🇵🇭 Philippines housing crisis: Filipinos need affordable homes | Al Jazeera English

Summary

This video highlights the severe housing crisis in the Philippines, where millions live in overcrowded, inadequate conditions. Mary-Rose Arepa and her family live in a cramped, less-than-10-square-meter room that serves as their kitchen, living room, dining area, and bathroom. Despite the government's recognition of the housing shortage, lack of funding and competing priorities have delayed solutions. The growing poverty and displacement caused by natural disasters and conflict exacerbate the issue. Many families, like Mary-Rose's, are classified as illegal settlers and long for affordable housing to call their own.

Takeaways

• 😀 The living conditions of Mary-Rose Arepa and her family are cramped and inadequate, with their small room serving as a kitchen, living room, dining area, and bathroom.
• 😀 The Philippine government estimates a housing backlog of almost 6 million homes, which is expected to reach 8 million by 2022, indicating a severe shortage of affordable housing.
• 😀 The government struggles to meet the housing demand due to budget constraints, as housing is often competing with other sectors like education and health for funding.
• 😀 Disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and long-standing conflicts, particularly in the Mindanao region, contribute to the displacement of thousands of families, exacerbating the housing shortage.
• 😀 Over 22 million Filipinos are currently living in extreme poverty, which makes them more vulnerable to homelessness and worsens the demand for affordable housing.
• 😀 The Philippine government claims it is taking steps to combat poverty and address housing shortages through various programs and projects, but results remain insufficient.
• 😀 Many poor Filipinos are considered 'illegal settlers' due to their lack of homeownership, making them vulnerable to eviction and further economic hardship.
• 😀 Teresita Yi, Mary-Rose's mother, has been living in this precarious situation since 1983, highlighting the long-term struggles faced by those classified as illegal settlers.
• 😀 Teresita Yi's hope is to secure affordable housing that she can gradually pay off, offering her family a sense of stability and permanence.
• 😀 The script highlights the widespread presence of informal settlements (shanties) in Manila, where people endure substandard living conditions without access to proper sanitation.
• 😀 Despite these harsh conditions, many Filipinos continue to migrate to urban areas like Manila in search of employment opportunities, further exacerbating the housing crisis.

Q & A

What challenges does Mary-Rose Arepa face with her living conditions?

Mary-Rose Arepa lives in a small, cramped space with her husband and four children. The less than 10 square meter room serves as their kitchen, living room, dining area, and bathroom. They also struggle with the lack of space and the hot conditions, which make it difficult to stretch their legs.

How many homes are needed for impoverished Filipinos, and what is the expected housing backlog?

According to the Philippine government, almost six million homes need to be built for impoverished Filipinos. This backlog is expected to grow to almost eight million by 2022.

Why is the government unable to meet the housing demand in the Philippines?

The government states that it does not have enough money to meet the housing demand. Additionally, the priorities for the budget are focused on sectors such as education and health, leaving housing as a lower priority.

What factors worsen the housing crisis in the Philippines?

The housing crisis is worsened by factors like natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, as well as the decades-long conflict in regions like Mindanao. These events lead to displacement of thousands of families every year.

How does the growing population impact the housing situation in the Philippines?

The growing population, with more than 22 million Filipinos living in extreme poverty, exacerbates the demand for affordable housing, further increasing the housing backlog.

What action does the Philippine government claim it is taking to address poverty and housing?

The government claims that it is working through programs, projects, and activities of various government agencies and local government units to eradicate poverty, which includes efforts to address housing issues.

What is the classification of many Filipinos who are unemployed and do not own homes?

Many Filipinos who are unemployed and do not own homes are classified as 'illegal settlers' by the government.

What does Teresita Yi, Mary-Rose's mother, wish for regarding housing?

Teresita Yi, who has been living in a similar situation for over 35 years, hopes to be relocated to an affordable housing project where she can eventually own a home and pay for it gradually.

What is the living condition like in the capital, Manila, for many Filipinos?

In the capital, Manila, many people live in small shanties with inadequate sanitation. Despite these conditions, many continue to migrate to the city in search of jobs.

How does living without a permanent home affect individuals like Teresita Yi?

Living without a permanent home makes individuals like Teresita Yi feel lost and drifting, as they lack stability and security.