Broken Homes, Torched Dreams

Submitted by Dan Iver Ray Aldas

 

 In 2006, the Geneva-based Center for Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) cited Philippines as one of the three housing rights violators along with Nigeria and Greece. Today, the situation did not changed but exacerbated.
Broken Homes, Torched Dreams is a documentary of the continuous battle that many Filipino “informal settlers” undertake. Giving way to the local and national government’s urban development projects vis-a-vis public-private partnerships, they faced political harassments from public officials and worse, forced evictions thru harsh demolitions.
Forced eviction and distant relocation is the most disruptive issue they are facing. Urban poor communities are blaiming the Philippine governance as the root cause of these issues and exacerbate the already bad situation. In every forced eviction, violence often breaks out and greatly affected are the children who bear the trauma of watching their homes being destroyed.
In addition, allocated or proposed relocation sites make adequate living unsustainable – former garbage dumpfill, no water and electricity, substandard houses, inadequate emergency services, and too far from sources of livelihood. Due to these reasons, families that had been relocated to these allocated sites, end up selling their rights and returned as squatters in government and private owned lands. For the past years the Philippine government's performance on the provision of socialized housing has always been dismal despite their contrary claims.


A general view of one of the many evacuation sites allocated by the government for the victims of the demolition.
A general view of one of the many evacuation sites allocated by the government for the victims of the demolition.

A view showing an area that will be affected by the Manila Bay Development Project wherein a total of 25,000 houses are in danger of getting demolished involving 75,000 families. Municipality of Navotas, Philippines.
A view showing an area that will be affected by the Manila Bay Development Project wherein a total of 25,000 houses are in danger of getting demolished involving 75,000 families. Municipality of Navotas, Philippines.
A general view of San Roque community, Navotas Philippines after the fire incident that destroyed a public elementary school and more than 100 homes, killing eleven people, including a six-month-old baby. One of the resident claim that the fire was intentional.
A general view of San Roque community, Navotas Philippines after the fire incident that destroyed a public elementary school and more than 100 homes, killing eleven people, including a six-month-old baby. One of the resident claim that the fire was intentional.
A man playing his guitar on their make shift tent, days after the fire incident that burned their community. Arson probers said the fire destroyed a public elementary school and more than 100 homes, killing eleven people, including a six-month-old baby. One of the resident claim that the fire was intentional.
A man playing his guitar on their make shift tent, days after the fire incident that burned their community. Arson probers said the fire destroyed a public elementary school and more than 100 homes, killing eleven people, including a six-month-old baby. One of the resident claim that the fire was intentional.
A portrait of Jesus Christ hangs on a wall of a shanty while a resident takes some sleep.
A portrait of Jesus Christ hangs on a wall of a shanty while a resident takes some sleep.
A few days after the fire in Brgy. San Roque, Navotas, the local government of Navotas City, led by the City Engineering Office started to tear down the remains of the burnt houses.
A few days after the fire in Brgy. San Roque, Navotas, the local government of Navotas City, led by the City Engineering Office started to tear down the remains of the burnt houses.

A few days after the fire in Brgy. San Roque, Navotas, the local government of Navotas City, led by the City Engineering Office started to tear down the remains of the burnt houses. Residents resist the demolition due to the poor condition in the evacuation centers.
A few days after the fire in Brgy. San Roque, Navotas, the local government of Navotas City, led by the City Engineering Office started to tear down the remains of the burnt houses. Residents resist the demolition due to the poor condition in the evacuation centers.
Residents fled their homes carrying their belongings as demolition ensues
Residents fled their homes carrying their belongings as demolition ensues
A kid watched as policemen fully padded, armed with sticks and shields stand guard and formed a barricade line.
A kid watched as policemen fully padded, armed with sticks and shields stand guard and formed a barricade line.
Police officers arresting a resident who resisted during the demolition.
Police officers arresting a resident who resisted during the demolition.