MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES — “Squatter”, is the term to describe people who settle in abandoned or unoccupied areas that are usually residential, and that the squatter does not own, rent, or have permission to use. The flimsy, handmade shanties in these slum communities are typically located at the edge of major cities.
However, in many of the poorer countries, squatters are becoming an increasing problem as more and more gravitate to urban centers – near riverbanks, under bridges, along the railroad tracks, and behind economic and exclusive residential zones. According to many in the Philippines, squatting is a huge social and economic problem. Taxpayers are tired of shouldering relocation and housing project expenses by people they claim to be “lazy” or “professional squatters”.
Now, it’s incorrect to label those informal settlers as victims, but it’s also unfair to simply label them as being lazy as well. Despite criticisms, squatters in the Philippines make up a majority of the manual labor work force – construction workers, factory workers, drivers, warehouse men, maids or nannies, among many others. And in a way, middle class comfort is essentially built by them. That being said, there are those who prefer the lethargic lifestyle of squatting where they turn to begging or even stealing.
Unfortunately, there is a startling number of young children living in these situations. While the younger ones aren’t too fazed by the position they’re in, the older ones are aware of the discrimination they face in society. Children are told to hide their status as squatters to teachers to avoid any favoritism, or worse, exploitation and expulsion. As for money, they are required to find their own way. Whether through their family business (which is really just a handmade shack or counter illegally selling corner store goods), a part time job in retail, or just begging in the streets – hence the term, “Street Children”. It’s unfortunate, but some children also become involved in criminal activities, becoming subject to violence in extreme cases.
Poverty is a very serious issue in the Philippines, and the disparity between the wealthy and the poor is apparent when you step into the streets of Manila. With such discrimination against squatting, it’s hard to imagine that it’s a lifestyle that they choose for themselves. There are many factors at play here that must be tackled before a workable solution can be carried out. Nonetheless, it’s a pressing issue that must be focused on in the Philippines.