Buhay sementeryo: an assessment and comparison of the living conditions of informal settlers in three public cemeteries in Metro Manila

Abstract

The rise of urbanization has brought about the rise of the number of informal settlement in the cities. Poverty has remained to be one of the most prominent issues in the country up to this day. People are forced to move into informal settlements because of this. This issue is synonymous to the lack of housing or shelter caused by the congestion of individuals/households in the cities. Such situation is often characterized by an increased vulnerability to negative externalities, both natural and man-made, sub-par living conditions, and the lack of access to basic resources. Cemeteries and other kinds of informal settlements in general, are manifestations of poverty; this study looks at the situation present in cemeteries which house the poor. Three areas in Metro Manila were used as a case study in this research: Bagbag Cemetery in Quezon City, Tugatog Cemetery in Malabon City, and the North Cemetery in Manila City. Variables regarding basic social services and basic needs, ranging from empowering, survival, and security needs, were used as indicators for this study, and their perceptions of their situation were also taken into account in order to make light of the situations these cemetery dwellers are currently living in. The issue on poverty, as it is, is not just an economic or monetary problem, it is a multi-dimensional one. Because of this, in observing the cases of people experiencing poverty and in formulating policies and programs with regards to this, should be tackled at all the sides of the spectrum. The government, as the primary institution and the paramount agency that provides services to the public, should serve as the machine to improve the quality of life and also the living conditions which are being experienced by these informal settlers.