More than thirty-four (34) families were displaced after a fire broke out in Block 1, Gasangan in the port community of Baseco, Tondo last October 13.
Julia Barquin alongside her family are among the victims of the fire incident.
Three families share in the two-storey house of Barquin. According to her, their house is made up of corrugated tins and salvaged planks which makes it easy for the fire to quickly spread amid strong winds. She added that the fire only began at the back of their house.
While fire incidents have been a common narrative among urban poor communities, especially in Baseco given the history of people’s resistance amid housing issues, this situation still hounds several families coming from underserved to dirt-poor sectors.
Barquin noted their situation in Gasangan following the threats of demolition and eviction notices, more so when the construction of in-city horizontal public housing Basecommunity was established.
Basecommunity is one of the six housing projects of former Manila city mayor Isko Moreno accomplished in July 2021. The community has 229 two-storey with 42 square-meter housing units. Accordingly, the units were availed by 229 families most of whom were the fire incident victims that gutted the area in February 2020 with a monthly rental fee of P2,000.
But Barquin noted that most families in Baseco could barely afford the housing units given the measly income they get from garlic peeling, scavenging or street selling.
On the other hand, several parts of the Basecommunity especially in Gasangan also endure constant flooding due to the ongoing reclamation and dredging activities in Manila Bay.
“Mahirap talagang masunugan laluna para sa mga katulad naming naninirahan sa Baseco. Ngayon pa nga lang na nagpapatuloy ang banta nitong reklamasyon. Kapag nagtuloy-tuloy iyan ay magpapalayas na naman sila. Wala namang paglilipatan, kung meron man eh mahal. Di abot-kaya para sa mga mahihirap,” said Barquin.
[It’s really hard with our houses burned down, especially for people like us who live in Baseco. Even now with the continuing threat of reclamation continues, displacement would be inevitable. No relocation is ever provided, if there is one, it’s expensive. Us poor people could not afford such]
Currently, Barquin’s family stays in the Baseco Evacuation Center beside the Amadome, a gymnasium court transformed as a shelter for urban poor settlers. Baquin noted that the occupants were among those who have also been victims of tragedies like fires or typhoons.
Accordingly, the Manila LGU provided them with their daily meals as well as modular tents.
Gabriela NCR launched a donation campaign for immediate needs:
- Canned goods
- Rice
- Bottled Water
- Hygiene Kits
- Medicine
- Blanket
For monetary and in-kind donations:
Gcash #: 09473272860
Acc name: Julia Barquin
Drop-off: Baseco Evacuation, Port Area Manila
Contact Person: Julia Barquin
Contact #: 09473272860
