Families in Navotas live on the cemetery out of poverty | Investigative Documentaries

GMA Integrated News

18 Sept 201506:58

Summary

TLDRThe video script addresses the escalating population in Metro Manila, which is expected to grow by 4 million in the next three decades. It highlights the Navotas Public Cemetery, where families live amidst the deceased due to a lack of housing. The area is plagued by garbage and pollution, affecting the health of residents, especially children. The script features Virginia, who has lived over a grave since 1979, and Lady, who rents a small house above a niche, struggling to make ends meet. The families yearn for better living conditions, but economic constraints and lack of government support make it difficult for them to escape their current situation.

Takeaways

🏙️ Metro Manila is becoming increasingly congested, with 12 million people living in the National Capital Region as of 2014.
📈 The population of Metro Manila is expected to grow by 4 million in the next three decades.
🗑️ Navotas Public Cemetery is heavily affected by waste and garbage, creating unpleasant conditions for those visiting or living nearby.
🏚️ Many families, including Virginia's, have been living on top of graves in Navotas Cemetery since the late 1970s due to the lack of affordable housing.
👶 Virginia raised her children in the cemetery, and now her extended family also resides there, struggling with poor living conditions.
🏠 Lady, a mother of nine, rents a small space above a tomb, struggling to support her family due to limited income and poor living conditions.
⚠️ The area around the cemetery is very hazardous, particularly during storms, as it is located close to Manila Bay and is prone to flooding.
💡 Families like Lady’s often live in cramped, unsanitary conditions with limited access to clean water and proper sanitation.
📊 Experts emphasize that as the population grows, the government must increase services and improve the economy to meet the needs of the people.
🏘️ Many families living in the cemetery hope to one day own a proper home, but the lack of income and resources keeps them trapped in their current situation.

Q & A

What is the main issue highlighted at the beginning of the transcript regarding Metro Manila?
-The main issue is the increasing population in Metro Manila, which is putting pressure on the city's infrastructure and resources.
How large was the population of the Philippines in 2014, and how many people lived in the National Capital Region?
-In 2014, the population of the Philippines was 100 million, with 12 million people living in the National Capital Region (NCR).
What are the living conditions like at the Navotas Public Cemetery?
-The living conditions at the Navotas Public Cemetery are poor, with foul smells from garbage, a lack of cleanliness, and families living in makeshift homes atop graves.
Why do people live in the cemetery, according to the residents mentioned in the transcript?
-People live in the cemetery because of poverty and the lack of affordable housing. Residents like Virginia have been living there for decades after building homes on top of tombs.
What challenges do families face living in the cemetery area?
-Families face various challenges such as unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, health issues due to poor sanitation, and the constant threat of flooding due to proximity to the sea.
How often is garbage collected at the Navotas Public Cemetery?
-Garbage is collected once a week on Saturdays, but it often piles up and never seems to be fully cleared.
Why is living near the cemetery considered hazardous?
-Living near the cemetery is hazardous due to frequent flooding during typhoons and the rainy season, as the area is located near Manila Bay.
How do residents like Lady sustain themselves financially?
-Residents like Lady struggle financially. Lady's husband earns 300 pesos a day as a welder, which is barely enough to cover their daily needs, forcing them to live in poor conditions.
What does Lady hope for her children despite their difficult living conditions?
-Lady hopes her children can finish their education and eventually escape the poverty and harsh living conditions they are currently experiencing.
What is the government being criticized for in relation to the growing population and living conditions of the poor?
-The government is being criticized for not adequately improving services and the economy to meet the increasing needs of the growing population. The lack of housing and basic services forces families like Lady's and Virginia's to live in hazardous conditions.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Growing Population Crisis in Metro Manila

Metro Manila is becoming increasingly overcrowded, with 12 million people in the National Capital Region alone. By 2014, the Philippines had a population of 100 million, and it's expected to grow by 4 million over the next three decades. The city already feels the effects of this rapid population growth. One striking example is the Navotas public cemetery, which has turned into a massive garbage dump. Those visiting or living in the area are greeted by the foul smell of trash, with residents contributing to the waste. The cemetery, which serves both as a resting place for the dead and a home for the living, has housed families like Virginia's since 1979. Though initially unsettling, these families have adapted to the harsh environment of living in a graveyard amidst garbage.

05:01

💔 Struggles of the Living Among the Dead

Virginia and many others living in the cemetery face unsanitary conditions as their homes are built atop graves. Only once a week is the trash collected, leaving the area perpetually dirty. Navotas, once a spacious seaside community, is now filled with 8,000 families in makeshift homes. The danger of living by the sea is heightened during stormy seasons, as their houses are at risk of destruction. Families like Lady's rent small homes built over tombs. Lady herself lives with her children in a cramped space shared with two other families. Despite wanting to move, they are bound by poverty, with Lady's husband earning only Php300 a day. This harsh life is compounded by frequent illness among her children due to the unsanitary environment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Metro Manila

Metro Manila, officially known as the National Capital Region, is the capital region of the Philippines. It is a key concept in the video as it sets the geographical context for the issues discussed. The video mentions that Metro Manila is home to 12 million people, highlighting the region's high population density and the challenges that come with it.

💡Population Growth

Population growth is a central theme in the video. It is mentioned that the population of Metro Manila is expected to increase by 4 million in the next three decades. This growth puts pressure on resources, infrastructure, and services, leading to the various issues discussed in the video, such as overcrowding and inadequate housing.

💡Navotas Public Cemetery

The Navotas Public Cemetery is a specific location within Metro Manila that serves as a focal point in the video. It is depicted as an area with a significant amount of waste and pollution, affecting the living conditions of those residing nearby. The cemetery is also used as a symbol of the challenges faced by the urban poor in the region.

💡Overcrowding

Overcrowding is a direct consequence of population growth in the video. It is illustrated by the living conditions of families residing near the Navotas Public Cemetery, where space is limited, and the environment is polluted. The video shows how overcrowding leads to poor living conditions and a lack of basic services.

💡Waste Management

Waste management is a critical issue highlighted in the video, particularly in the context of the Navotas Public Cemetery. The area is described as having a significant amount of waste, which contributes to the poor living conditions and health risks for the residents. The video suggests that waste management is a key challenge that needs to be addressed to improve the situation.

💡Housing Crisis

The housing crisis is a recurring theme in the video, with families living in makeshift homes on top of the cemetery. The video showcases the dire need for affordable and decent housing, as many families are unable to afford proper accommodation, leading to them living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

💡Economic Disparity

Economic disparity is evident in the video through the portrayal of families living in extreme poverty. The video features individuals who struggle to make ends meet, with limited income and poor living conditions. It underscores the need for economic development and social services to address the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

💡Health Risks

Health risks are a significant concern in the video, especially due to the polluted environment and poor living conditions. Families living near the Navotas Public Cemetery face various health hazards, including diseases from contaminated water and air, as well as injuries from the waste itself.

💡Government Services

The video discusses the role of government services in addressing the issues faced by the residents of Metro Manila. It points out the need for better infrastructure, waste management, and housing policies to improve the living conditions of the urban poor. The video implies that the government has a responsibility to provide essential services and address the challenges brought about by population growth.

💡Social Inequality

Social inequality is a key concept in the video, as it highlights the stark differences in living conditions between the urban poor and the more affluent residents of Metro Manila. The video shows how some families are forced to live in extreme poverty, while others enjoy better living standards, emphasizing the need for social policies that promote equity.

💡Urban Planning

Urban planning is an underlying theme in the video, as it touches on the need for better city management to accommodate the growing population and address the issues of overcrowding and inadequate housing. The video suggests that proper urban planning is essential to ensure that the city can provide for its residents and maintain a healthy living environment.

Highlights

Metro Manila's population reached 12 million in 2014, contributing to the increasing population density.

In the next three decades, the population of Metro Manila is expected to increase by an additional 4 million.

The Navotas Public Cemetery is heavily affected by the growing population, turning it into a dumping ground for trash.

Residents living in the cemetery face severe health hazards due to poor sanitation and the unsanitary surroundings.

Families, like Virginia's, have lived in the cemetery for decades, some since 1979, adapting to life among the deceased.

Virginia's family grew while living in the cemetery, where they experienced a unique, difficult life alongside the dead.

Trash is only collected once a week from the cemetery, but it accumulates quickly, causing ongoing sanitary issues.

The area surrounding the Navotas Public Cemetery has transformed from a once-open seaside region into overcrowded informal settlements.

The cemetery residents are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly during stormy seasons, due to their proximity to the sea.

Some families, like Lady’s, rent space on top of the cemetery niches as housing is scarce and expensive.

Lady has nine children, struggling to afford medicine and basic needs for her family, despite her husband’s small daily wage.

The government faces increasing pressure to improve economic services and infrastructure to meet the growing population's needs.

Experts argue that the government's response to economic and social services is critical to addressing population growth challenges.

Families living in the cemetery, such as Lady’s, aspire to move out and provide better living conditions for their children.

Living conditions in the cemetery continue to worsen due to a lack of resources, healthcare, and infrastructure, leaving families like Lady's at risk.