hse update november 2011 - january...
TRANSCRIPT
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HSEHSEHSEHSEUpdate The Quarterly News of Human Settlements and Environment Program of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. Issue No. 3 November 2011 - January 2012
Post Post Post Post ----Typhoon Pedring Typhoon Pedring Typhoon Pedring Typhoon Pedring Response in NavotasResponse in NavotasResponse in NavotasResponse in Navotas To lessen the impact left by Typhoon Pedring, TAO-Pilipnas extended relief support to four community organizations in barangays Tanza and Tangos in Navotas.
Funds from donations of friends, Marc Elgin Delgado and Antonio Marquez Camacho, were allocated to purchase food items and basic materials for totally destroyed houses. Food packs containing 1.5 kilos rice, 3 pouches pork and beans, 3 pouches sardines, 5 pieces noodles, 10 sachets 3 in 1 coffee, 10 sachets cereal milk drink and 1 pc detergent bar, were distributed to a total of 151 families. Very basic housing materials composed of tarpaulin, bamboo, twine/fishing line, plywood and corrugated roofing sheets were purchased and distributed to 6 families in Tanza. Families who lost their whole house and were ordered to leave the evacuation center were given priority assistance so they could rebuild a simple house where they could move-in. Community members helped their neighbors rebuild their houses. A total of P55,231.50 were spent for the relief operations.
Appeal for help were posted online and sent to some partner organizations both local and international. However, it was difficult to source financial support since Metro Manila was not among the hardest hit by Typhoon Pedring. Local support were prioritized for Northern Luzon that was badly hit by Typhoon Pedring, and international organizations prioritize Thailand which was experiencing severe flooding at that time. ↸↸↸
In this Issue: • Post-Typhoon Pedring
Response in Navotas
• Masagana of Navotas: The Search for Security of Tenure
• Sitio Pulo in Tanza,
Navotas: Developing Disaster -Resilient Design for Flood-Prone Areas
• ACCA Big Project: Working for the Dream to Happen
PLEASE CONTINUE
SENDING YOUR
DONATIONS TO:
TAO-Pilipinas, Inc.
Bank of Philippine Islands SM City, North EDSA Main
Branch
Bank Tel. No.: +632 928
5917
Dollar Savings Account
No.: 4434-0201-53 Swift Code: BOPI
PHMM
Peso Current Account
No.: 4431-0074-31
(L-R) House rebuilt using tarpaulin sheets, plywood, bamboo and some twine in the former elevated community Urban Garden. Rice ready for distribution to individual food packs. Boxes and sacks ready for distribution to Navotas. Navotas
leaders ready to depart with the food packs to Navotas. Distribution in Tangos.
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Masagana Of NavotasMasagana Of NavotasMasagana Of NavotasMasagana Of Navotas StoryStoryStoryStory : The Search For : The Search For : The Search For : The Search For Security Of TenureSecurity Of TenureSecurity Of TenureSecurity Of Tenure by Menelo Abueva and Marginela Brucelo
Ang Masagana of Navotas Neighborhood Association, Inc.
ay nagsimula ng magkaroon ng malaking problema sa
dating sinasakupang samahan. Ito noon ay SANAGMANA.
Dahil sa maling pamamalakad ng samahan at paggamit
ng pondo para sa kanilang kapakanan na hindi man lang
nalalaman ng samahan at paggamit ng pera na
ibinabayad ng mga tao sa may-ari ng lupang kanilang
kinatitirikan. Nang malaman ito ng samahan ang lahat ng
miyembro ay nagpulong at nag-aklas na gusto ng
panibagong samahan sa pamamagitan ng botohan na
ginanap noong ika-25 na Enero 2009. Ito ay sinaksihan ng
tumutulong na NGOs, PCUP at LRA. Ito ay pinarehistro sa
SEC, munisipyo ng Navotas at Barangay Tanza upang
tuluyang maging legal. Dito nagsimula ang MASAGANA.
Ang samahan ng MASAGANA ay mga lehetimong nakatira
ngayon sa MASAGANA area Tanza, Navotas, isang
komunidad na punong-puno ng pakikibaka sa buhay.
Mayroong bilang ng mga kasapi na 69 na may iisang
pangarap at layuning magkaroon ng kasiguruhan sa
paninirahan.
Ang komunidad ng Masagana ay pinalilibutan ng tubig
dagat maging ang kinatitirikan ng kanilang mga tahanan
at dahil dito ang mga kasapi ay mga pangkaraniwang
mamamayan na ang pangkabuhayan lamang ay
pangingisda at pagtitinda ng gulay at prutas na tinitinda
nila sa pamamagitan ng kariton.
Ang komunidad ng MASAGANA ay isa sa bulnerableng
lugar sapagkat, kadalasang sinasalanta lalo na pag may
bagyo na nagiging sanhi ng sobrahang kahirapan.
Dahil doon ang MASAGANA ay nagpasyang maghanap ng
ibang malilipatan at sa tulong ng TAO-Pilipinas, kami
ngayon ay tinutulungan ng Asian Coalition for Community
Action para sa dalawang malaking proyekto ang palupa at
pabahay. Ito ay pautang nababayaran sa murang halaga
sa loob ng 3 taon, dahil sa tulong din ng TAO-Pilipinas ang
MASAGANA ay may grant na halaga mula sa SELAVIP para
sa panimulang pabahay, at Holcim upang ihubog ang mga
kalalakihan upang ihubog para sa masonry na kanilang
proyekto. Ngunit bago namin makamit ang lahat ng ito,
ang MASAGANA ay nagland research muna, nakipag-
dialogue sa mga lokal na ahensya ng Angat, sa kapitan, sa
Mayor, Nawasa, Meralco, DPWH, at iba pa.
Sa ngayon, nabili na ang lupa para sa MASAGANA at ang
samahan tuwing Linggo ay pumupunta ng sabay-sabay
doon upang maglinis para masurvey na ang resettlement
site.
TRANSLATION:
The Masagana of Navotas Neighborhood Association was formed when a big problem occurred with the
former organization in the community, SANAGMANA, due to the corrupt management of the organization, use of the organizational funds for
personal interest of its president and vice president without the knowledge of the organization and the malversation of collected funds for the land
amortization paid by the members for the land owner. When the organization found out about the corruption, all the members met and agreed to form a new organization by voting on January 25, 2009.
This was witnessed by representatives of supporting organizations: NGOs, and national government agencies (PCUP, LRA). The new organization was
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the local government unit and the barangay so it will have legal personality. This is the
beginning of MASAGANA. The organization, Masagana is a legitimate
organization of residents living in Masagana Area, Tanza, Navotas. It is a community full of struggles for life. It has 69 members with one vision and
objective: to have security of tenure. The community of Masagana is surrounded by water
including the land on which their houses stand. The residents are simple people whose sources of income are fishing, selling fruits and vegetables
through pushcarts.
The community of Masagana is vulnerable, often hit by hazards especially typhoons, causing more
difficulty to earn and increasing poverty. Because of this, Masagana decided to search for alternative sites and with the help of TAO- Pilipinas, we are now assisted by Asian Coalition for Community
Action for two stages of a big project: land acquisition and housing. This is a loan that will be paid through a low monthly amortization for 3
years.
Also, through the help of TAO-Pilipinas, Masagana got a grant from SELAVIP for a starter house, and
support from HOLCIM for the training of men in masonry construction through its Galing Mason Program.
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Sitio Pulo in Tanza, Navotas: Developing Disaster Sitio Pulo in Tanza, Navotas: Developing Disaster Sitio Pulo in Tanza, Navotas: Developing Disaster Sitio Pulo in Tanza, Navotas: Developing Disaster ----Resilient Resilient Resilient Resilient TechnologiesTechnologiesTechnologiesTechnologies for Floodfor Floodfor Floodfor Flood----Prone AreasProne AreasProne AreasProne Areas
Sitio Pulo is an island along Manila Bay along the northwestern coast of Tanza, Navotas. It is bounded to the north by the little mangrove forest that remains in Navotas, and to the west by fishponds. Access to and from the main barangay of Tanza is through a 2m-wide earth dike spanning a length of more than 500m. With a population of approximately 100 families, the site is home to small fishermen or fishing industry workers. Considered an informal settlement, this poor community is at the frontline of typhoons and storm surges and is extremely vulnerable. The community was recommended by the Local government of Navotas to be the pilot site for an Asian
Development Bank supported demonstration project on disaster-resilient design for flood-prone areas. The demonstration project aims to develop disaster resilient technologies for flood-prone areas and formulate a disaster preparedness and mitigation plan to reduce the impact of hazards and damage to life and property of vulnerable communities like in Sitio Pulo.
Masagana, Navotas in 2007 (note the Masagana, Navotas in 2011 (note The Resettlement Site in Angat,
yellow structure on land) again the yellow structure on water) Bulacan.
But before we achieved all these, Masagana first conducted land research, dialogues with the local government of Angat, the barangay, the municipal mayor, Water District, power supply service provider, the Department of Public Works and Highways among others.
Now, the land was purchased by TAO-Pilpinas for Masagana. Every Sunday, members go to Angat to clean the site in preparation for land survey. (Read related story in HSE Update Issue No. 1) �
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TAO-Pilipinas conducted a series of consultations with the residents to assess their knowledge and awareness on hazards affecting them, disaster preparedness, existing system of disaster response and plan out community actions both structural and non-structural, to reduce vulnerability and improve disaster preparedness. A situational analysis report was completed last November 2011 presenting the present condition of the site. (Copy of the report may be requested from TAO-Pilpinas. Email: [email protected].) Hazards and resource maps were drawn by 40 participants to the workshop and structural measures were identified to address priority needs. Among the structural measures identified by the community are the repair of the wooden bridge, repair of earth dike and houses. The community was united in prioritizing the repair of the wooden bridge and in integrating a rain gauge along the bridge columns to alert the community on the level of water in the surrounding area during heavy rains. The second priority is to repair the earth dike and third is the houses. The project will be completed by August 2012 and expects to produce a toolkit for production of disaster-resilient building materials and technologies for flood prone areas, and present at least five models demonstrating the application of these technologies.
The wooden Bridge – the only link to the The earth dike – muddy when it rains, Consultation workshop. One group
Barangay through the earth dike. was breached when Typhoon Pedring hit draws their priority structural
the coastal areas of Navotas. measures in a base map.
Asian Coalition for Community Action (ACCA) is a regional initiative supporting community-initiated slum upgrading
projects in Asia. The project is a brainchild of Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), a regional network of non-
government organizations and individuals holding its main office in Bangkok, Thailand. The ACCA project to date is
implemented in 145 cities in 19 countries and aims to support the initiative in 150 cities in Asia (see www.achr.net).
The 1.4 hectare Masagana Resettlement Project in Barangay Pulong Yantok, Angat, Bulacan is supported by ACCA
Big Project grant of US$ 40,000, where funds provided is used as a revolving fund to ensure that more needy
families are provided by financial assistance. The first round of ACCA Big Project beneficiaries are members of
Masagana. The grant to ACCA Navotas Network is extended as a loan payable in 3 years at 5% interest. An initial
savings to ACCA of P5,000 per family is required to avail of the loan. Members of Masagana started savings since
August 2009 in preparation for the resettlement project. To date, a total of PhP 321,690 has been saved by 67
members of Masagana. The decision to resettle to Bulacan was confirmed in February 2011 after Masagana leaders
and members have searched for land and selected a site. Verification of possible legal issues involving the selected
site were initiated and a final advice to proceed with the purchase of the land was received in June2010. Final
acquisition of land was sealed in August 2011 in a deed of sale signing ceremony and the payment of the full
Big Project : Working Working Working Working Hard Hard Hard Hard for the Dream to for the Dream to for the Dream to for the Dream to
ACCAACCAACCAACCA
HappenHappenHappenHappen
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amount, P1 million, during the TAO 10th Anniversary celebration. The total projected cost for the resettlement
project is about PhP 18,130,500 including: Land acquisition (PhP1,000,000.00), Site development (PhP 6,980,500.00
= 13,961 sqm x 500/sqm), House construction (PhP10,050,000.00 = P150,000 x 67 housing units), additional ROW
(PhP 100,000.00 - approx only, not prime land price in Angat is about P100/sqm). Planning and design services,
survey and development permit requirements will be the counterpart of the community.
Additional funds and support are being sourced by the community and TAO to realize the resettlement project.
Additional grant of US$30,000 from SELAVIP is extended to the very poor families in Masagana as materials grant
(not a loan). Professional technical services for planning, design, survey and environmental studies are sourced at
socialized rates to lower the total project cost. Private sector support for construction training and livelihood
development is also being sought. The total funds sourced to date are only approximately PhP3million including the
PhP 1 million already paid to the land owner.
Ever conscious of their own poverty, Masagana members know that land and housing is not enough to sustain them.
Concrete livelihood options are being explored: organic farming, alternative materials production. A dialogue with
one adjacent land owner was initiated to solicit his willingness to lend his land to farming for a just share on the
produce. A farm production feasibility study was made with the help of another NGO, Center for Agrarian Reform
and Rural Development. Possible markets of farm products are also being explored. A training on alternative
materials production was conducted with some of the male members of Masagana. A feasibility study to pursue the
production as an income generating project still needs to be done.
Difficulties however, abound. Typhoon Nesat hit the coastal areas of Metro Manila totally destroying 7 houses and
affecting 44 families in Masagana. People lost income and had difficulty to repair their houses and much more save.
Delays in public hearing at the barangay in Pulong Yantok, for land reclassification limits the actions the community
can take in the site. The right-of-way connecting the site to the main road is in another municipality (The site is at
the boundary of Angat municipality close to Sta. Maria), Sta. Maria. The required road width should be that of a
provincial road. The existing road width is 4m and the Barangay Chairman of Sta. Maria demands to make it 15m!
Alternative ROWs within the same barangay, Pulong Yantok in Angat, is being explored. Either way, it will cost the
community an additional amount of money.
The Masagana leaders though sometimes daunted by the problems remain courageous and calm against the
sometimes unfavorable reactions and other social forces surrounding them, taking each problem one at a time. As
the New Year arrives, schedules for meetings and action will unfold and soon their problems will be addressed.
Patience is truly a virtue.
The following is the proposed timeline for the Masagana Resettlement Project. (Read related story in HSE Update
Issue No. 1).
Jan-Apr
2011
May-Aug
2011
June –Dec
2011
Nov 2011 –
Jan 2012
Feb- March
2012
Mar - June
2012
May-Aug
2012
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2012
June
2012
Oct
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PRE-DEVELOPMENT STAGE
POST
DEVELOPMENT
STAGE DEVELOPMENT STAGE