Over 500,000 urban poor families live in Metro Manila, enduring natural hazards, such as tropical cyclones, floods, earthquakes, volcanic ashfalls, and extreme heat. These families live below the poverty line and often reside in slums and informal settlements. While there is extensive literature on how urban poor families are affected by disasters, limited attention has been given to how climate justice is constructed and advocated within their communities. This paper seeks to explore how urban poor families understand climate change and investigate the ways in which they can sustainably mitigate its adverse impacts. This study employs the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA), a metatheoretical framework that actively engages subaltern communities in identifying issues and co-constructing solutions grounded in their cultural contexts and lived experiences. Data were collected from five urban poor families in Manila through focus group discussions. Findings indicate that families associate kahandaan (preparedness) with resilient and affordable housing, which they view as essential for surviving potential climate-related disasters. In contrast, they critique the ayuda (relief) system as a temporary and superficial measure that fails to address the deeper structural vulnerabilities underpinning patronage politics. From their perspective, climate justice can only be achieved through the provision of sustainable livelihoods, education, and healthcare, delivered with minimal bureaucratic impediments and grounded in Filipino cultural and familial values. Additionally, they emphasize the need for improved pakikipag-ugnayan (coordination) between local governments and the urban poor—creating opportunities for pakikipagkasundo (negotiation) and pakikilahok (participation).

Authors:
George Vincent Gamayo, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mr George Vincent Gamayo is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Philippines

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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