No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy.

Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

No Permanent Address:
An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan City

MENDOZA, Merrowen M.

OFIANGA, Shaira May D.

Bachelor in Journalism 3-1D | Investigative Report | Prof. L. Teves

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

Nakatirana

kami

sa

Rodriguez,

Rizal

ng

halos

dalawang taon, pero para sakin sa Corazon de Jesus pa rin ang tahanan ko.

Whenever Mary Jane Avestruz, 17, wakes up every morning and see where she lives surrounded by arrays of little low-slung with no spaces in between, a voice inside her wishes that this address would not be permanent.

Corazon de Jesus

Relocation site for the people of Brgy Corazon De Jesus, San Juan at Rodriguez, Rizal PherPasion, Pinoy Weekly The land where houses of residents were built in Corazon De Jesus (CDJ) is a public land, a safe area and not a danger zone. Majority of the residents resided at Barangay Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City since 1950s. It was declared as a public land under the custody of San Juan City

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

government under PD 1716 of former President Ferdinand Marcos on 1978. Marcos was then ousted through a people power revolution on 1986 and replaced by President Corazon Aquino. Due to strong demand of the residents of Corazon de Jesus, the said land was awarded through Presidential Proclamation 164 on 1987 and on 2000 by former President Arroyo. However, the local government of San Juan headed by the Estradas and Ejercitos refuse to implement the two proclamations awarding the land to the residents of CDJ. Instead the San Juan City conducted series of violent eviction since 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011 and the last in January 11, 2012. Since 1960s, during the reign of Estradas in San Juan and in the country on 1998 -2001 and up to the present, they keep on promising to provide high rise housing project for the poor. But the end result was a violent demolition of community to give way to the construction of luxurious City Hall and of private business establishments. Last January 2011, 2012, 400 policemen and members of a demolition team who descended on Barangay (village) Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City Wednesday morning were met with molotov bombs, fist-sized rocks and empty bottles by defiant residents. Patay kung patay. Hindi kami aalis dito (Well die if we have to. Were not going anywhere), a man who lived in the area was heard saying. From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., residents hurled projectiles as the police and demolition crew hid behind shields. From time to time, explosions caused by molotov bombs would drive the authorities farther back while fire trucks moved in to put out small fires. At one point, the fire trucks and a bulldozer tried to break up the residents ranks but they proved useless. What finally sent the residents fleeing were tear gas canisters hurled into their midst. After the tension died down, 33 people were reported to have suffered injuries. Of the total, only seven were from the residents side while the rest were policemen and members of the demolition crew. The violent and inhumane eviction forcibly brought affected residents to

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

relocation sites in LupangArenda- a declared danger zone by the DENR where relocates given entry pass for two years and arrived there with no houses already built. Others brought to Southville 8-B, Rodriguez, Rizal and to Kasiglahan, Montalban, Rizal. Only 73 of the 123 families in Barangay Corazon de Jesus, the last batch to be evacuated, had agreed to move out. They were also offered P10, 000 in cash and half a sack of rice. For the record, since last year, 400 families in the area have been relocated to various resettlement sites. On the other hand, citing figures from the National Housing Authority (NHA), BagongAlyansangMakabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes noted that there are 584,425 families classified as informal settlers in Metro Manila alone as of July 2011. While in other regions outside the Metro, he said that there are 761,482 families considered informal settlers, of which, around 518,625 families are in what the government considers as danger areas. The NHA has also failed to complete its resettlement and slum upgrading tar gets, accomplishing only 76 percent in 2010 and 73 per cent for the first three quarters of 2011, he added.

Basic Needs

A matchbox like houses which will serve as the shelters for the relocatees.

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

Many people had refused the offer to be relocated to a housing site in Rodriguez, Rizal, because it was too far away from school, the hospital and workplace.

Every person has the right to have a decent home. A home that includes electricity and water supplies, such basic needs that's not easily acquired by the relocated residents of CDJ in Rodriguez, Rizal. "Pagdating naming nung una sa area, walang kuryente saka tubig, taliwas dun sa pinangako nila. Mga after one year pa kami nagkaroon, mahina pa. (When we first arrive there, there's no electricity and water supply. A complete reverse on what they promise. A little after one year did we experience electricity and water)." MJ said. One young mother said the hopelessness of the situation when they first arrived on the resettlement area. But when we arrived here, there was no toilet bowl in the rest room and no windows. Its like we were just thrown here like garbage, she said. Another problem faced by its residents is the 'overpricing of electricity (sobrang taas ng singil ng kuryente). According to MJ, they have no electricity conductors, giving the control over lights to the 'Home Owner's Association'. "Ang mahal ng singil, 30pesos per night pag walang kontador. stated MJ. An approximate of 900pesos every month is paid by every family in exchange of electricity only during the night. In line to the claims of the relocated residents, Marichu Marquez, finance officer of the National Housing Authority in the Kasiglahan Village relocation site, said the families that have resettled should apply for the water and power connections themselves.

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

They keep complaining when in fact the government has already provided them with houses. Others have managed to adjust to their new environment, but some should start changing their attitude, she said.

Right to education Education is one of the vital needs for the growth of an individual, because knowledge is important in shaping the minds of the youth. Yet in the relocation site in Rodriguez, Rizal, just like in the most part of the country, wisdom could only be achieved in a hard way. It seems a half hour walk is endured by its students every day. The students are carrying their own chairs on their journey to the nearest elementary school. In there, an approximate of 100 students per classroom is accommodated. Which seems more crowded than the standard of termed for crowded classrooms in cities.

Livelihood

Elementary students keeping themselves in tact to the vehicle

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

Hindi sapat na may bahay, kailangan may ikabubuhay ka din. (It is not enough to have a house; one should have the means to live too). MJ answered when asked about the livelihood condition of Southville. Relocation in Rizal brought the then residents of CDJ far from their livelihood. "It is not just a waste of money but time and effort as well" said RomelBayani, 40. He said he spends 150 pesos for his daily commute from Rodriguez, Rizal to San Juan to ply his route, waking up as early as 4 a.m. to prepare for his two hour trip to the city. "Yung kuya ko nga bumalik ng San Juan. Paano ang mahal ng pamasahe tapos yung mga anak niya nag-aaral pa. Dagdag pamasahe din (Even my brother moved back to San Juan because of the high fare. His children is also attending school which makes the fare cost higher). added MJ. Hindi naman puwedeng magtayo ng sari-sari store ang lahat ng pamilya rito para mabuhay, (It is impossible that all of us will have a variety store) admitted by Corazon Giducos, a relocatee from Navotas. Maraming residente na kasi ang nagtayo ng mga tindahan, sa akalang kahit papaanoy kikita sila. Pero sa dami nilang nagtitinda, halos wala nang namimili. (Actually, many residents decided to have a variety store but unfortunately, it turned out to nothing) she added. Many of the residents claimed that because of poverty, some people decided to go house-tohouse to beg for food but at some point, it just bring immorality prostitution. Like Bayani and Avestruz, many of the relocated residents from the barangay openly expressed their discontent about their current state for the place is unlikely livable. Therefore, the relocation area intended for the citizens of CDJ is considered as not livable enough by the families. There are things that are needed by the people who havent in the community livelihood, education, and even the basic needs of an individual. Also, it was then

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

discovered that the area was before a rice field which on the latter became an area for resettlement. Nowadays, one considerable priorityof the legislators for the development of Filipinos lives can be a housing program. It can be one step to reduce poverty. Thus, to assure that this program be effective, the government, especially the department or agency that will carry the project shall not be financially interested to the contracts, bidding, etc. for it is for the security, safety and integrity of the houses for the homeless people or the relocatees. Imagine the streets without street children, the aged beggars, and the like who 24 hours sleeping on a cold cement of the cities. It is a vivid image of hopelessness, poverty and immature country. On the part of relocated site, which is in Rodriguez Rizal, the government must assure that people can have their own electricity and a clean water supply with justifiable price, proper drainage, public schools, hospitals or clinics and various establishments that can help the people in their livelihood. For that case, it can be livable enough. Unfortunately, because of the flaws of resettlement area, many of the residents forcibly brought to the relocation sites came back to the community, others rented and started building makeshift tents and rebuild their houses in the process. Instead of focusing the governments energy in demolishing homes of informal settlers, they should just prioritize a good housing program. Through this, those citizens wouldnt resort on being NPAs or Filipinos with No Permanent Address.

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

Sources:

Mary Jane Avestruz Romel Bayani Corazon Giducos

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Karen Boncocan (January 11, 2012) Jamie Marie Elona Nia Calleja (January 16, 2012)

Bulatlat.com

JannessaEllao (http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/03/02/channelgovernment- resources-to-in-city-housing-not-doleouts/#sthash.WWfCFqfB.dpuf)

Pinoy Weekly

PherPasion (http://pinoyweekly.org/new/2012/02/relokasyon-ng-mga-

maralitang-itinaboy-sa-kamaynilaan-di-makatao/#sthash.4qup2gcd.KNtYnvyu.dpuf)

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

Transcript of Interview

--start-Interviewer: Hello MJ MJ: Hello din. Interviewer: Diba taga-San Juan ka? MJ: Yung mama ko taga-Rodriguez, Rizal na pero yung kuya ko taga-San Juan. Minsan don ako umuuwi. Interviewer: Ah.. Dun kayo na-relocate after nung demolition? MJ: Oo. Nakatira na kami sa Rodriguez, Rizal ng halos dalawang taon, pero para sakin sa Corazon de Jesus pa rin ang tahanan ko. Interviewer: Ang lalim ah! Ano naming kondisyon nung lugar pagdating niyo? MJ: "Pagdating naming nung una sa area, walang kuryente saka tubig, taliwas dun sapinangakonila. Mga after one year pa kami nagkaroon, mahina pa. Interviewer: Magkano naman singil sa inyo? MJ: "Ang mahal ng singil, 30pesos per night pag walang konduktor. Interviewer: Per night? Bali tuwing gabi lang talaga yung ilaw? MJ: Oo. Paano yung kundoktor yung nagkokontrol e yung Home Owners Association. Ang tagal na nga naming nirerequest na sa block leader na lang. Interviewer: Ah.. Pero madali naman kayo nakapag-adjust after? MJ: Syempre hindi. Yung kuya ko nga bumalik ng Paanoangmahalngpamasahetaposyungmgaanakniya nag-aaral pa.Dagdagpamasahe din. Interviewer: Bakit? Wala bang malapit na school don? MJ: Kailangan pang maglakad ng mahigit kalahating oras na lakad hanggang sa pinakamalapit na elementary school. May bitbit pa silang upuan kasi mga around 100 yung estudyante kada classroom. Interviewer: Aw. Hirap non. Eh paano naman yung kabuhayan niyo don? San Juan.

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

MJ: Syempre mahirap kasi mga relocates nga kami, yung kabuhayan naming karamihan naiwan don sa San Juan. Interviewer: Ah Edi madaming bumalik ulit sa SanJuan? Paano yon ediba na-demolish na nga? MJ: Oo. Nagtayo sila ulit ng mga make-shift na bahay kasi nga din a talaga kaya yung gastos sa transpo. Interviewer: Magkano ba from Rizal to San Juan? MJ: Mga 150pesos din yun. Interviewer: Ahh.. ok. Tingin mo mahirap talaga buhay don? I means, hanggang ngayon? MJ: Para sakin? Mahirap talaga, kasi pag umulan madaling bumaha, eh halatang substandard yung mga materyales na ginamit sa pagtayo ng mga bahay kaya maraming tulo saka crack yung pader. Araw-araw pa mabaho kasi yung tapunan ng basura ng Antipolo malapit samin. Hindi healthy lalo na sa mga bata. Interviewer: Grabe naman puro flaws. MJ: Ayoko na ngang umuuwi don, nastre-stress lang ako, mahal pa pamasahe. Interviewer: Sige, ano pa ba itatanonong ko? Ah.. Kailan ka huling umuwi don? MJ: Mga last week lang. Interviewer: As in ganon pa rin yung condition? MJ: Mas malala nga kasi tag-ulan e. Interviewer: Ok. Sige, wala na ko itatanong. Hehe.. Bye --end

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

MALACAANG Manila BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 164 AMENDING PROCLAMATION NO. 1716, DATED FEBRUARY 17, 1978, WHICH RESERVED FOR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT CENTER SITE PURPOSES CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN SITUATED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JUAN, METROPOLITAN MANILA, ISLAND OF LUZON, BY EXCLUDING FROM ITS OPERATION THE PARCELS OF LAND NOT BEING UTILIZED FOR GOVERNMENT CENTER SITES PURPOSES BUT ACTUALLY OCCUPIED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES AND DECLARING THE LAND OPEN TO DISPOSITION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE PUBLIC LAND ACT, AS AMENDED Upon recommendation of the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby amend Proclamation No. 1716, dated February 17, 1978, which established for municipal government center site purposes certain parcels of land mentioned therein situated in the Municipality of San Juan, Metro Manila, by excluding from its operation the parcels of land not being utilized for government center site purposes but actually occupied for residential purposes and declaring the land so excluded, together with other parcels of land not covered by Proclamation No. 1716 but nevertheless occupied for residential purposes, open to disposition under the provisions of the Public Land Act, as amended, subject to future survey, which are hereunder particularly described as follows; Lot 1 (Port.) Psu-73270 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 1, *Port.+ Psu-73270) situated in the Municipality of San Juan, Metropolitan Manila, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the W., along line 1-2 by Pedro Narciso; on the NW., along line 2-3 by Lot 11, Blk. 1; along line 3-4 by Lot 12, Blk 1, along line 4-5 by Lot 14, Blk. 1; on the NE., along lines 5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14 by Lot 4 (Port.) Psd-740 and Psd-810; on the SE., along lines 14-15-16 by Nawasa Pipe Line; on the SW., along line 16-17 by High School (Annex); and on the W., along lines 17-18-1 by Pedro Narciso Street. Beginning at a point marked 1 being N. 88-51 E., 777.76 m. from BLLM No. 1, Municipality of San Juan del Monte Cad.;

thence N. 24-58 W.,

101.79 m. to point 2;

thence N. 63-20 E.,

29.93 m. to point 3;

thence N. 63-20 E.,

37.68 m. to point 4;

thence N. 63-20 W.,

7.99 m. to point 5;

thence S. 26-31 E.,

14.96 m. to point 6;

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City

thence S. 26-31 E.,

15.01 m. to point 7;

thence S. 26-31 E.,

14.98 m. to point 8;

thence S. 26-31 E.,

14.98 m. to point 9;

thence S. 26-31 E.,

15.02 m. to point 10;

thence S. 26-31 E.,

23.82 m. to point 11;

thence S. 26-26 E.,

15.58 m. to point 12;

thence S. 26-35 E.,

14.74 m. to point 13;

thence S. 26-25 E.,

4.50 m. to point 14;

thence S. 49-22 W.,

148.00 m. to point 15;

thence S. 45-30 W.,

28.00 m. to point 16;

thence N. 44-26 W.,

67.31 m. to point 17;

thence N. 64-70 E.,

113.00 m. to point 18;

thence N. 26-58 W.,

13.50 m. to point of

beginning. Containing an area of SIXTEEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN (16,297) SQUARE METERS. Beginning at a point marked 1 being S. 76-51 E., 961.07 m. from BLLM No. 1, Municipality of San Juan del Monte Cad.;

thence S. 23-30 W.,

46.75 m. to point 2;

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City
thence S. 23-30 E., 79.34 m. to point 3;

thence S. 23-30 E.,

38.82 m. to point 4;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

26.78 m. to point 5;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

13.79 m. to point 6;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

1.92 m. to point 7;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

4.22 m. to point 8;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

13.77 m. to point 9;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

13.83 m. to point 10;

thence S. 67-12 W.,

13.98 m. to point 11;

thence N. 23-29 W.,

19.82 m. to point 12;

thence N. 24-40 W.,

39.10 m. to point 13;

thence N. 23-47 W.,

27.84 m. to point 14;

thence N. 23-53 W.,

6.03 m. to point 15;

thence N. 23-47 W.,

25.01 m. to point 16;

thence N. 23-47 W.,

25.00 m. to point 17;

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City
thence N. 23-45 W., 6.01 m. to point 18;

thence N. 23-47 W.,

25.99 m. to point 19;

thence N. 73-28 E.,

90.32 m. to point of

beginning. Containing an area of FIFTEEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE (15,129) SQUARE METERS. Lot 4 (Port.) Psd-740 and Psd-810 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 4 *Port.+ Psd-740 and Psd-810) situated in the Municipality of San Juan, Metropolitan Manila, Island of Luzon. Bounded on the SE., along line 1-2 by Lot 2 (Port.) Psu-73270; on the SW., along line 2-3 by NAWASA Pipe line, along lines 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 by Lot 1 (Port.) Psu-73270; and on the NW., & NE., along lines 11-12-1 by Lot 14, Psd-740 (Magdalena Estate and Psd-810, Magdalena Estate). Beginning at a point marked 1 being N. 88-04 E., 903.57 m. from BLLM No. 1, Municipality of San Juan del Monte Cad.;
thence S. 65-17 W.,

40.86 m. to point 2;

thence N. 26-35 W.,

14.60 m. to point 3;

thence N. 26-35 W.,

14.74 m. to point 4;

thence N. 26-25 W.,

15.58 m. to point 5;

thence N. 26-31 W.,

23.82 m. to point 6;

thence N. 26-31 W.,

15.02 m. to point 7;

thence N. 26-31 W.,

14.98 m. to point 8;

thence N. 26-31 W.,

14.98 m. to point 9;

thence N. 26-31 W.,

15.01 m. to point 10;

No Permanent Address: An Investigative Report on the lives of relocated residents of Brgy. Corazon De Jesus, San Juan, City
thence N. 26-31 E., 14.96 m. to point 11;

thence N. 65-17 E.,

40.80 m. to point 12;

thence S. 26-25 E.,

143.56 m. to point of

beginning. Containing an area of FIVE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN (5,767) SQUARE METERS. Lot 5 (Port.) Psu-73270 A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 5 *Port.+ Psu-73270 situated in the Municipality of San Juan, Metropolitan Manila. Bounded on the SE., along line 1-2 by Pedro Narciso Street; on the SW., along line 2-3 by Lot 56, Block 18, SWO40928 (San Juan High School); on the NW., along line 3-4 by Jose Moreno; and on the NE., along line 4-1 by Pedro Narciso.

thence S. 64-10 W.,

62.71 m. to point 2;

thence N. 26-05 W.,

80.78 m. to point 3;

thence N. 64-10 E.,

62.71 m. to point 4;

thence S. 26-05 E.,

80.78 m. to point of

beginning. Containing an area of FIVE THOUSAND SIXTY-FIVE (5,065) SQUARE METERS. The plan of these lots was prepared by Francisco C. Guevarra, Geodetic Engineer on October 22, 1986. NOTE: Lots 1, 2, 3 and 5 are all portions of Lot 5, Psu-73270 and Lot 4 is a portion of Psd-740 and Psd-810. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed. Done in the City of Manila, this 6th day of October in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-seven. (Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO By the President: (Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR. Acting Executive Secretary Source: CDAsia