“I’ve experienced the hardships of living in evacuation centers. I’m just waiting for the floodwaters to recede so I can rebuild and elevate my house. I don’t want to go back to the evacuation center anymore,” said 48-year-old Jennifer Chiriguena, a resident of Aplaya, Pulong Silangan in Brgy. Poblacion, Muntinlupa City
On November 5 last year, Manila Today visited the Poblacion Evacuation Center (PEC) where Jennifer was also an evacuee.
Jennifer had gone into several evacuation centers, from Muntinlupa Elementary School (MES) to the actual evacuation center in PEC, to seek temporary shelter.
However, just before November ended, Jennifer said that the evacuees were forcibly evicted due to the several planned developments of the facilities in PEC.
Although unprepared, Jennifer and her family chose to return to their flood-stricken home in Aplaya.
“It’s hard to sleep, hard to get along, and the employees don’t treat us well. They act like they own the evacuation center, shooing us away as if we don’t pay taxes,” Jennifer added.
Life in Aplaya’s flood-prone community
Before reaching Jennifer’s house in Aplaya, one must cross makeshift bridges that were collectively built by residents using scrap wood and metal as temporary pathways due to the persistent floodwaters in the community. From the entrance of Jason Homeowners, these makeshift bridges branch out into various narrow alleys in Aplaya.
More than 500 families live in Aplaya, a community where homes are built close to the coastal shoreline of Laguna Lake.
The murky floodwater is a mixture of black sludge and garbage that greets visitors. Evidently, the floodwater is directly connected to the Laguna Lake.
“The water rose during Christmas. It had gone before, but now it’s back. Even the road at the entrance, which used to be dry, is now flooded again,” Jennifer shared.
Not far from her home is the house of Myrna Dela Concepcion, who was also an evacuee at PEC. From Myrna’s house, one had to cross a bridge made from a coconut trunk spanning the creek to the shore of Laguna Lake. Now, the creek has overflowed, and the water has reached the homes of residents in Aplaya.
Myrna’s house remains partly uninhabitable, with its ground floor submerged in floodwaters.
Jennifer has lived in Aplaya for at least 33 years since 1991. She shared that they have experienced their home being washed out several times due to strong typhoons and rains from the southwest monsoon’s fury (Habagat). Despite these setbacks, they have always managed to rebuild their house in the community using the meager savings they earn from side hustles.
Jennifer works in a catering service, while her mother, now 73 years old, works as a house helper in Brgy. Tunasan.
Reflecting on her work in catering, Jennifer shared a saying: “Kapag malapit ka kasi sa kawali, lagi kang nakasandok,” or “When you’re close to the pot, you’re always holding the ladle,”
For her, this resonates deeply with the politics she observes, especially when it comes to government aid and support programs.
“It’s always about connections,” Jennifer explained. “Those who are ‘close to the pot’—the powerful or well-connected—are the first to benefit, while people like us, who really need the help, are often left waiting or completely overlooked,”
Being close to the pot
Regarding connections, aside from her side hustles, Jennifer also works as an office staff member for a councilor in Muntinlupa City. With this job, she earns PHP 5,000 every payday which comes bi-monthly.
Having been a government employee, Jennifer tried to apply for socialized housing programs under the Building Adequate Livable Affordable and Inclusive (BALAI) Filipino Communities program in Muntinlupa called the Balai Munti Housing Project. The said project, led by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), is a national government program in the Philippines that aims to improve housing services for Filipino citizens.
Balai Munti is composed of 35 four-story medium-rise buildings with 668 housing units and 115 parking spaces. The minimum floor area per unit is 30 square meters, amounting to P750,000.
Mayor Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon said in an interview with Manila Today that the Balai Munti is intended for the employees and officials of the city government.
However, in Jennifer’s case, despite being a government employee, she was denied housing in Balai Munti.
“I am employed as a government worker, but only under a councilor. I asked our secretary, and they said the assistance is selective,” Jennifer lamented.
According to her, priority is given to those employees working in the Mayor’s Office, not those under the council as part of the Sanggunian.
Under Section 6 of Muntinlupa Ordinance 2021-205 notes the beneficiaries of compliance projects, particularly in Balai Munti:
“Regardless of the mode of compliance to be utilized, priority and preferential treatment shall be given to the underprivileged and homeless constituents of the City of Muntinlupa, as may be determined by the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO), in the selection of the beneficiaries and/or buyers of compliance projects implemented under this Ordinance.”
But Jennifer was already denied, let alone considering her dire living conditions. She also claimed that only selected staff members are being prioritized, adding that nothing would happen if they did not involve themselves in their ‘connections’.
“If you don’t speak up, no one will complain, and no one will notice you. They should come here themselves and see our condition,” Jennifer said.
In October last year, Jennifer received aid under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) due to their situation following the recent calamity. However, according to her, only about 15 families in Aplaya—a community of roughly 500 families—received this assistance.
This year, the budget allocation for AKAP is at PHP 26 billion. The Marcos Jr. administration, however, placed the AKAP funding under a so-called “conditional implementation” to ensure that these are utilized for authorized and stated purposes.
Many human rights groups have been pointing out that AKAP acts as a pork barrel scheme, especially in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections, given the unclear guidelines of screening processes.
“It’s just frustrating. What’s the point of it all? They say the housing is for government workers, but we can’t avail of it. How can they say we’re not eligible when you claim it’s for government employees? That should include everyone! Sometimes, they don’t explain things properly and would only boast about it as if it’s only a PR (public release) stunt,” Jennifer added
Meanwhile, Mayor Biazon said the Balai Munti II project is underway. Jennifer, however, remains hopeful and assured that she will submit the necessary requirements to apply for it again.
Muntinlupa’s housing efforts: success or struggle?
Mayor Biazon also told Manila Today regarding locally initiated housing efforts in Muntinlupa, highlighting a small-scale initiative tailored to urban poor communities through a “monitored savings program”.
In this program, residents are encouraged to save money as a community.
“We encourage them as a community to save up so when a property becomes available, they can make an initial down payment or at least negotiate with the owner. If they can do this, we can also offer counterpart funding,” Mayor Biazon explained.
He also went on by sharing a success story, where a community managed to save PHP 10 million for a property worth PHP 20 million. The savings were monitored through a bank account, with regular contributions overseen by the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO) to ensure that funds were used appropriately.
On the other hand, Mayor Biazon shared about the implementation of 4PH or the Pilipino Housing Program in Muntinlupa. 4PH is the flagship housing program by the Marcos Jr. administration and the National Housing Authority (NHA) aimed at addressing the country’s housing backlog at around 6.5 million for informal settler families and low-income earners across the country.
The rental rates for housing under the 4PH program can vary based on the specific type of housing—be it socialized, low-cost, or middle-income housing—and the location of the development. However, the program aims to offer affordable rental rates to low-income families.
For example, the rent for socialized housing units typically ranges from PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000 per month, depending on the project and the household’s income. It must be noted that these are subsidized rates.
However, for residents like Jennifer, the 4PH housing options still remain unaffordable.
“We can’t afford it. That’s why we don’t rent—it’s too expensive. We could manage if the housing was affordable,” Jennifer said.
Muntinlupa’s shoreline vision amid housing, infrastructure challenges
Mayor Biazon also shared the ongoing efforts and projected plans for the development of Muntinlupa’s shoreline communities in Laguna Lake which focuses on the long-term vision of creating sustainable economic opportunities, improving access, and ensuring the safety of residents.
One of the key priorities for Muntinlupa is addressing the persistent issue of human settlement along the lakeshore he referred to as a “danger zone”. This includes the community in Aplaya.
Despite the risks, Mayor Biazon envisions transforming the area into a hub for ecotourism and economic activity to maximize the land’s potential for economic productivity.
Eight out of the nine barangays in Muntinlupa are situated along the Laguna lakeshore, each with a tailored development plan. The mayor detailed several thematic plans for specific areas:
- Sucat is envisioned as a transportation hub, specifically for a ferry system, to facilitate easier connectivity between the lakeshore and the rest of the city.
- Alabang, similarly, will focus on enhancing its transportation infrastructure, complementing its position as a commercial and residential center.
- Bayanan will house a fish port to support the local fishing industry, contributing to both livelihood and tourism.
- Recreational areas for water sports, lakeside restaurants, and commercial spas will create leisure opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, linear parks will provide green spaces along the lakeshore.
- Tunasan is being considered as a future sports hub, expanding the city’s offerings for athletics and community recreation.
“We already know about this. The question is, if they remove us, they should at least give compensation and adequate relocation for us,” Jennifer stressed.
According to her, Mayor Biazon discussed it with them last November when they were in the evacuation center, promising that the local government would fix things and provide housing. But when asked about an update or a follow-up, they were not given any assurances.
“They didn’t give any details, just that they’ll address it,” she added.
The city mayor also noted several challenges they are facing upon implementing these plans, including the dependence on the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). The LLDA, as per its charter, holds jurisdiction over the shorelands of Laguna Lake. This means that Muntinlupa cannot proceed with certain developments without their approval.
Mayor Biazon expressed concerns about the outdated nature of the LLDA’s charter, which he believes needs to be updated to align with the current local governance laws. He pointed out that the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code now grant local government units (LGUs) greater autonomy, and that the Fisheries Code gives LGUs authority over municipal waters.
Despite this legal conflict, Mayor Biazon and his administration continue to work with the LLDA by submitting development plans for their review and approval.
The city mayor also proposed a parallel road along the shoreline to provide an alternative route due to right-of-way (ROW) issues brought about by the North-South Commuter Railway Project (NSCRP).
“At first, we were only expecting an upgrade to the railway, but now they say it will be elevated,” Mayor Biazon said.
The proposed elevation of the NSCRP could cut off access to certain communities. For instance, Brgy. Cupang, which is located between barangays Buli and Alabang, already struggles with limited access to service roads and connectivity to major routes like the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
“Another purpose of putting in a road is that it serves as a barrier to prevent settlements from being established, which, in terms of urban poor communities, is really problematic. So, if we can prioritize building the road first, it would be much better, so that development can follow after,” Mayor Biazon added.
Given the Muntinlupa government’s vision for infrastructure and economic development, residents like Jennifer remain cautious and concerned about their future amid the looming threat of displacement.
“If Mayor Biazon truly wants to help, he should heed our demands. Don’t wash us out without a plan,” Jennifer asserted.
