Occupying Hope: Kadamay's Housing Saga in Pandi

Ma. Jane Lyn B. Cartagina, Jerica O. Cobarrubias, & Althea Bellatrix F. Ileto

December 17, 2023

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) is a prominent left-wing urban poor group in the Philippines that advocates for the rights of the poor and homeless. The group made headlines when they started to occupy the housing projects in Pandi, Bulacan back in 2013.

The houses were originally intended for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police personnel. The Kadamay illegally occupied around 6,000 social housing units built by the National Housing Authority (NHA).

It was during the Duterte Administration, when the NHA addressed the issue by legalizing the occupancy of housing lots in Pandi and the former president persuaded the soldiers to drop their claims on the houses to prevent violence.

At first, the Kadamay had a hard time adjusting to their new environment. Gradually they have become accustomed to the place and their presence has become louder, helping the town to prosper.

Although the legalization of their stay in the housing projects have mostly been positive to the people, there are still some bumps along the way. For instance, the Pandieños did not easily accept them and the several incidents where the Kadamay illegally sells their units without due process.

Impact of the Free Housing

The impact of the free housing to Kadamay has diverse stories and experiences. This includes both positive and negative aspects, as seen in the journeys of two members working towards having their own homes.

Nanay Rose, a former leader of Kadamay, has lived in Villa Luis, Pandi for eight years. Before joining Kadamay, she used to live beside the river, under a bridge and then rented a house in Sta. Maria. Until a member of Kadamay approached her and asked if she wanted a free house. 

The offer was so tempting for her, as she only needed to sign a form and she will have the house. Even if the place was abandoned and looked like a jungle at first. Nanay Rose clung to that hope and prayed that she would have a better life.

Nanay Rose explaining how was her life in Pandi

“Yung tumatak yung nagkaroon ng bahay. Nung una mahirap, kasi nilaban ko ito bahay na ito, kasi gusto ko magkabahay…” she added.

At first, she faced challenges meeting new people, but everything changed after she got her house. Through the Kadamay she got to meet new faces, including having connections with influential individuals in her situation.

“Sa loob ng 8 years, awardee na kami, hindi na namin hinangad ng yung entrypass. Kasi yung entrypass yung gusto pumasok sa pabahay pero kami awardee ang hawak ko. Ngayon na katibayan na binigay na ito sa akin. May binabayaran kami 300 plus pero hindi naman kailangan kaagad agaran magbayad kasi mahirap ang buhay.” she said.

She now works as an on-call massage therapist and owns a dainty sari-sari store in front of the house granted to her. Nanay Rose’s story brings a lighter side of the story.

While Kuya Tata, also residing in Villa Luis for eight years, had a stable life in Laguna. He worked as a truck driver, owned property and rented out seven vehicles (padyak). He only worried about floods in Laguna, since they lived near the Laguna de Bay.

“Taga-Laguna kami, may bahay at lupa kami doon. Dati nakapag pundar ako ng pitong padyak. Truck driver ako dati, kumilita ako kada araw 700 plus parang 1200 sa padyak hindi pa kasama doon yung pag-drive ko ng 10 wheeler para sa isang company…” he said.

He was also tempted by the proposition of free housing and reluctantly accepted Kadamay's offer. Unfortunately, he faced consequences. Being wrongly accused of opposing the government, leading to him losing his job and the company accused him of being Absence Without Official Leave (AWOL) so he could not fight back. 

Kuya Tata did not want to repay his company with a lawsuit, so he just kept quiet. Not wanting to make the issue much larger.

Kuya Tata telling the story of how he lost his job after his company learned that he is a member of Kadamay

“Tumahimik nalang ako kasi yung company na yun sobrang laki tulong sa akin noon. Sila ang nagturo sa akin paano mag-drive. Nakakahiya naman kung ganon isusukli ko sa lahat ng natulong nila sa akin. Naiintindihan ko naman sila...” he added

His story takes a much darker path on the narrative. He explained that at first he regretted everything. Giving up his stable life in Laguna to the offer of free housing in Bulacan.

Despite the difficulties adjusting to their life in Villa Luis, both Nanay Rose and Kuya Tata miss their previous lives. That even if they are struggling, they are peaceful.

As members of the Kadamay they are aware of their rights for the houses they fought for. They know the policies provided by the NHA in order to maintain their ownership.

Legal Aspects

The same could not be said to the tenant of one of the houses, Aling Mercy, who has lived there for 2 years. She has little knowledge about the legal aspects of the unit she lives in, especially if the owner already has a title.

Aling Mercy is renting her house and had only talked with the owner. There was no legal nor physical contract involved at all, they only spoke about the arrangement of her rent verbally.

“Nasa ibang bansa na po may-ari nito, dahil wala naman tatao kaya pinapaupahan nalang…” said Aling Mercy.

According to the NHA, before a Kadamay member can legally own the house, there is a due process that they have to follow. The old members that occupied the house earlier in 2017 are given a certificate that allows them to live on the said property, while still paying the rent they agreed upon.

Every month the Kadamay members have to pay 200-300 pesos and they have to do that for 30 years in order to pay the amount of the place they occupy.

NHA Community Support Service Operator Israel Santos briefly explained how the Kadamay members can own the title of the house they occupy. He summarized the details and due process that they have to follow if they want to pass, return, or sell the house unit.

NHA Community Support Service Operator Israel Santos explaining the legal aspects of the free housing project

“Sa title kasi may naka-indicate doon syempre na pwedeng ipamana sa first child or sa kamag-anak pero yung benta, sanla, o upa/renta hindi ina-allowed. But the NHA allows na once fully paid na yung bahay/unit kapag nakuha na yung titulo, bahala na sila kung ano gusto gawin, kahit ano gusto nilang gawin kasi inalalaakad na yun sa land registration or registration of needs. Pero hindi pinapayagan kasi may annotation kasi may kontrata na bawal na itransfer sa ibang tao.” Santos explained.

Some of the Kadamay members know this while others do not, others however still have the courage to sell and let others rent their house. 

Similar to Kuya Tata's situation, Kevin Palermo, a member of Kadamay and formerly living in Villa Luis, is also struggling to find decent employment that would be enough for his daily needs. Ultimately driving him to the difficult decision of selling their homes as a last resort, and moving back to his province in Mindoro.

Nanay Rose added that the common possible reason that they sell their house is that they need the money. What they are doing is still illegal, in fact, Nanay Rose added that she knows that around 100 houses will be reclaimed by the NHA.

Local Government Programs

Prior to the problem that was faced by the Kadamay members. In coordination between the NHA and the Local Housing Office of Pandi, together they launched a People's Caravan. 

It aims to amplify their needs by giving a job opportunity to every member of the resettlement area in Pandi. The event is composed of different government organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), such as SSS, Peso Pandi, MENRO Pandi, etc. They aim to create an impactful idea for the Kadamay on how they can utilize them in getting a better life.

Local Housing Authority Officer in Charge Evelyn Bucar pointing out the different livelihood programs for the Kadamay in Pandi

Local Housing Authority Officer in Charge Evelyn Bucar said, “Itong people pag-asa (People’s Caravan) project ng NHA sa lahat na resettlement, yun mga trabaho na inooffer ng ibat-ibang sector...” 

Despite the programs made by the government of Pandi, some Kadamay members felt that it was still not enough.

Kuya Tata vocalized his opinion about it [pertaining to the people’s caravan] “Oo, merong mga ganyang programa. Lalo na yung sa TESDA pero madalas sa Guiguinto pa kami pinapapunta. Wala naman akong pamasahe papunta doon tapos baon ko pa. Alangan naman na makipag-agawan pa ako ng baon sa anak ko, mamamasada na lang ako.”

Not all of the Kadamay members are able to provide the requirements needed to apply for a job, like Kuya Tata. He revealed that many people were not willing to hire him because of his organization. Not only that but his potential employers are looking for a TESDA or ALS certificate in order to employ him, but he said he can not provide that.

“Wala naman nababanggit na willing ang munisipyo na mag-provide ng kahit parang shuttle para lang makapunta kami doon [TESDA Guiguinto]...”

The programs provided by the local government of Pandi to the Kadamay reflect a commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. But it is still not enough to change their lives.

Pandieños’ Perspective

The arrival of the Kadamay in 2014 to 2017, caused an uproar among the legitimate Pandieños.

“Wala na tayong ibang magagawa, nandyan na sila eh. Yakapin na lang natin sila...” It was a statement that came from Mayor Rico Roque in Pandi during the People’s Caravan.

The OIC of the Local Housing Office agreed upon it, recognizing the positive transformative influence of Kadamay, asserting that each relocation holds the promise of hope and prosperity. 

She also added, “Una yung mga taga-Pandi hindi sanay sa magulo, pero nasanay naman sabi nga ng Mayor Rico. Sa pagdating ng tao ay pag-asenso ng isang bayan. Yakapin, tanggapin at i-share ang mga knowledge dito sa mga taga-Pandi...”

Despite the loud objections that came from the legitimate Pandieños, the Kadamay members still chose Pandi as their settlement. 

According to Nanay Rose, “Kaya pinili namin ang Pandi kasi nandito ang mga pabahay na pinabayaan ng gobyerno, at tyaka pinili namin ang Pandi kasi hindi malayo sa mga trabaho sa Maynila o kung saan…”

Mayor Roque claims that the Kadamay members bring a positive impact to Pandi, portraying the town as a promising destination for businessmen who invest in the area. Despite the challenges, they emerge as a "Promise in Town" for those entrepreneurs who choose to establish their businesses in Pandi.

Fostering an inclusive community in Pandi transcends mere growth; it becomes the bedrock of a thriving town where the synergy between individuals propels both residents of Pandi and the Kadamay toward outstanding success. The acceptance of the Pandieños towards the group not only nurtures a profound sense of belonging but also stands as an unequivocal testament that embracing differences is the unstoppable force behind the town’s resounding prosperity.