopping
Malls, Condominiums, Recreation, etc.
Need to Develop Urban Infrastructure
Drive towards Environmentally
Balanced or “Green” Cities
MMDA’s METRO GWAPO Program
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15. Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

16. AYALA LAND TAKEOVER
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17. 5000 families face eviction
according to MMIAC
Buting ∙ Pasig ∙ Santolan ∙ Mindanao Avenue
∙ Balintawak ∙ Quiapo ∙ Nissan Tatalon ∙
Pasay ∙ Estero de Paco ∙ R-10 Navotas ∙
Market 3 Fishport of Navotas ∙ Sta. Cruz.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer: 5,000 Metro-Manila face
eviction
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

18. Evictions are like physical amputations… [current]
relocations plans never make up for the lost limbs or home.
- Dennis Murphy
Urban Poor Associates
RE.IMAGINEPH
[Youtube Channel]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xqBklA2H-k
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

19. Impoverishment Risk Model (Michael
Cernea)
 Joblessness  Marginalization
 Homelessness  Morbidity/Mortality
 Social Disarticulation  Food Insecurity
 Landlessness
 Loss of Access to Common Property
Demolition of Entire Communities:
• Wipes out Informal Markets
• Demolishes Employment Opportunities
• Dismantles Social Capital
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20. For every case of demolition, two goes
unreported. This is equivalent to more
than 240,000 families.
Source: Urban Poor Associates (UPA)
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

21. Violation: Urban Development Housing Act (1992)
1. 30 Day Notice prior to the date of eviction and demolition
2. Consultation on the matter of resettlement
3. Presence of local government officials
4. Proper Identification of all persons taking part in the demolition
5. Eviction or Demolition during office hours, and good weather
6. No Use of Heavy Equipment
7. Proper uniforms for members of the Philippines National Police
8. Adequate Relocation
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

22. Violation: Article 25 United Nations Declaration
of Human Rights
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate
for the health and well-being of himself and of his
family, including food, clothing, housing and medical
care and necessary social services…
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23. Violation: Section 10, Article XIII 1987
Philippine Constitution
Urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted
nor their dwelling demolished, except in accordance
with law and in a just and humane manner.
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24. EVICTION LEADS TO A SIGNIFICANT
DECREASE IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE
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25. UNSUSTAINABLE: VICIOUS CYCLE
Eviction
Remigration Relocation
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26. KASIGLAHAN VILLAGE: Montalban Rizal
Case Study
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27. Pasig River Environmental Management and Rehabilitation Sector
Development Program (SDP) implemented by the Philippine
Government through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
(PRRC), assisted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
10m wide Environmental Preservation Areas along Riverbanks and
Esteros
Principal Relocation Site: Other sites include Trece Martires and
General Trias in Cavite for the approximately 10,000 informal settlers
that will be relocated.
Relocation started 1999
Origins of Resettled Peoples: Pasig River, Payatas Garbage Landslide
Victims, Quiapo, Valenzuela, Tatalon, etc.
1hr 15min from Ateneo
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

28. Post-Location
Kunting Bato, Kunting Cemento, Cementerio..
- Doc Miranda
Unprepared Site (Infrastructure, basic services – barely
or non-existent)
Dislocated from their source of livelihood and income
Crime, Gangwars…
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

29. Present
“Masmaganda na ng buhay dito”
- Doc Miranda
Infrastructure and basic services improved significantly
Diseconomies such as crime, gang wars and theft have
decreased, but still exists
Community Needs: Livelihood opportunities
(Hanapbuhay) and improved Peace and Order.
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

30. “What Sapang Palay did in 30-40
years, KV1 did in 10 Years…”
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31. Leadership with Vision
Higher Standards of Resettlement
Resettlement Action Plan
The People
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32. RESEARCH FOCUS:
Identify milestones in the development of Kasiglahan
Villages’ economy
Identify economic hubs and its effect on the economy of
the resettlement site.
Determine risk management strategies adopted by
“relocatees” to restore or increase income levels.
Determine role of “relocatees” in the economic
development of Kasiglahan Village
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

33. Research Methods
Cognitive Mapping (Spatial Approach)
Quantitative Survey
Qualitative Interviews
“Non-standardized Interviews”
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34. Economic Hubs and History:
Step 1
Step 2
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35. Pamantasan Ng Montalban (College)
30 Businesses were established to cater to the
needs of the students. Instant Entrepreneurs.
90 Employment opportunities were generated
Developed Human Capital
Absorbed unemployed members of the
community
Improved integration with local communities
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

36. Jeepney Terminal
Before:
Tricycle and Jeepney Ride to Quezon City:
106P (Roundtrip)
Now:
Tricycle and Jeepney ride to Quezon City:
36P (Roundtrip)
66% Decrease in Transportation Cost
Decrease in the cost of living
Noticeable drop in commodity prices sold in the market and community
Better Access to Market and employment opportunities outside KV1
Facilitated Community Integration
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

37. Private Market
212 Employed in the
Private Market
84%
of workers reside in
Kasiglahan Village
•Instantly created an economic hub, or area for commerce
•Overtime, the private market generated employment
opportunities
•Private Market absorbed unemployed community members
•Improved Integration with Local Community
•Sign of Economic Growth
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

38. Lessons Learned…
Address Transportation Cost from the onset.
Integrate into Resettlement Action Plan.
Using RAP as the foundation, design communities
with the intent of creating strategically-placed
economic hubs.
Leverage “economic hub” framework to avail basic
services and community amenities.
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

39. RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STIMULATING
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND GROWTH
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

40. 552 Home-based
Businesses 80% Are Sari-Sari
Stores
68% Started with
Savings 62% Relocated
Peoples
2% 1%
0% 1% 0% Sari Sari Store
1%
1% 3% Internet Café
3% 7%
1%
Restaurant, Turo Turo, Carenderia
Utility, Electricity, Coal
Mixed (Mixture of all the other business)
80% Beauty Products, Barbershop, Salon
Tailor
Home Improvement, Plumbing, Hardware
Agri-Business
Micro Businesses
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

41. Sari Sari Store Start Up:
4500-6000Pesos
Market:
Depends on Location
Primarily Neighbors
Daily Net Profits:
350-1000Pesos
Reasons:
• Related to Previous Employment Vendors
• Low Start-Up
• Source of Income for “stay-at-home” family member
• Low Risk: Open to possibility of Bankruptcy: Consumable Products
• “Low Batt” – “Close Open”
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

42. 552 Home-owners stimulating economy
68% Are investing their savings into
Enterprises
342 Relocatees are economically active
Moving Forward:
Expose to alternative business models –
Identify low risk, mid-high return businesses
Support high risk, high return business through micro-credit
Use data to identify area needs
Economically stimulate areas through the establishment of community facility
Photo courtesy of Urban Poor Associates

43. ORGAN Market
Market: Middle East,
China, and Upper Class
Filipinos
Blood 500cc: 500P
Kidney: 90,000-
175,000P
Case Study 1: Kidney Seller (rare story)
Price: 175,000P
Monthly Stipend: P5000
Purchaser: Transplant Service Foundation (St. Luke)
What did she do with the money? Bought Appliances and Computer. Invested
in Sari-Sari store and padjak. Home Improvement

44. Bio: Lola 82 Year Old
Lives with sick daughter.
No electricity.
3-4 Days per Sack
Sack = 40Pesos

45. ENTREPRENEUR
Rizalina Rose
Sells mice, colorful chicks, and
ducklings…
Works across from church…
300-600P/per day –
One of her source of income

46. HARDWORKERER
Luzvininda Flores
(Pasig Relocatee May 2001): Sold Ukay Ukay, Siomai, Bag, and Divisoria Products in
Municipal Building. Sold School Supplies. Started Sari-Sari Store and Carenderia in
Commercial Strip. Invested in 2 Stalls in Public Market.

47. Community Entrepreneurship
The Repackaging
Business Model

48. Aling Yolanda
CREATIVE
ENTREPRENEUR

49. Building Sustainable Communities
driven by resettled people