Background and Scope of Interventions

Six children from the Payatas community caught the attention of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when they floated letters turned into paper boats along the Pasig River in the hope that their letters would somehow reach the President. These children were: Jayson Vann Banogon, 10 years old; Christian Custodio, 12 years old; Erwin Dolera, 9 years old; Rachel Manadong, 13 years old; Jomer Pabalan, 10 years old; and Riccadona Sayson, 13 years old.

Following are the President's commitments:

a. Provision of educational assistance to the children from families victimized by the tragedy;
b. Provision of socio-economic or livelihood support to their parents or care-takers;
c. Provision of housing assistance to direct victims (those whose relatives died or were injured or whose properties were destroyed due to the tragedy) and indirect victims (those affected by the demolition); and
d. Helping the affected families in their quest for justice to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents.

Update as of 31 December 2001

a. Provision of educational assistance to the children

Jayson Banogon

Jayson is currently enrolled at St. Vincent's Rolling School, Payatas, Quezon City. He was given a P16,000 scholarship this year, to cover school fees and other expenses, including tuition fees, miscellaneous expenses and daily allowance for baon. The child manifests high academic performance in school, and is a consistent honor student. He also receives financial assistance from a private benefactor amounting to P 3,000/month to cover other educational expenses.

Erwin Dolera

Erwin was originally enrolled at Payatas Elementary School but transferred to St. Vincent Rolling School and been issued scholarship certificate until college by the AMA Group of Companies. He was also given a P16,000 scholarship this year, to cover school fees and other expenses, including tuition fees, miscellaneous expenses and daily allowance for baon. He also receives financial assistance from a private benefactor amounting to P3,000/month to cover other educational expenses.

Jomer Pabalan

Jomer was offered scholarship in AMA Computer School but opted to remain at Payatas Elementary School, which is nearer his residence. He also received a P16,000 scholarship this year, to cover school fees and other expenses, including tuition fees, miscellaneous expenses and daily allowance for baon. He also receives a P3,000 montlly allowance to cover other educational expenses from a private benefactor.

Christian Custodio, Ritchel Manadong, Ricadonna Sayson

The three children received P16,000 each this year to cover school fees and monthly allowance and have been transferred to St. Vincent's School in Q.C. (from Kasiglahan Village and the Lupang Pangako Elementary School in Payatas). They hope to be admitted to Ateneo when they reach college depending on their scholastic performance, moral standing and availability of scholarship.

Provision of educational assistance to other children

A total of 512 other children will be provided educational assistance to be able to pursue their studies. The DSWD, together with concerned POs, is working with the communities in preparing the socio-economic profiles of the children and their families, as well as in setting the criteria for the selection and prioritization of the children for purposes of scholarship grant availment.

The President approved the release of four million pesos (PhP 4,000,000.00) from the President's Social Fund to provide scholarships to the children, at the rate of PhP 10,000/child/year. The DSWD continues to work with the POs in the identification of beneficiaries and has already submitted to Malacañang the working details of the project for the release of the fund.

b. Livelihood grant to the families of the 6 children

The families/guardians of Jayson, Erwin, Jomer, Christian, Ricadonna, and Ritchel were provided P 10,000.00 each for their livelihood projects:

Lola Anacleta, Jayson's grandmother and guardian, is now operating a car accessory business.

Mang Ernesto and Aling Dalmacia (Erwin Dolera's parents) have a piggery project. Part of the P 10,000 grant was used for building the pig pens while the rest of the amount was used to buy piglets.

Mang Dionisio Pabalan's gas stove project is now operational. He can sell assembled gas stove and also accepts repair works.

Aling Edith (Christian's Custodio's mother) opened a sari-sari store beside their house. She also bring goods and other commodities for sale in Montalban where her sibling works for additional income.

Aling Ruth, Ritchel Manadong's mother, put up a water pump installation business since there is no water system yet in the Lupang Pangako area.

Aling Carmen, Ricadonna's grandmother and guardian, also operates a sari-sari store. Part of the P 10,000.00 was alloted for a tri-bike to generate additional income for the family.

Technical assistance is continuously being provided to these families to ensure the viability of their projects.

Provision of livelihood grant to other families

The other affected families are assisted collectively through their respective organizations. A total amount of PhP 1.2 million has been released to 3 peoples' organizations (Php 400,000 per organization) to support the operation of the following livelihood projects:

SAMAHANG TUNAY - Operation of a Credit Cooperative;
SANKAP - Community Center for Waste Shop Management; and
J10PVO - Waste Recycling Center.

Technical Assistance is continuously being provided by DSWD and the Kristong Hari Foundation.

c. Provision of housing assistance

The land- and housing-related problems of the Payatas residents are currently being worked out in coordination with the following agencies:

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC);
Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor (PCUP);
National Housing Authority (NHA); and
The local governments of Rizal Province and Quezon City.

In the meantime, a moratorium on demolition in the Payatas areas is in effect while negotiations are on-going with various stakeholders for the land.

d. Helping the families seek justice for the tragedy

The DSWD has agreed to intercede in behalf of the families and the POs in their campaign for the closure of the Payatas dumpsite. Secretary Soliman is currently awaiting the communication from the group, stating their assessment and recommendations on the issue, as the basis for discussion with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).