Floods, esteros and relocation

With one typhoon moving out of the country and more to expect, stronger killer storms we are warned, we ask ourselves the same question we have asked ourselves over and over again: what to do to effectively prepare for and manage typhoons, floods and other disasters?

It is not easy to answer this question either. There are other priorities, just as urgent, that have been begging for resolutions as well: hunger and poverty alleviation, among others.

The recent announcement about the relocation within this year of thousands of families living along waterways or esteros will encounter various responses.

For sure, those in the esteros will oppose this move, together with their supporters.

The poor families have long known that living along the esteros is very risky for them. They have, however, probably reckoned that being homeless is just as risky as living along the esteros. For now, living along the esteros means life for them. Sure, it is risky, sure, they know that they may lose their lives being along the waterways. Not to mention the dirt and filth and health damage just being where they are now. But where else can they be? Where else can they live, even just on a day to day basis?

The government sees the danger of their being in the esteros. Can the government as well see beyond the esteros, the poverty of the residents there, their urgent need to survive?

Sadly, no government as yet has seen beyond their residence in the esteros. No government as yet has succeeded in responding effectively and comprehensively to the cries of those in the esteros and the millions of poor Filipinos elsewhere for basic food and shelter.

The poor are where they are, at the esteros, within dumpsites, along da riles and other precarious locations, because, ironically, these are the places which provide them life, even on borrowed time. These so-called danger areas are where the poor find refuge, never mind if the next typhoon will blow away their makeshift homes and roofs made of carton. They can find again, in the garbage, items to rebuild their houses but they cannot easily find lands to build their makeshift houses on.

Where the poor are now, somehow, they are able to find something that allows them to survive a day at a time. That can be the precious garbage surrounding them, which they can sell and with that little money, be able to buy and bring home food. No matter how insufficient, that will be enough to tide the rest of the family for yet another day. On bad days, some of them scrounge through the garbage for some leftover food to tide the hunger of the family, again, for another day. Like everyone else, the poor want to stay alive a day at a time

Along the esteros and other risky areas where they reside, the adults may have access to some informal jobs. Even if the pay is small, even if the job is unstable, as long as that informal employment can tide them over for a day or more, that is sufficient. They know the risk of residing where they are but they see the greater risk in not eating per day. What is more risky- to perish in the floods where they reside, along the esteros or to go without food for a day or more?

Along the esteros, there are children as well who are able to go to school, who have some type of work as well. Will those in charge of relocation consider them as well?

The request of the politicians to do the relocation after elections was heard by the officials in charge of this massive and expensive project. Will the same officials listen to the voices of the children, the rest of the poor along the esteros?

If the relocation plan and the budget will cover a comprehensive plan for the poor, at the very least, are these requirements already in place? One, a sensitive and thorough preparation system involving genuine consultation especially with those whose lives will be affected, 2) availability of sustainable employment even before the relocation and especially after the relocation, 3) prepared land with plants and vegetables already awaiting the relocatees and space for them to raise animals for their food and livelihood needs, 4) adequate and completed housing before their transfer, with effective working water and sanitary systems in place, 5) accessible and secured roads and transportation , 6) completed enrolment and registration of children to be transferred, and, 7) a transparent system of budget accountability and sustained monitoring with clear designation of persons in charge of several stages of the relocation process and plan.

Those to be relocated have been moving in and out of danger zones daily, just to keep themselves alive. Relocation hopefully will offer them better lives where they will enjoy the security of being well-cared for. Government officials,hopefully, will also realize their responsibility of moving the poor out of poverty and danger.

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