The slum is the oasis

by Renee Cuisia and Mikko Ringia

Surrounded by a number of high-rise buildings that include a mall, a science high school, various government offices and located at the heart of a developing business district, it is easy to turn a blind eye over informal settler areas — especially one whose residents unite to protect their community.

Since 2009, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has been relocating thousands of informal settlers in Sitio San Roque. Through a joint venture agreement with Ayala Land Inc., the government-owned land, which has long been occupied by the urban poor, is to be replaced by commercial establishments like condominiums, restaurants and other business establishments..

Though the efforts of the North Triangle Relocation and Resettlement Project (NTRRP) have yet to be completed, Vertis North already officially replaced the name Sitio San Roque. In maps, the sitio is nowhere to be found.

But within the community, despite drastic population decrease since relocation efforts began, livelihood thrives as settlers regain hope. In fact, it is this simple practical human necessity that compels the residents to resist relocation.

“Sa dalawampu’t limang taon ko [magtrabaho], nakakaraos naman kaming mga vendor,” San Roque Vendors Association (SRVA) head Ricky Indicio said.

According to Indicio, there are more than 200 vendors in the sitio. Next to “labanderas” or clothes washers, vendors are the most common livelihood tracks in the community followed by “karinderyas” or food stall owners.

While the average vendor in the sitio earns around P300 a day, Indicio meekly admitted earning P700 — a lot more than the usual vendor, but most of it goes to the electricity, water and taking care of his family of eight. His earnings, he said, are just enough to keep his family afloat.

Just before the sun rises, Indicio and many other vendors head to Balintawak Market where they haggle their way through the goods they’ll be offering their neighbors, which ranges from fish meat to rice. In Indicio’s case, he comes home with plastic bags bursting with colors — bananas, carrots, string beans, pechay, corn.

The rest of the morning is spent teaching younger family members the trick of the trade and of course bargaining with his customers, which come from all over. Aside from Barangay Pag-asa residents, Barangays Vasra, Pinyahan and Madrigal members stop by the stall when they can.

During the afternoon, Indicio heads to what residents call the “community radio” which is actually a voice amplifier and speakers. Here Indicio makes organization and community announcements.

According to Indicio, these small activities may not seem like much, but they contribute to the grind of a community. “Laking pasalamat kaya ng taga-ibang barangay sa mga gulay na to!” Indicio said with a smile.

“Kung wala kaya kaming pobre wala din naman kayong mayayaman…sino gagawa ng kalsada, ng building? Sino maghahatid ng pagkain?” he added, somber this time.

In 2010, Indicio’s small enterprise faced its darkest phase yet. As the number of relocated families increased, customers also decreased.

“Dumating sa punto na 5:00 pm na wala pa ring nakakabii sa’min,” said Indicio. Even then, Indicio was steadfast about not leaving his home. “Mabuti na sila manggiba kaysa ako ang umalis,” he said.

But whether it is Indicio’s family who relocates or the rest of the sitio, he believed it does not matter. “Yung pangre-relocate talaga nakasira ng negosyo namin,” said Indicio.

The NTRRP is part of the Quezon City Central Business District (QC-BD), a local government initiative to develop Quezon City into a business hub similar to Makati City or Bonifacio Global City.

“Lantad na naman na mas pinapahalagaan ng gobyerno ang malalaking korporasyon sa aming maliliit na vendors,” Indicio said. “Kung tutuusin, sukli nalang hinihingi ng mamayan. Dapat serbisyo,” he adds.

If it happens that his home is demolished and his family displaced, Indicio considers moving to Balintawak where they can put up their own stall and continue to sell. “Pero ayoko muna isipin yun. Mahirap kung nandito na buhay mo at pangkubayan mo, mahirap iwanan,” he said.