Abstract:
Tondo, Manila, known for its high population and widespread informal settlements,
has historically been a host of several housing projects in the city. However, many have failed
to achieve long-term success due to unsustained government support, profit-driven housing
policies, and off-city resettlement sites that often disrupt the relocatees’ access to work and
social services. In recent years, vertical in-city housing has emerged as a strategy housing
Tondo’s informal settler families (ISFs), most notably through the Tondominium project. By
using a case study approach, the study aims to capture the narratives and lived experiences of
Vitas Katuparan’s ISFs before, during, and after their relocation to Tondominium. Guided by
the Human Security framework, the research aims to provide a holistic and multidisciplinary
analysis of the project’s impacts. Data were collected through 20 individual interviews,
followed by focus group discussions with the beneficiaries. Field observations, as well as key
informant interviews were also conducted with a government representative, community
leaders, the Tondominium administrator, and livelihood center head. Subsequently, thematic
analysis was employed to interpret the findings. The findings reveal various issues in the
relocation process, such as the lack of genuine participatory, non-repressive, and transparent
mechanisms, alongside hasty relocation and uneven aid distribution. Pre-relocation
conditions, inadequate post-relocation support, and ineffective livelihood programs were also
found to exacerbate the vulnerabilities of most families. Moreover, the transition from
informal settlements to a more regulated condominium environment also posed significant
cultural and social adjustments on the beneficiaries. Nonetheless, the relocation of most ISFs
to a single, nearby, and more economically diverse site helped mitigate some of the negative
impacts of resettlement. Remarkably, many beneficiaries expressed overall satisfaction with
the program, citing improved personal and environmental security associated with better
housing conditions—marking a notable shift from past public housing initiatives in Tondo.
Ultimately, the study highlights the importance of continuing in-city high-rise housing
initiatives, conducting thorough pre-relocation assessments of the beneficiaries’ economic
capacities, developing livelihood programs well-suited to their socio-economic realities, and
facilitating consultative processes to ensure more inclusive and effective housing policies.
