Poverty in the Philippines led to really strange article in the Philippines press today. Just when I think I’ve become accustom` to the Filipino culture something new arises and causes me to shake my head. Then I move toward accepting it as part of the way of life in the Philippines. I think accepting the Filipino way is essential to fully enjoy living in the Philippines
The mayor of Cebu has made changes to the way garbage collection is done. The land fill the city has been using has been overfilled for a long time.
Poverty In the Philippines
To relieve this, the city is gearing up the recycle of the cities waste. Sounds like a great idea. Food and other biodegradable waste will be used to make compost bins for fertilizer. Other items, like used cans and jars will be sold to recyclers.
The landfill will be used solely for residential waste that cannot be recycled. Garbage trucks have already been refused entry into landfill that didn’t properly segregate the items as directed by the city. Sounds like a great idea to me. But wait, there is a problem!
This may be having an negative impact on those caught in the grip of poverty in the Philippines.
Poverty In The Philippines
It seems the 600 or so people that scavange in the landfill or “smokey mountain” as it is often referred to by Filipino will loose the meager earnings they gleam from the waste of others.
If you haven’t already seen these two post I made about poverty in the Philippines, you should really check out this link: ”Poverty In The Philippines” as it is a sad eye opener about the poverty in the Philippines.
I don’t know how much help these folks will get from authorities and it would be out of line for me to suggest they should. The city clearly has to do something and this makes a lot of sense to me. Maybe some nongovernmental organizations (NGO) can move in to fill any void that it creates.
There are programs in the Philippines designed to reduce the poverty in the Philippines. There is one that gives money to extremely poor families that keep their children in school. An NGO is also involved in this program.
Does This Change Increase Poverty In the Philippines?
You know, it doesn’t make sense that it would increase poverty in the Philippines. In fact, it would make sense that this would create more jobs. People will be needed too further sort the waste collected and to tend to the compost bins. Also people will be needed to service the customers that buy the recycle waste.
Of course, that’s not going to help the poor Filipino that makes a few pesos a day from their hard work they perform in the landfill. Perhaps there will still be enough items for them to secure some funds. Sadly, if you watched those videos in the two post above you’ll already know that poverty in the Philippines leads many to eat what is in the trash dumps.
It also makes me want to slap those foreigners around that say Filipino are lazy. Lazy? Six hundred people work that one landfill. They work in the hot blazing sun in oppressive humidity for a few peso. Filipino are not lazy! Many Filipino seem give up due to a loss of hope. This despair is brought about by the extreme poverty in the Philippines.
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Tagged with: Filipino • Filipino Culture • Foreigners • Poverty in The Philippines
Filed under: Living In The Philippines • Poverty In The Philippines
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Rusty..This is a sad thing to hear about and hope that maybe the people who did their work to survive in the landfill could be offered the jobs that will be made by this change. As we know its all over in this world and yet there never can be enough talk on it till something changes within the system . Talking on it does let others know..thanks Rusty for bringing this to attention.
Not a bad idea but I don’t think that they will be offered jobs. Most of them are kids, they need to be going to school but poverty begets poverty. To get a job with the city, you probably have to know someone.
So much need here.
It just took me aback a bit when I saw that a semi closure of a landfill could decrease the income of so many.
Thank you for caring to write this. I, too, has so little to share to help but this writing makes me feel not alone in feeling the helplessness of helping our little brothers and sisters. Thank you, it encourages me somehow not to give up wanting to make a difference. And yes, I shared this post on my Facebook!
Your welcome, I think we all can give a child five peso or do like Jessie. She has been known to carry a “biscuit” with her for that purpose.
I have defintly thought about living in PI and if I were to take that path I would want to help those kids. I thought about the possiblity of finding a church nearby a smokey mountain and seed if I could get voulenteers to help me feed them and make sure they go to school. I would be willing to spend my own money to feed them, but I need to better secure my own future a bit better than it is now so that is vialble. My plan would be to start off small with just 1 day a week and feed only minors (children) in the begining but I am sure after awhile I could find other who could help and we could grow. But now that I read your post I think maybe I can just find a good NGO to join or help me in these efforts. Thanks for the inspiration.