The Philippines Homeless People's Federation (PHPFI) is a national network of 161 urban poor community associations and savings groups with more than 70,000 individual members. It represents communities and their savings groups from 18 cities and 15 municipalities. Members promote community savings for building their own financial capacities, and for community development and social cohesion. The Federation and its community associations are engaged in a wide range of initiatives to secure land tenure, to build or improve homes and to increase economic opportunity. The Federation works with low-income communities residing in areas at high risk from disasters, assisting in reducing risks or where needed in voluntary resettlement and in community-driven post-disaster reconstruction.

The Federation was launched as a network of urban poor savings associations in 1998. It has evolved from a microfinance-based framework to a federation of savings and loan groups that cater for daily needs, to a self-help network of low-income associations that uses savings to address their needs for secure tenure, housing, basic services and livelihoods. The groups that form the federation collect their savings and implement their own community upgrading. They are supported by Local Area Resource Centres that also keep records and manage savings and loans. These in turn are coordinated through regional offices that provide local groups with technical support. The National office supports the regional offices and coordinates work of national scope such as surveying high-risk and disaster-affected communities, supporting federation learning activities and community exchanges, policy advocacy and guidance on monitoring. Community leaders manage all levels.

I. One of the differences between the efforts of the government agencies in securing lots for the poor and the homeless and the efforts of HPFPI is people empowerment.

Those staying in the relocation sites in Panaon complain about the lack of livelihood in the area. They go back to their previous places, as their livelihoods are there, despite the risk of experiencing another disaster. One of residents said that it is the government who chose the relocation site for them. They did not consider their real needs, their skills and capacities. That is why they go hungry in the relocation site. Of course the relocation is due out of emergency unlike those organized by HPFPI, but what if communities where better prepared?

In HPFPI, the agency only assists the community in assessing land for ownership. The agency, first of all, organizes a community and provides them with technical assistance in terms of funding, saving, legal procedures and even livelihood. The role of the agency is only assistance. It is the people themselves who chose the land. It is the people themselves who purchase the land. In doing these things themselves, they have the sense of ownership. In having this sense of ownership due to their own efforts they are able to secure the land and find ways for livelihood.

II. Those areas that are disaster prone must at least have a disaster warning system.

In Barangay Mamali, Mati, the entire barangay is prone to disaster. There have been landslide incidents in the past that have damage the elementary school and several houses. Residents recount how big boulders roll down the hill and damage the houses. Yet, most of them continue to stay, as they are either fisherfolk or farmers.

The barangay council must develop a disaster warning system. When the rain is continuous for three consecutive days, the committee warns the residents of the possible danger. Evacuation sites in safer places are already prepared. When the actual landslide or debris flow occurs, the person-in-charge sounds the alarm (bell, emergency sound or any other device) so people know what to do.

III. In securing land, environmental assessment is primary.

It is very important that assessment of the environment is done before planning for the purchase of the land. In Nalumville, Davao City, the community has started securing the land title. However, based on the survey done by ESSC, it is observed that the entire community is nestled in a riverbed of 3 creeks that are thought to be forks of a main river upstream. There are also big boulders in the area.

If there has been an environmental assessment conducted, the community could have made a more secure decision.

IV. Technical Assistance like trainings in para-legal procedures, savings, socio-economic survey and organization will empower and give voice of the poor, the homeless and victims of disasters.

Community leaders of HPFP understand and speak technical terms of law, accounting and socio-economic concepts. They know what they speak. They take pride in this knowledge. For them, they know that those in power because of their poverty cannot put them down; they cannot be fooled anymore. They know their rights. Technical assistance can empower the poor. Agencies should more and more try this approach of people empowerment and shift from the dole-out system.

Ro Atilano, SJ Summer Apostolate, ESSC, May 16, 2009