Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

University of the City of Manila

Intramuros, Manila

A Home for Every Juan:

A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

by

De Castro, Janica Aira A.

Moises, Junia Mei M.
Ramos, Roselle Marie T.
BS ARCH V-2

A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Abstract
With the rise of poverty and lack of support for informal settlers, it can be recognized that the
solution is to provide proper housing for them. Intramuros is facing a downfall with the
presence of the informal settlers within the walled city, with the line of areas that do not have
plans of aligning their properties to the nature of the Spanish style district. This paper aims to
discuss and manipulate if a housing project can help with the rehabilitation and preservation
of Intramuros as well as help the families of the informal settlers towards economic progress.

Intramuros, a walled city in Manila, which was once Manila itself, the center of life and
history during the Spanish Era, it was the place of residency of the upper-class Filipino
people. Today, it is the district of Manila where in tourists enjoy the romantic nostalgia of the
Spanish era, yet according to an international conservation group it is facing irreplaceable
loss and destruction with the slum community residing within the walls the opportunity for
restoring the area to its former glory is being hindered by 3,000 families informally settling
within the area (Tubeza, 2012).
The rapid urbanization of Manila created a tremendous demand for housing, social services
and secures land tenure. (Llanto, 2007) The increasing army of low-income residents
searching for opportunities are being pushed within Manila however they are priced out of
the housing market. These people, are a large population in Manila, they are the informal
settlers or slums. According to the 2015 census, Manilas population grew up to 1,780,148
million, making it the second populous city in the Philippines. (Philippine Statistics
Authority, 2016) Out of the 12 million in Manila, at estimated, 3 million are those who live
in slums. Due to the rise of poverty and lack of support for informal settlers, it can be
recognized that the solution is to provide proper housing for them.
The unmet housing need rose from 2.4 to 3.6 million housing units between 2000 and 2004.
Public and private sectors have created assistance programmes, shelter programmes and
several projects, many of which went to employed members of pension funds (Ballesteros,
2005). The shortfall is primarily in low-income housing, where the population is able to
match rising land and house construction costs and where the market has been able to provide

A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

affordable and conveniently located housing. The result is, informal housing areas and
squatter settlements have proliferated in urban areas (Llanto, 2005).
A pointed reason for the high proportion of informal dwellings is high- and rapidly rising
urban land prices; lack of access to land is a key impediment to housed building for the urban
poor. Shelter is simply not affordable for the poor. They lack access not only to affordable
housing but to also affordable, serviced lands, shelter financing knowledge and sustainable
subsidies and the means to provide their own shelter.

Statement of the problem

The problem that the researchers want to be solved is the high number of informal settlers in
Manila, specifically in Intramuros, which shows the urban decay and the congestion of the
city.

Objective
To provide the informal settlers a proper community, involving housing and livelihood

Research question
Is a housing project a tool to decongesting Manila and minimizing the informal settling in the
city?
Sub-questions:
1.) In what area specifically in Manila is your target beneficiary of the housing
project?
2.) What agencies can help with the proposed housing projects?
3.) Are there any existing housing projects which can be used as a model or guide for
the proposal?
4.) If there are existing housing projects intended for the informal settlers, why is it
not being resolved yet? Are there any hindrances? If there are, what are they?
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Scope and Limitations

The study will focus on the relationship urban poverty and housing, mainly on how housing
can help ease out urban poverty in Manila. Due to the limited time allotted for the study, the
researchers will solely focus on a specific place in Manila to narrow down the study to its
local situation and to solve mainly the problem of the housing projects, its programming,
executions, overhead and maintenance cycles.

Students Interest
The researchers have chosen the housing sector as their topic for their research. Housing for
them brings the most impact to an individual compared to other sectors since a house is
where they come from at the start of the day and it is where they end their day. The
researchers are aiming to design more than a decent house for the informal settlers, rather a
home where they can start a fresh and grow themselves, a suitable environment for these
people where they can be united and help one another is better than the slums. Everyone
deserves a home that they can relax and enjoy.

Intramuros: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Intramuros means within the walls. It was discovered by Rajah Sulayman, a datu of the
Pre-Hispanic Era. Once held the Muslim community, it was developed into a walled city by
the Spaniards in 1521. Completed in 1606, it served to be the center of political, military and
religious power of the Spaniards when the Philippines was a colony of Spain. Inside
Intramuros; there are several Roman Catholic churches, like the Manila Cathedral and the
San Agustin Church, convents and church-run schools, such as the Universidad de Santo
Toms, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, which were
usually being run by religious orders such as the Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans and
Jesuits. The Governor's Palace, the official residence of the Spanish Viceroyalties to the
Philippines, was originally in Intramuros before it was officially moved to Malacaang
Palace and Fort Santiago. Only Spaniards and Mestizos were allowed to take part on political
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

issues and take residence inside the walled city. Christian natives and Chinese were also
allowed inside, but Spanish officials prevented them living there. The vast majority of the
natives and Chinese residents lived outside the walled city or the Extramuros.
Intramuros kept on flourishing and continued being a prime city, not until the Second World
War, when the walls were destroyed by the Japaneses bombings and only the San Agustin
Church survived. After the Second World War, a large number of war victims built houses
around Intramuros and Tondo Foreshoreland, which were reserved spaces for the expansion
of the Manila Port. (Philippine Human Rights and Information Center, 2014)
In the 1980s, under the direction of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, the
Intramuros Administration (IA) renovates the city and at present the walled city is the only
district of Manila where old Spanish-era influences were retained. Much of the development
of present-day Manila occurred outside the gates of Intramuros, leaving the old walls, streets
and churches of Intramuros minimally touched by modernization. (Philippine Country, 2006)
An ongoing rehabilitation program for the walled city is funded by the Tourism Infrastructure
and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza). "Tercera" a phase of the Intramuros Rehabilitation
Program will focus on the informal settlers of the area. On top of its P34-million budget this
year, IA was given an additional P410 million mainly to support relocation efforts for these
families. IA chief Marco Sardillo said he had begun talks with institutional partners to ensure
that his successors in IA would continue this part of the rehab program. (Philippine Daily
Inquirer, 2016)
According to Boo Chanco, the problem with Intramuros is that most of the land isnt really
government owned as many assume. There are many small landowners, some absentee, who
dont have plans for their properties that could be in line with the areas heritage nature. It
was a long time ago when then Mayor Villegas managed a large scale demolition of squatter
shanties in the Intramuros area. There was a time when it was not even safe to walk there
because gang wars happened all the time with deadly steel projectiles fired from slingshots
(pana) and those who have larger cuts of property are using it for warehouses and other
activities that dont help preserve the area as the countrys premier heritage community. Yet,
developing Intramuros the way the Malaysians developed Malacca had always been our
dream. After all, Intramuros is larger and prettier than Malacca. But we need to fix it (The
Philippine Star, 2016).
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Visions for the Future

Subdivision & Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA), in cooperation with Center for
Research and Communications (University of Asia and the Pacific), conducted a research and
analysis regarding the future in the industry of housing. In their study, they have laid out the
factors needed to address housing need: financing program, need, production, affordability
and policy framework. They have also shown a chart of what might be the case through the
years. The housing backlog as of May 2012 reached 1.3 million of total housing needs and
might grow up to 12 million in the 2030 (Subdivision & Housing Developers Association,
Inc., 2015).

Table 1 Assessment of Housing Need (Statistical Research and Training Center, SRTC;
HUDCC; SHDA, 2015)

A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Table 2 an analysis
of Housing Demand
and

Supply

from

year 2001-2011 by
SDHA (2015)

With the results, SDHA came up with a vision. Their vision states that: Every Filipino
family has the right to live with dignity in the comfort of ones own home regardless of
economic status. They envision to provide homes for the people in need and to eliminate the
housing backlog before 2030 with the help of the government and other agencies. As for their
calculations, 345,941 units of houses per year are needed in order to eliminate the backlog. If
this issue is ignored, it is projected that it will reach up to 6 million housing backlog by the
year 2030.

Table 3 New
Housing Need
2012-2030
(SDHA, 2015)

A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Table 4 Estimated Backlog by 2030 (SDHA, 2015)

Figure 1 Framework of Roles of Agencies (SDHA, 2015)

A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

It is important for to address this issue since its effects are visible. In order for these visions
to be successful, there is a need to help other and fight this problem. The backlog study is
helpful to the researchers study because it will help them understand the current situation on
the housing projects and programs that the government and other agencies are planning,
moreover how they are plan to solve issues about the situation. Based on the previous study
shown, many things are needed to be worked out especially the production of houses.

Housing Policies and Actors in the Philippines

The earliest method of solving the issues with squatters was simply to evict them and relocate
them to resettlement sites. The resettlement was problematic as the sites often lacked basic
facilities and infrastructure and the distance to their workplace grew. During the Marcos
years the first programs for on-site development took place. Slum upgrading has the benefit
that people dont have to move to new areas. But the government was criticized for failing to
benefit the poorest of the poor.
During Aquino the government adapted the United Nations Global Shelter Strategy (GSS
2000) with the standing point that shelter needs to be affordable even for the lowest income
group. The Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council (HUDCC) was
established to synchronize the housing efforts. Focus shifted to socialized housing (described
on page 21) and a number of adjustments was made on how to address the housing problem,
including beneficiary participation and the involvement of NGOs. (Rebullida, Endriga, 1999)
Relocations are still used when the site is clearly unsuitable or if it is not possible to acquire
legal rights to it. But other solutions such as re-blocking and slum upgrading are being used,
where the squatters acquire the legal rights to stay where they are and the necessary
adjustments are made to provide descent infrastructure and shelter.
The HUDCC is according to their website the highest policy making body for housing and
coordinate the activities of the government housing agencies to ensure the accomplishment of
the National Shelter Program. It is coordinating the efforts of 4 shelter agencies, 3 funding
agencies, 7 government support agencies and 2 private sector representatives from NGOs and
private developers. (www.hudcc.gov.ph)
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Figure 2 A Schematic view of agencies involved in

housing to poor in the Philippines.

The figure shows a part of the total organization in

a schematic way and the agencies are briefly
explained below.

1. HGC (Home Guaranty Corporation

Provides risk coverage for home financing

2. HLURB Housing and Land Use Regulation Board

Deals with issues of land use, zoning and subdivision of plots

3. NHMFC National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation

The major government mortgage institution

4. NHA National Housing Authority

5. Pag-IBIG The Home Development Mutual Fund

Another funding agency

6. SHFC Social Housing Finance Corporation

Subsidiary home mortgage agency

According to Statistical Indicators on Philippine Development of 2006 the governmental

housing sector has produced mixed results. The number of shelter security units produced has
declined since 2004 as has the value of shelter security units constructed, financed and/or
administered by the government. It is worth mentioning that licenses issued for residential
units have been above the target for each year. Also the number of days required for
processing loan applications has been reduced by half from 2004 to 2006, from 30 days to 15,
which indicates that the process of acquiring improved housing has become smoother.
(www.nscb.gov.ph, 2008)

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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Methodology
This study is both a qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative, in terms of how to
approach the problem through understanding factors that are needed to be considered and
how to deal with those factors, while quantitative on the other hand, because the researchers
need to know the number of people that will be the beneficiaries of the study. Demographics
are also important to know who and in what age group does the community comprises to.
The researchers will have three major phases for gathering of data. First, they will consult the
chief organization, Intramuros Administration (IA), about plans and details for the Tercera
Housing Project. Secondly, they will gather data from different sectors or agencies related to
housing. The researchers will also consult them for their provisions and designs, if the
agencies have proposed model ready for the project. Lastly, the researchers will get data from
the target community themselves regarding the housing project for them. The data will be
gathered through surveys and interviews. The additional or supporting data, like literature
review, will be gathered through books, articles, journals and past dissertations relevant to the
problem.
These data will be analyzed through two phases: Architectural Programming and Design
Phase. Architectural Programming involves preliminary designs which are understanding the
site, user and spaces needed for the project and also the design concepts while Design Phase
involves the final product of the analysis. It is where final plans are presented and ready for
building.

Validations
Considering the ceaseless factors contributing poverty on Manila, this study intends to
humbly provide a considerable solution to somehow alleviate if not to completely eradicate
or eliminate not just poverty but also attain peace and orderliness, cleanliness, health, and
quality education and moral values on the lives of Filipino family (which is the basic social
group) living in the city of Manila by providing them shelter in a habitable community.
Moreover, this will serve as a reference to the soon researchers for further studies as it
provide recommendations regarding urban poor housing.
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Thesis Chapter Outline

Chapter I Introduction
a. Brief history of Intramuros
b. Explanation of the chosen topic
c. Stating the problems encountered
d. What are the goals and objectives?
e. What is the significance of this study? Who will benefit from it?

Chapter II - Review of Related Literature and Structures

a. Expand the ideas from the proposal and add more relevant to the study

Chapter III - Methodology

a. Explanation of methods used
b. Sample questionnaire or survey (if any)
c. Diagrams/Charts (if needed)

Chapter IV Design Analysis/Design Synthesis

a. Architectural Programming
b. Justification of ideas
c. Drawing Plates
d. Justification of Designs

Chapter V Conclusion and Recommendation

a. How did the design help to solve the problem?
b. Did this study accomplish the goals? How?
c. Is the proposal feasible?

Bibliography
a. References/sources

Appendix
a. Attachments of important documents or data contributing to the study

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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Research Timeline:
The researchers are given ten (10) months for the research, divided into two phases: the
Design Analysis and Design Synthesis. The timeline for the Design Analysis is coordinated
to:
July 1, 2016

Thesis Proposal submission

Title defense

August 5, 2016

Chapter I (Introduction) submission

August 19, 2016

Chapter II(Review of Related Literature) submission

August 31, 2016

Chapter III (Methodology) submission

September 9, 2016

Chapter IV (Architectural Programming) submission

September 16, 2016

Bibliography checking

September 21, 2016

Preliminary checking (Chapters I-IV)

September 26- 30, 2016

Chapters I-IV defense

October 3-8, 2016

Remedial Period

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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Bibliography
Asian Development Bank. (2003). Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board
of Directiors on Proposed Loan and Technical Assistance Grant to the Development
Bank of the Philippines in the Republic of the Philippines for the Development of
Poor Urban Communities. Asian Development Bank.
Ballesteros, M. (2005). Rethinking institutional re-forms in the Philippine Housing Sector.
Makati City: Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
Chanco, B. (2016, May 20). The "squatters" of Intramuros. The Philippine Star.
Galuzka, J. (2014). Community-based approaches to settlement upgrading: Philippines. Big
ACCA Projects in Metro Manila, Philippines, 276-295.
Karaos, S. Y. (2004). Establishing the role of communities in governance: the experience of
the Homeless People's Federation Philippines. The Experience of the Homeless
People's Federation Philippines, 107-110.
Llanto, G. M. (2007). Environment & Urbanization. Shelter finance strategies for the poor:
Philippines, 409-423.
Mornhed, M. G. (2006, May). From Slum to Adequate Homes. A Study on the Housing
Solutions for the Urban Poor in Manila Philippines. Helsingbord, Sweden: LTH
School of Engineering, Lund University.
Philippine Country. (2006). Intramuros Manila Philippines: "Within the Wall Enclosure of
the

City".

Retrieved

from

Philippine

Country:

http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_tourist_spot/intramuros.html
Philippine Human Rights Information Center. (2014, September 06). From 'Squatters' to
'Informal Settlers'. Manila, Philippines.
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2016, May 19). Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015
Census of Population. Retrieved June 23, 2016, from Republic of the Philippines:
Philippine Statistics Authority: https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/highlights-philippinepopulation-2015-census-population
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A Home for Every Juan: A Proposed Housing for the Slums of Intramuros

Ragragio, J. M. (2003). The Case of Metro Manila, Philippines. Retrieved June 23, 2016,
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