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

Summary

The 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.