Slums in the Philippines

According to the World Bank, almost 43% of the urban population live in the slums. In Manila alone, an estimated 4 million people live in shantytowns dispersed among some 526 communities.

Each family has their personal story of what led them to the slum, but financial difficulties are often at the heart of each narrative. Historically, many have left their rural birthplace to move to an urban centre in the hope of ending their chronic poverty and finding a job. The movement from rural to metropolitan areas is not singular to the Philippines, but a number of interlinked factors are responsible for the high number of squatters in the country. The dynamism and modernization of the country’s economy did not increase work opportunities evenly throughout its entire territory; low-skill services jobs are often located in urban areas. People are thus moving attracted by employment opportunities.

The capital’s population growth demonstrates the urbanization and mass movement of population toward cities; Manila is the fastest growing city globally. For comparison, Manila grows by 60 new people an hour, while London only sees 7 newcomers per hour. This incredible growth is coupled with the government’s inability to offer viable housing, thus leaving the poorer strata with no other solution but to live in makeshift accommodations.

The unemployment figures sum up the situation: most dwellers are not jobless but rather have occupations that do not permit them to offer families a conventional housing solution. Indeed, according to the World Bank, in 2016 urban unemployment rate was 6%, but 30% of wage workers made less than two-thirds of the country’s median wage. Conflicts and displacement have also historically pushed Filipinos to move to urban areas. Climate is yet another reason given by squatters arguing that typhoons and floods are more frequent in rural areas. Whatever the reason may be sparking their decision to move once they arrive in the city unable to afford a decent place to live, they join the shantytown, the only place where they can settle and put a roof, albeit a simple iron sheet, on their head.

Children are numerous to live in the slums. UNICEF estimated that at least 1.7 million children live in the Metro Manila slums alone. Most children are housed with their families. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon to see street children homeless – they maintain limited to no contact with their families. Children in the slums not only have to deal with precarious living conditions; their vulnerability exposes them to particular adversities: forced labour, violence, drug abuse, gangs, trafficking, and exploitation are often part of their daily lives.

Many children engage in child labour to survive or help their families. Frequently, children work to supplement their meagre household incomes. On average, the poorest households have more than twice as many children as their wealthiest counterparts (5.2 versus 1.9 children per woman according to the National demographic and Health report carried out in 2008). The scarce family resources are insufficient to sustain all of its members, obliging many young ones to work. Street children, counting solely on themselves for their subsistence, are also forced to work. Child labour comes in various forms, from filling jeepneys (local buses) to hazardous work during which children are exposed to potentially harmful chemicals or tools. It also includes dangerous and illegal activities such as prostitution.

Children are subjected to trafficking and sex work. Unfortunately, the country is notorious for its child sex industry, and its children are victims of this sprawling criminal activity. Poverty is fuelling such exploitation, causing slum children to disproportionally become victims. Left to their own devices, street children are prime victims of traffickers preying on their vulnerability. Moreover, children whose parents seek to supplement their income are also involved against their will in such criminal activities. The UNICEF published a scathing report identifying the country as a “global epicentre of live-stream sexual abuse trade”. The agency illustrated the extent and gravity of the issue with the case of a mother who forced her own child to hold pedo-pornographic online “shows”. She was also offering hungry children food, shelter and 150 pesos (£2,03) in exchange for their involvement in her “shows.” Parents were also bringing their children.

Education is neither a priority nor widely available to children in such precarious conditions. Due to the informal nature of slums, public and social services such as health or education are scarce. When lucky enough to be in school, many are forced to drop out and find work. Indeed, families’ income are simply insufficient to pay for an education. A UCL study showed that the bulk of the family’s small income is dedicated to food. With limited resources, after covering their basic needs, they have little money left for education, on average 12£ per month per family. Even when they are able to overcome the many barriers they face to receive an education, their living conditions are highly incompatible with a successful education. The UNICEF considers access to water and food as a sine qua non condition for proper concentration and success in school. Academics add that disadvantaged students are predisposed to more emotional and social disorders, which also affect their abilities to focus in class. Unsurprisingly, the education gap between the poor and wealthier populations is striking. More than 30% of the poor population’s highest level of education is limited to some elementary schools. Almost none will graduate college whereas almost 30% of the non-poor hold a college degree.