ORNUS

At five in the evening, we visited the ORNUS (Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad), an organization focused on helping the urban poor. We had to embark four flights of dark steep stairs to get to. Beyond those stairs, a small room was situated in one corner. It is in this room that the ORNUS community humbly holds their meetings.

ORNUS consists of sub-groups such as the youth organization, transport organization and women organization. The aim of ORNUS is to provide support to the urban poor for many of these individuals have been marginalised by the government. Within a short hour, ORNUS explained their role in Baguio City and addressed the serious issues concerning the urban poor which left us very stunned.

Many members of the ORNUS contributed to the talk about their struggles in Baguio City. They explained the current situation of urban men, women and children who have been desperately trying to make a basic living in Baguio City.

As we all know, the local people of Baguio City depend heavily on jeepneys as their main mode of transport. In January, jeepney drivers could earn 200 pesos per day. Although this figure may seem insufficient, after the 15 ^th oil price increment this year, they are now earning a staggering daily income of only 80 pesos per day. In addition, if they are caught by any officials to be breaking any road laws, they could be fined a minimum of 150 pesos.

One of the objectives of ORNUS is to solve the root problem by suggesting that the government should nationalize its oil industry. The government should take control over its natural oil resources in order to benefit both the public and the jeepney drivers.

Available jobs for construction workers in Baguio are seasonal. Women construction workers opt to work as side-walk vendors during the low peak seasons in order to contribute to the family income. The side-walk vendors sell an assortment of basic goods such as vegetables, fruits, newspapers, cigarettes and etc.

The government views the side-walk vendors as illegal. Therefore, the government imposes a 1000 pesos fine and confiscation of both goods and equipment of the vendors. This creates a larger hurdle for the urban poor to survive in Baguio City. The children of side-walk vendors are equally exposed to dangers and ill-treatments.

The people who are forced to live in squatters are deprived from water supply and public health services. The Philippines constitution acknowledges the social problems of the poor by giving them the right to shelter and relocation after having their houses demolished. However, in reality that is not the case. Thus, these people are forced to return to their province of origin. Meanwhile the land which they were residing before it was destroyed is sold to interested buyers at a rate of 2500 sq meters; which is unaffordable to them.

After listening to an hour of intense talk, it was difficult to imagine living in these conditions. However we are grateful to be educated about the urban poor, as it was something that many of us may have taken for granted. ORNUS ended the session with a simple and touching song which they composed. Remnants of their song lingered in our hearts as we climbed our way back up the stairs.

By Susan and Mindy

For more photos on Day 2, head over here.