The Filipina Mom in Denmark

Today is the 1st Monday of October month is the World’ Habitat Day which was designated by United Nation to be celebrated every year.

According to the United Nations, more than 100 million people in the world today are homeless. Millions more face a severe housing problem living without adequate sanitation, with irregular or no electricity supply and without adequate security.

And this year’s theme is Planning our Urban Future which I think is very timely. I will focus about the Philippines and the urban problems and where I lived in the metropolis Manila or Metro Manila.
As of January 2009 the population is estimated as of July 2008 is 96.2 millions. I spent 17 years of my life in the Metro Manila which is composed of 16 cities and 1 municipality. There a 11 million people living in the metropolis and it is one of the megacities in world.

The government estimates that between 2005 and 2010, the country needs some 3.8 million new homes, with demand concentrated in Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon. In Metro Manila, more than 126,000 families live in the slums, particularly on low-lying floodplains, precarious slopes, exposed riverbanks and within highly toxic zones close to highways and railroads, along waterways, near transmission lines, as well as at airports, dumps, markets and other areas that are unfit for settlement.

Floods brought by Typhoon Ketsana in Metro Manila

But as of today the number of skyrocketed because of the recent typhoons that hit the Philippines just in a matter of a week 2 typhoons left thousand homeless and damage livelihood and claimed hundreds of  lives. Just the recent typhoon Ketsana locally know as Ondoy which according to the latest update by NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating council) left 288 dead and some still missing, 797, 404 families were affected. Just in Metro Manila alone there are 145,776 families who were affected and probably lost their homes.  The Habitat for Humanity Philippines is not only building home for the homeless but they actively helping the typhoon victims in Metro Manila where they actively working with Philippine Red Cross in addressing sanitation facilities in the evacuation areas.

I personally like the idea of Habitat for Humanity because as a Filipino where we helping each other is deeply rooted in our culture which we call it it “Bayanihan” or as google translated it to collaboration. Why will I support the habitat because they don’t provide free housing but provide pride and dignity to marginalized sector of the society who can’t afford any decent shelters. By making them a partner they will do the labor by building their own home and other homes of the community thus reducing the cost of the construction.But I think the most important part it they will be taught to be socially responsible that is becoming a part of the community and by paying their mortgages regularly becoming financially responsible thus providing their family with children with comfortable and better future.But in order for them to help break the poverty cycle we need to support and donate to the Habitat for Humanity.

What can we do to World Habitat Day?

ADVOCATE- EDUCATE-DONATE

Advocate- We can actively involve in asking or lobbying to the politicians in your area to prioritize Housing bills. Pass the legislation that would prioritize adequate and affordable housing.
EDUCATE your community with Habitat for Humanity’s World Habitat Day handbook to learn more about the importance of secure tenure and neighborhood revitalization.  Get even more information about the issue of insecure tenure by reading Habitat’s Shelter Report: building a secure future through effective land policies.

Brainstorm ways to get more people involved. Learn from the successes of last year’s campaign, and come up with brand-new ways to celebrate and publicize the important work of Habitat for Link to Habitat for Humanity’s World Habitat Day 2009 resources page on your social media pages, personal web site or blog to spread the word and raise awareness.

DONATE to be a part of making the world a better place and support Habitat’s efforts. Donate online today!