Remove the Slums not the Slum Dwellers: Options and Challenges for R10 Residents

Report 47: Remove the Slums not the Slum Dwellers: Options and Challenges for R10 Residents

The government’s clean- up drive in Metro Manila has resulted to a lot of displacement of individuals and families living in slums, streets and other state- owned properties. In relation to this, the research studied the challenges being faced by a community threatened by a demolition. The research also attempted to identify the immediate and felt needs of the residents that must be attended as well as the options—legal and extra-legal—that the residents could opt to take in relation to their displacement.

The community under study is an urban area located at Mabuhay St., Barangay 39, Road 10, Tondo, Manila. The expanse of R1O houses approximately 4000 families—all whom will be certainly affected by the forthcoming demolition. The research gave a general description of the urban poor situation with special emphasis on R1O. It also described the scope and processes of the demolition which affected the urban poor dwellers of R1O. The research also presented experiences and testimonies undergone by the people affected in R1O’s demolition processes as well as the effects (social cost) of the impending demolition on them. Furthermore, the study analyzed the laws and policies concerning the urban poor sector. Finally, the research also formulated a campaign advocacy plan which aims to unify the community on the issue of demolition.