On International Women’s Day, Migrante International gives tribute to all Filipina migrant workers who continue to fight against abuses and exploitation, and stand in solidarity with them in the struggle against forced migration and modern-day slavery being espoused by the Aquino administration’s more aggressive labor export policy.
Under the administration of Pres. Aquino, more women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been forced to migrate and leave their families. An estimated 6,092 Filipinos leave the country daily (IBON Foundation, 2015 data) – among them, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, grandparents who were forced to face dire straits and uncertain conditions abroad due to widespread joblessness, landlessness and dismal social services here in the country. This figure is an increase of 50% percent from 4,030 OFWs a day in 2010, when Aquino took office. To date, women OFWs make up more than half (55%) of the stock estimate of OFWs, outnumbering male OFWs especially in the service sector (Center for Filipinos Overseas, 2012).
Women OFWs face very specific vulnerabilities because they are women – sexual discrimination and other gender-specific abuses, exploitation and violence in the sorts of work they tend to predominate. This is especially the case when women OFWs migrate for work that is in line with their traditionally-defined reproductive roles in society (i.e. domestic workers, nurses, caregivers, etc.).
According to Migrante’s annual databank (2013-2014), more women OFWs faced all sorts of hardships and exploitation during the past year. Of the 174 cases of repatriation handled and facilitated by Migrante’s Rights and Welfare Assistance Program (RWAP), 138 are women. Majority of them were physically, verbally and emotionally abused, overworked, underpaid and suffered work-related violations.
Of the 104 cases referred by Migrante to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) from 2013 to 2014, 88 cases involved women OFWs who were illegally dismissed or terminated or were victimized by abusive recruiters and employers. 45 out of the 60 cases endorsed by Migrante in that same period to the National Labor Relations Commission, meanwhile, (NLRC) involved women OFWs.
For January to February 2015 alone, Migrante’s RWAP has already handled at least 50 cases of violence against women (VAW) OFWs, ranging from physical assault, sexual harassment, attempted rape, rape, sex trafficking to verbal abuse and emotional torture.
The current onslaught of the global economic crisis also further intensifies abuses and violations faced by women OFWs. The worsening crisis makes them more vulnerable to trafficking, criminalization of irregular or undocumented migrants, and drives them to tolerate more abuses in the workplace. The worsening crisis under the Aquino regime conceives for them more desperate conditions, locally and abroad.
Under the Aquino administration, the number of trafficked OFWs, mostly women, has reached a staggering 1.3 million, according to 2012 data by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Many of them migrated to work through legal means but were later coerced into exploitative conditions, drug trade or white slavery.
Unfortunately, the Aquino government lacks the political will and competence to fully address these cases. Twenty years after the execution of Flor Contemplacion, many others like her have come after. Many abused, exploited and maltreated women OFWs are yet to attain justice, with government support and assistance generally lacking. Twenty years after Flor Contemplacion’s death, many women migrant workers have organized themselves to continue to organize in efforts to confront the struggles and challenges of their plight.
Today, marching with us are modern-day Flor Contemplacions, courageous women OFWs from different parts of the world and their families who braved their plight and survived. They continue to call for justice. They realize that forced migration and modern-day slavery can only ever be stopped on a day when our citizens will no longer be forced to face dire and dangerous conditions overseas out of desperation, poverty and hopelessness. They unite with other women and sectors of society in calling for the removal of Aquino from office. Migrante marches with them in solidarity with the women’s struggle for freedom and national democracy. This International Women’s Day, we salute and honor them and other women OFWs around the world.
Twenty years after the death of Flor Contemplacion, Filipino migrants and their families are once again roused into collective action and determination to exercise their democratic right to bring about regime and system change. Migrante International is part of NOW! (Noynoy Out Now!), a broad multisectoral formation calling for Aquino’s resignation and the formation of a People’s Council to replace him. On March 17, the 20th death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, Migrante and its chapters and affiliates worldwide will be holding a “Global Day of Action for Aquino’s Resignation”. ### 20 years after Flor Contemplacion’s death, more women OFWs abused, exploited and enslaved under Aquino’s term
On International Women’s Day, Migrante International gives tribute to all Filipina migrant workers who continue to fight against abuses and exploitation, and stand in solidarity with them in the struggle against forced migration and modern-day slavery being espoused by the Aquino administration’s more aggressive labor export policy.
Under the administration of Pres. Aquino, more women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have been forced to migrate and leave their families. An estimated 6,092 Filipinos leave the country daily (IBON Foundation, 2015 data) – among them, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, grandparents who were forced to face dire straits and uncertain conditions abroad due to widespread joblessness, landlessness and dismal social services here in the country. This figure is an increase of 50% percent from 4,030 OFWs a day in 2010, when Aquino took office. To date, women OFWs make up more than half (55%) of the stock estimate of OFWs, outnumbering male OFWs especially in the service sector (Center for Filipinos Overseas, 2012).
Women OFWs face very specific vulnerabilities because they are women – sexual discrimination and other gender-specific abuses, exploitation and violence in the sorts of work they tend to predominate. This is especially the case when women OFWs migrate for work that is in line with their traditionally-defined reproductive roles in society (i.e. domestic workers, nurses, caregivers, etc.).
According to Migrante’s annual databank (2013-2014), more women OFWs faced all sorts of hardships and exploitation during the past year. Of the 174 cases of repatriation handled and facilitated by Migrante’s Rights and Welfare Assistance Program (RWAP), 138 are women. Majority of them were physically, verbally and emotionally abused, overworked, underpaid and suffered work-related violations.
Of the 104 cases referred by Migrante to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) from 2013 to 2014, 88 cases involved women OFWs who were illegally dismissed or terminated or were victimized by abusive recruiters and employers. 45 out of the 60 cases endorsed by Migrante in that same period to the National Labor Relations Commission, meanwhile, (NLRC) involved women OFWs.
For January to February 2015 alone, Migrante’s RWAP has already handled at least 50 cases of violence against women (VAW) OFWs, ranging from physical assault, sexual harassment, attempted rape, rape, sex trafficking to verbal abuse and emotional torture.
The current onslaught of the global economic crisis also further intensifies abuses and violations faced by women OFWs. The worsening crisis makes them more vulnerable to trafficking, criminalization of irregular or undocumented migrants, and drives them to tolerate more abuses in the workplace. The worsening crisis under the Aquino regime conceives for them more desperate conditions, locally and abroad.
Under the Aquino administration, the number of trafficked OFWs, mostly women, has reached a staggering 1.3 million, according to 2012 data by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Many of them migrated to work through legal means but were later coerced into exploitative conditions, drug trade or white slavery.
Unfortunately, the Aquino government lacks the political will and competence to fully address these cases. Twenty years after the execution of Flor Contemplacion, many others like her have come after. Many abused, exploited and maltreated women OFWs are yet to attain justice, with government support and assistance generally lacking. Twenty years after Flor Contemplacion’s death, many women migrant workers have organized themselves to continue to organize in efforts to confront the struggles and challenges of their plight.
Today, marching with us are modern-day Flor Contemplacions, courageous women OFWs from different parts of the world and their families who braved their plight and survived. They continue to call for justice. They realize that forced migration and modern-day slavery can only ever be stopped on a day when our citizens will no longer be forced to face dire and dangerous conditions overseas out of desperation, poverty and hopelessness. They unite with other women and sectors of society in calling for the removal of Aquino from office. Migrante marches with them in solidarity with the women’s struggle for freedom and national democracy. This International Women’s Day, we salute and honor them and other women OFWs around the world.
Twenty years after the death of Flor Contemplacion, Filipino migrants and their families are once again roused into collective action and determination to exercise their democratic right to bring about regime and system change. Migrante International is part of NOW! (Noynoy Out Now!), a broad multisectoral formation calling for Aquino’s resignation and the formation of a People’s Council to replace him. On March 17, the 20th death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, Migrante and its chapters and affiliates worldwide will be holding a “Global Day of Action for Aquino’s Resignation”. ### Thank you, Pope Francis, for acknowledging gov’t neglect of OFWs – Migrante
Thank you, Pope Francis, for acknowledging gov’t neglect of OFWs – Migrante
Global alliance of overseas Filipinos expressed tremendous gratitude to Pope Francis for acknowledging the real plight of overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) and their families.
In his speech delivered in Malacanang, Pope Francis made mention of OFWs and the Filipino diaspora. The Pope said that he “cannot fail to mention” the OFWs “who are often neglected and whose contributions to society are not fully appreciated”. The Holy Father also said that the Filipino diaspora is “helping the life, culture and religious heritage” of other countries.
“Thank you very much, Pope Francis, for hearing our cries! Thank you for speaking in behalf of the 15 million overseas Filipinos all over the world who are being neglected, abused and exploited and abandoned by the Aquino government. Filipinos all over the world are overjoyed and empowered to further fight for our rights and to struggle for genuine social justice so that our common endeavors may be realized,” said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson.
Martinez also noted the Pope’s mention of “families being destroyed.”
“One of the main reasons of Filipino families being torn apart is the phenomenon of forced migration. Our OFWs are separated from their families because of desperation and the need to survive. Pope Francis, who hailed from a family of migrants, knows this by heart. We agree with the Pope that what we should strive for is a ‘society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace’, something that is very far from what we have now which is a society of corruption, greed and conflict under the Aquino administration,” Martinez said.
The migrant leader said that he hopes the Pope’s statement will “open new doors and networks among churches and their brethren for the promotion and protection of the rights of Filipino migrants and their families around the world”.
Lastly, Martinez called on all OFWs and families to continue to organize, unite and struggle for social justice and revolutionary reforms. “The Pope himself said, ‘Dear migrants and refugees! You have a special place in the heart of the Church… Do not lose your faith and hope!’. For us, this should translate to the message that, despite and in spite of all our sufferings and torments, the people united shall never be defeated.” ### Filipino migrants and families call on Pope Francis to heed cry of OFWs in distress
#DearPopeFrancis
Global alliance of overseas Filipinos Migrante International will hold a small gathering at the Plaza Miranda later this afternoon to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis and to call on the Holy Father to heed the cry of Filipino migrants and their families, especially those in distress.
Around Metro Manila, simultaneous activities were also held earlier today to gather “letters to the Pope” from families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress.
In a previous open letter to the Pope, Migrante International had called on the Pope to “bear witness to our struggle. We call on you to speak on behalf of overseas Filipinos in our quest for a better life.”
According to Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, “We are thankful to Pope Francis for consistently speaking on behalf of migrants and refugees. We agree with him that human trafficking is indeed ‘a crime against humanity’ and that forced migration is ‘an anomaly’ and a matter of grave concern for our migrant workers and their families.”
“As he visits the Philippines, we call on Pope Francis to speak on behalf of an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos in over 239 countries around the world. We call on him to speak out for Filipino migrants in distress and their families,” Martinez said.
There are currently 125 Filipinos on death row abroad – the most number of whom have been executed under the present Aquino administration. At least 7,000 Filipinos are languishing in jails abroad without legal assistance and at least 25,000 are stranded and awaiting repatriation in the Middle East alone. Millions are undocumented and in danger of being criminalized abroad as host countries continue to impose more strict immigration and border policies. At least half a million Filipinos, mostly women and children, are victims of trafficking. Millions more suffer labor abuses and violations and endure modern-day slavery for the sake of their families back home.
Despite all these, Martinez said, the Aquino administration has intensified its labor export policy. “The Aquino government has highly praised itself for its supposed efforts to work with migrant-receiving governments to ensure the rights and welfare of OFWs. But the truth is OFWs are plagued with an assortment of issues and problems throughout the entire migration cycle yet the Aquino government has barely done any decisive action to support and protect OFWs and their families. The Aquino government’s ability to uphold Filipinos migrants’ rights and promote their welfare has lagged behind its apparent success in implementing its labor export policy.”
Pope Francis is a staunch supporter and advocate of the rights and welfare of migrants and refugees. He has been very vocal in his criticisms on forced migration and the criminalization of undocumented migrants and refugees, and his stance against trafficking in persons and modern-day slavery.
On January 16, the Holy Father will be holding a dialogue with some Filipino migrants and their families at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On the same date, Migrante International will be holding an International Day of Prayer and Solidarity to bring to the Pope’s attention the plight of Filipino migrants and their families all over the world.
“We call on Pope Francis to heed our call: Stand with us against trafficking and modern-day slavery of Filipino migrants! Struggle with us against Aquino’s labor export policy!” Martinez said. ###
Global alliance of overseas Filipinos Migrante International will hold a small gathering at the Plaza Miranda later this afternoon to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis and to call on the Holy Father to heed the cry of Filipino migrants and their families, especially those in distress.
Around Metro Manila, simultaneous activities were also held earlier today to gather “letters to the Pope” from families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress.
In a previous open letter to the Pope, Migrante International had called on the Pope to “bear witness to our struggle. We call on you to speak on behalf of overseas Filipinos in our quest for a better life.”
According to Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, “We are thankful to Pope Francis for consistently speaking on behalf of migrants and refugees. We agree with him that human trafficking is indeed ‘a crime against humanity’ and that forced migration is ‘an anomaly’ and a matter of grave concern for our migrant workers and their families.”
“As he visits the Philippines, we call on Pope Francis to speak on behalf of an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos in over 239 countries around the world. We call on him to speak out for Filipino migrants in distress and their families,” Martinez said.
There are currently 125 Filipinos on death row abroad – the most number of whom have been executed under the present Aquino administration. At least 7,000 Filipinos are languishing in jails abroad without legal assistance and at least 25,000 are stranded and awaiting repatriation in the Middle East alone. Millions are undocumented and in danger of being criminalized abroad as host countries continue to impose more strict immigration and border policies. At least half a million Filipinos, mostly women and children, are victims of trafficking. Millions more suffer labor abuses and violations and endure modern-day slavery for the sake of their families back home.
Despite all these, Martinez said, the Aquino administration has intensified its labor export policy. “The Aquino government has highly praised itself for its supposed efforts to work with migrant-receiving governments to ensure the rights and welfare of OFWs. But the truth is OFWs are plagued with an assortment of issues and problems throughout the entire migration cycle yet the Aquino government has barely done any decisive action to support and protect OFWs and their families. The Aquino government’s ability to uphold Filipinos migrants’ rights and promote their welfare has lagged behind its apparent success in implementing its labor export policy.”
Pope Francis is a staunch supporter and advocate of the rights and welfare of migrants and refugees. He has been very vocal in his criticisms on forced migration and the criminalization of undocumented migrants and refugees, and his stance against trafficking in persons and modern-day slavery.
On January 16, the Holy Father will be holding a dialogue with some Filipino migrants and their families at the Mall of Asia Arena.
On the same date, Migrante International will be holding an International Day of Prayer and Solidarity to bring to the Pope’s attention the plight of Filipino migrants and their families all over the world.
“We call on Pope Francis to heed our call: Stand with us against trafficking and modern-day slavery of Filipino migrants! Struggle with us against Aquino’s labor export policy!” Martinez said. ### Open Letter of Filipino Migrants to Pope Francis
Pope of the Poor, Fight with Us: An Open Letter of Filipino Migrants to Pope Francis
December 18, 2014
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 0939-3914418
Pope of the poor, fight with us.
We are Filipino migrants, immigrants, refugees from all over the world who, together with our families, call upon Your Eminence, to bear witness to our struggle. We call on you to speak in behalf of overseas Filipinos in our quest for a better life. We have experienced first-hand human and labor rights abuses and exploitation. Hear our stories and join us in our fight against modern-day slavery.
Of present, an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos are found in over 230 countries. Massive unempoyment, landlessness, poverty and globalization have been forcing our countrymen to migrate. There exists a widespread desolation, hopelessness and desperation that have caused the Filipino people’s diaspora.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. In your tenet to build “A Church without frontiers, mother to all”, we likewise reach out to you with open arms and hearts for our common objective to open the doors of Your Church worldwide in the spirit of genuine service to the people.
Like you, we stand firm that forced migration is an anomaly and a matter of deep concern involving the lives and dignity of our migrant workers. Ours is now an era of modern-day slavery wherein our migrant workers and their families are subjected to most cruel conditions in favor of greed for remittances and the desecration of human rights.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. We have seen the absence of legal frameworks that genuinely promote and protect the rights and welfare of our OFWs and their families. We have dissected and evaluated the efficiency or lack thereof of existing government programs and discussed ways to bring these to the concern of our authorities. We realize that the Philippines has many policies and laws on migration that need to be translated into concrete action.
We have seen that the continuation and intensification of the government’s labor export policy would only add more to the sufferings of our people, making them more vulnerable to human and labor rights abuses. We ask of you to speak out against this policy. We need to address the fundamental conditions of our society, especially the unequal distribution of wealth and work among nations which drives our people to forced migration.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. We agree with you that human trafficking is indeed “a crime against humanity”. It is a violation of our fundamental rights. It breeds the evils of discrimination, criminalization of undocumented migrants and all forms of violence, oppression and enslavement.
We are also greatly disturbed and moved by the tragedy of the separation of families. We cry for the sufferings and pains of children left behind and growing up without proper guidance, parents and couples estranged from each other, and the resulting economic, emotional and psychological implications of loved ones being uprooted from their families.
We call on you to work hand in hand with migrants’ organizations and advocates in support of the plight of our Filipino migrants. There are still many things that need to be done. Pope of the poor, fight with us.
We call on Your Eminence, that through Your Office, you can help us in organizing and broadening our reach and making our voices resound. There is a dire need to consolidate our efforts in various parts of the world. Together, let us face the challenge of holding the cause of Filipino migrants and their families.
Pope of the Poor, fight with us. In the spirit of service to the people, together, let our aspirations and advocacies be realized. ###
We are Filipino migrants, immigrants, refugees from all over the world who, together with our families, call upon Your Eminence, to bear witness to our struggle. We call on you to speak in behalf of overseas Filipinos in our quest for a better life. We have experienced first-hand human and labor rights abuses and exploitation. Hear our stories and join us in our fight against modern-day slavery.
Of present, an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos are found in over 230 countries. Massive unempoyment, landlessness, poverty and globalization have been forcing our countrymen to migrate. There exists a widespread desolation, hopelessness and desperation that have caused the Filipino people’s diaspora.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. In your tenet to build “A Church without frontiers, mother to all”, we likewise reach out to you with open arms and hearts for our common objective to open the doors of Your Church worldwide in the spirit of genuine service to the people.
Like you, we stand firm that forced migration is an anomaly and a matter of deep concern involving the lives and dignity of our migrant workers. Ours is now an era of modern-day slavery wherein our migrant workers and their families are subjected to most cruel conditions in favor of greed for remittances and the desecration of human rights.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. We have seen the absence of legal frameworks that genuinely promote and protect the rights and welfare of our OFWs and their families. We have dissected and evaluated the efficiency or lack thereof of existing government programs and discussed ways to bring these to the concern of our authorities. We realize that the Philippines has many policies and laws on migration that need to be translated into concrete action.
We have seen that the continuation and intensification of the government’s labor export policy would only add more to the sufferings of our people, making them more vulnerable to human and labor rights abuses. We ask of you to speak out against this policy. We need to address the fundamental conditions of our society, especially the unequal distribution of wealth and work among nations which drives our people to forced migration.
Pope of the poor, fight with us. We agree with you that human trafficking is indeed “a crime against humanity”. It is a violation of our fundamental rights. It breeds the evils of discrimination, criminalization of undocumented migrants and all forms of violence, oppression and enslavement.
We are also greatly disturbed and moved by the tragedy of the separation of families. We cry for the sufferings and pains of children left behind and growing up without proper guidance, parents and couples estranged from each other, and the resulting economic, emotional and psychological implications of loved ones being uprooted from their families.
We call on you to work hand in hand with migrants’ organizations and advocates in support of the plight of our Filipino migrants. There are still many things that need to be done. Pope of the poor, fight with us.
We call on Your Eminence, that through Your Office, you can help us in organizing and broadening our reach and making our voices resound. There is a dire need to consolidate our efforts in various parts of the world. Together, let us face the challenge of holding the cause of Filipino migrants and their families.
Pope of the Poor, fight with us. In the spirit of service to the people, together, let our aspirations and advocacies be realized. ### Seeking decent shelter a year after Yolanda
IBON Features | 8 January 2015 | Survivors still face the difficulties of prolonged uncertainty of temporary shelters and lack of livelihood, amid government measures that aggravate their plight
By Xandra Bisenio
IBON Features– Decent shelter is a fundamental social right which super-typhoon Yolanda survivors have not fully realized even a year after the calamity hit the country. Government’s establishment of a one-stop-shop for the clearance and processing of permanent housing projects just days before the first year anniversary of Yolanda is more likely a publicity measure amid growing criticism of its slow-paced rehabilitation program.
Notwithstanding government efforts to create a semblance of improvement in areas in Leyte where Pope Francis will be setting foot this January, Yolanda survivors continue to face the difficulties of residing in temporary shelters as well as the prolonged uncertainty of livelihood amid goverment measures that aggravate their plight.
In focus: Eastern Visayas. Tatay Benigno, 62, lost his livelihood of fishing and fish vending to the sea. His house, along with about 500 households in Barangay San Roque, one of the most populated coastal barangays of Tanauan, Leyte, was totally destroyed and washed out by Yolanda. Despite his old age and with only one hand to work on, he continues to assist fishermen in pulling their boats ashore in exchange for fish and crabs, which he sells to his neighbors at the relocation at Bgy. Pago so he could buy rice. He worked every day without pay to complete the 1,800 hours “sweat for asset” mechanic just to get this housing unit. But his unit, the roofing of which is faulty and leaks into a small pool of water whenever it rains, remains incomplete because the 70% funding counterpart from the National Housing Authority has not arrived as of September 2014. Two other relocation areas are set to be put up in Barangay Sacme and Barangay Maribi of the same town even if these barangays have been mapped as among those prone to severe flooding in Tanauan.
Meanwhile, many of the region’s residents living in tent cities have to suffer extreme heat and cold in Tacloban City tent cities located near coastal areas: an eight-month-old baby died at the San Jose tent city last May because of this. Also, to replace other tents that have become dilapidated after almost a year, residents of Barangays 87, 88 and 89 have requested for temporary shelter kits from the local government but in vain.
“Mainit dito,” says twelve-year-old Charlene Gonzales who stays in a tent house in San Jose of the same town with her mother and siblings. “Walang kuryente, at sa gabi minsan hindi kami makatulog sa init kahit nagpapaypay si Nanay (At daytime we go out because the house is like an oven. There is no electricity, and in the evening sometimes we couldn’t sleep even if Mother uses a fan).” Because it had become difficult to fish since government imposed the no-dwelling zone near the shores, Charlene’s father, who was formerly a fisherman, was forced to find work in Manila as a construction worker.
Thirty-seven-year-old Rodrigo used to earn Php160 everyday as a construction worker before Yolanda struck. Last July, a month after government declared that the relief period was over and stopped delivering relief to Yolanda-stricken areas, Rodrigo’s wife Andrea left for Manila to work as a housemaid for P3,000 a month. There are hardly any jobs available to earn income and support families after Yolanda. Rodrigo is left at the bunkhouse to care after their 15-month-old daughter Rodalyn. They eat twice a day on budgeted rice and noodles and could no longer afford fruits.
Rosenda, 32, is worried that the planned relocation site for them by the LGU in Barangay Tacuranga, Palo, is several kilometers away from the town center of Palo and that their four children’s daily transportation to school would triple from Php30 to Php90 a day. She works as a part time pedicurist and manicurist at Php80 and also sells food. Her husband earns Php260 daily as a hotel janitor.
Rosenda is among the survivors whom the Mayor of Palo informed will be relocated to another temporary shelter in preparation for the visit of Pope Francis in January 2015. The International Organization for Migration, which works with government under the shelter cluster program, checked the relocation site and found that the bunkhouses there did not have toilets yet. Instead of transferring to the relocation site, many of the survivors chose to go back to the original location of their pre-Yolanda homes and livelihood along the government-decared “No-Dwelling-Zones”.
Government itself has countered its own “No-Dwelling-Zone” policy supposedly meant to keep residents from danger zones. For instance, it set-up tent cities in the forbidden areas in various Tanauan barangays and relocated some 764 households from their former temporary shelter, while permanent housing is not yet available.
Aggregates. According to the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), shelter is the second most wanting among the unmet needs of super-typhoon Yolanda/ Haiyan victims at 58%. Shelter follows early recovery and livelihood (73%) as the most unmet need and is succeeded by child and family protection (55%), education (40%), health (38%), food (35%), water, sanitation and hygiene (24%) and nutrition (11%).
Relatedly, the number of displacement sites in Yolanda-affected areas decreased from 109 to 66, but the number of displaced families grew from 5,523 to 5,830 from December 2013-April 2014. Displacement sites include evacuation centers, tent cities, transitional bunkhouses and spontaneous settlements. As of April 2014, the most number of displaced families (3,928) were in bunkhouses. The next most number of displaced families were in 14 tent cities (1,422). Yet, in other typhoon-stricken areas, as in Cebu, bunkhouses have been phased out.
These figures show the lack of more permanent settlement that would more aptly serve as the survivors’ space for long-term recovery. The unconditional provision of decent housing for the typhoon victims appears to be excluded from government’s priorities in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon. The lack of jobs available for the super-typhoon survivors also does not indicate the presence of a strategic economic rehabilitation plan.
The decrease in the 2015 national budget’s overall allocation for socialized and low-cost housing from Php16.4 billion in 2014 to Php9l7 billion proposed for this year, partially explains the sorry state of settlement in Yolanda-affected areas. Social housing has become less of a priority for the national government, especially after giving more room for the private to construct low-cost housing. The fact that majority of Filipinos are poor and cannot afford to avail of these housing projects will be underscored after the one-stop-shop for permanent housing in Yolanda-stricken areas has been declared open for business.
Such state neglect for people’s general welfare and national development is the socio-economic disaster that continues to afflict Yolanda-affected areas – and the entire nation, for that matter – even before the onslaught of what has come to be known as one of the world’s strongest typhoons ever. IBON Features
IBON Features– Decent shelter is a fundamental social right which super-typhoon Yolanda survivors have not fully realized even a year after the calamity hit the country. Government’s establishment of a one-stop-shop for the clearance and processing of permanent housing projects just days before the first year anniversary of Yolanda is more likely a publicity measure amid growing criticism of its slow-paced rehabilitation program.
Notwithstanding government efforts to create a semblance of improvement in areas in Leyte where Pope Francis will be setting foot this January, Yolanda survivors continue to face the difficulties of residing in temporary shelters as well as the prolonged uncertainty of livelihood amid goverment measures that aggravate their plight.
In focus: Eastern Visayas. Tatay Benigno, 62, lost his livelihood of fishing and fish vending to the sea. His house, along with about 500 households in Barangay San Roque, one of the most populated coastal barangays of Tanauan, Leyte, was totally destroyed and washed out by Yolanda. Despite his old age and with only one hand to work on, he continues to assist fishermen in pulling their boats ashore in exchange for fish and crabs, which he sells to his neighbors at the relocation at Bgy. Pago so he could buy rice. He worked every day without pay to complete the 1,800 hours “sweat for asset” mechanic just to get this housing unit. But his unit, the roofing of which is faulty and leaks into a small pool of water whenever it rains, remains incomplete because the 70% funding counterpart from the National Housing Authority has not arrived as of September 2014. Two other relocation areas are set to be put up in Barangay Sacme and Barangay Maribi of the same town even if these barangays have been mapped as among those prone to severe flooding in Tanauan.
Meanwhile, many of the region’s residents living in tent cities have to suffer extreme heat and cold in Tacloban City tent cities located near coastal areas: an eight-month-old baby died at the San Jose tent city last May because of this. Also, to replace other tents that have become dilapidated after almost a year, residents of Barangays 87, 88 and 89 have requested for temporary shelter kits from the local government but in vain.
“Mainit dito,” says twelve-year-old Charlene Gonzales who stays in a tent house in San Jose of the same town with her mother and siblings. “Walang kuryente, at sa gabi minsan hindi kami makatulog sa init kahit nagpapaypay si Nanay (At daytime we go out because the house is like an oven. There is no electricity, and in the evening sometimes we couldn’t sleep even if Mother uses a fan).” Because it had become difficult to fish since government imposed the no-dwelling zone near the shores, Charlene’s father, who was formerly a fisherman, was forced to find work in Manila as a construction worker.
Thirty-seven-year-old Rodrigo used to earn Php160 everyday as a construction worker before Yolanda struck. Last July, a month after government declared that the relief period was over and stopped delivering relief to Yolanda-stricken areas, Rodrigo’s wife Andrea left for Manila to work as a housemaid for P3,000 a month. There are hardly any jobs available to earn income and support families after Yolanda. Rodrigo is left at the bunkhouse to care after their 15-month-old daughter Rodalyn. They eat twice a day on budgeted rice and noodles and could no longer afford fruits.
Rosenda, 32, is worried that the planned relocation site for them by the LGU in Barangay Tacuranga, Palo, is several kilometers away from the town center of Palo and that their four children’s daily transportation to school would triple from Php30 to Php90 a day. She works as a part time pedicurist and manicurist at Php80 and also sells food. Her husband earns Php260 daily as a hotel janitor.
Rosenda is among the survivors whom the Mayor of Palo informed will be relocated to another temporary shelter in preparation for the visit of Pope Francis in January 2015. The International Organization for Migration, which works with government under the shelter cluster program, checked the relocation site and found that the bunkhouses there did not have toilets yet. Instead of transferring to the relocation site, many of the survivors chose to go back to the original location of their pre-Yolanda homes and livelihood along the government-decared “No-Dwelling-Zones”.
Government itself has countered its own “No-Dwelling-Zone” policy supposedly meant to keep residents from danger zones. For instance, it set-up tent cities in the forbidden areas in various Tanauan barangays and relocated some 764 households from their former temporary shelter, while permanent housing is not yet available.
Aggregates. According to the United Nation’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), shelter is the second most wanting among the unmet needs of super-typhoon Yolanda/ Haiyan victims at 58%. Shelter follows early recovery and livelihood (73%) as the most unmet need and is succeeded by child and family protection (55%), education (40%), health (38%), food (35%), water, sanitation and hygiene (24%) and nutrition (11%).
Relatedly, the number of displacement sites in Yolanda-affected areas decreased from 109 to 66, but the number of displaced families grew from 5,523 to 5,830 from December 2013-April 2014. Displacement sites include evacuation centers, tent cities, transitional bunkhouses and spontaneous settlements. As of April 2014, the most number of displaced families (3,928) were in bunkhouses. The next most number of displaced families were in 14 tent cities (1,422). Yet, in other typhoon-stricken areas, as in Cebu, bunkhouses have been phased out.
These figures show the lack of more permanent settlement that would more aptly serve as the survivors’ space for long-term recovery. The unconditional provision of decent housing for the typhoon victims appears to be excluded from government’s priorities in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon. The lack of jobs available for the super-typhoon survivors also does not indicate the presence of a strategic economic rehabilitation plan.
The decrease in the 2015 national budget’s overall allocation for socialized and low-cost housing from Php16.4 billion in 2014 to Php9l7 billion proposed for this year, partially explains the sorry state of settlement in Yolanda-affected areas. Social housing has become less of a priority for the national government, especially after giving more room for the private to construct low-cost housing. The fact that majority of Filipinos are poor and cannot afford to avail of these housing projects will be underscored after the one-stop-shop for permanent housing in Yolanda-stricken areas has been declared open for business.
Such state neglect for people’s general welfare and national development is the socio-economic disaster that continues to afflict Yolanda-affected areas – and the entire nation, for that matter – even before the onslaught of what has come to be known as one of the world’s strongest typhoons ever. IBON Features