Jun Alfred Torres OLPS

College theology 3 Msgr. Gerardo Santos

Part 1 situation of urban poor in Cavite

Cavite is one of the biggest province in region IV-A and in the Philippines in terms of land
measurement and population. Its population continuously grow as the province commercialize and
continue to open business and job opportunities. In fact, as of the year 2015, Cavite is the largest
province in the Philippines in terms of population. It is the home of 3,678,000 (approx.) people. In
line with this growth, the province still has poor families and barangays even in the cities and
urban areas which are also known as the “urban poor”. The areas which has the most of these urban
poor are: Bacoor, Dasmariñas resettlement areas, Rosario, Noveleta and GMA. This poverty
causes the lack of sustenance of food and water, energy supply, land or property and medical
assistance to different parts of the province.

Figure 1.1

Showing that Cavite has the highest population rate among the provinces with more that 1M
population

In terms
of political
aspect, Cavite
among those
provinces which
has political
dynasty. For instance, in Dasmariñas, Barzaga’s are known to be political leaders both in the
position of mayor and congressman; in Imus, the Maliksi’s; in Tanza, the Arayata’s, in Silang, the
Poblete’s, in Gen. Trias, the Ferrer’s and in Bacoor, the Revilla’s. Political dynasty is a family in
which several members are involved in politics, particularly electoral politics. Members may be
related by blood or marriage; often several generations or multiple siblings may be involved.1 The
advantage of political dynasty is that it gives an opportunity to produce good political leaders
because this political-leader figure exposes the family to the world of politics which serves as a
training ground for others to be good political servants. On the other hand, it surely has
disadvantages. Political dynasty closes or denies the opportunity for others to be leaders and so it
denies other type of leadership and tactics that may improve a municipality or city. The 1987
Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26, "The State shall guarantee equal
access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by
law." It is already written in the constitution of the Philippines that political dynasty is prohibited
so it is considered a shadow.

Agriculture is the science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, producing
crops, and feeding, breeding and raising livestock (dictionary.com); and these were among the
agricultural activities that the farm workers in Cavite had been actively involved with.
Furthermore, fishery is also another major component of the agricultural sector wherein the
province is home to numerous fishery activities providing livelihood to many Caviteños and food
production source, as well. Aside from the coastal areas, there are also other lowland and upland
municipalities and cities that have minimal areas devoted to fresh water fishponds. Downward
trend in agricultural areas were noted from years 2012 to 2015. In 2012, it was reported at
71,590.71 hectares while in 2013, the area was posted at 65,603.88 hectares. Compared to 2014’s
agricultural area of 64,296.10 hectares, it decreased by 2,043.41 hectares or 3.18% in 2015, which
totaled to 62,252.69 hectares. It is only about 43.62% of the total land area of the province.
Generally, the decrease was attributed, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to
the conversion of these lands to residential/ subdivision development and industrial areas, other
areas are categorized as forest and Network of Protected Areas and Agro-Industrial Development
(NPAAD) and there are areas that are no longer cultivated and were used for other purposes.2

The culture in Cavite is diverse and rich. The different municipalities and cities celebrate
different festivals which sprung between couple of decades and years ago. These festivals are:

1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_family
2
A statement of Good governance, Cavite socio-economic and physical profile, page 107
Regada Festival, Maytinis Festival, Tinapa Festival, Bakood Festival, Marching Band Festival,
Tahong Festival, Kakanindayog Festival, Wagayway Festival, Paru-paro Festival, Sorteo Festival,
Silang Prutas Festival, Sumilang Festival, Pahimis Festival, Valenciana Festival, and Sanghiyang
Festival. Cavite is also known as the cradle of different devotions. Among these are Caracol, a
devotional dance in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. A Two-Sunday celebration of
the feast of La Virgen de La Soledad de Porta Vaga or Our Lady of Solitude which is visited by
many devotees from Cavite and the different provinces in the Philippines; and different other
devotions.

Caviteños are known as courageous (matapang), maangas and palaban. This may be the
result of its historical background which tells the story of different encounters, wars, and important
happenings in the history happened in Cavite which are led by Caviteños. But the people in Cavite
is not always the same as before it was entered by so many people from other provinces. The values
of Caviteños before are hardly seen today. Only those who are “taal na Caviteños” can enumerate
these values. Other than these values, Caviteños are also very generous and hospitable. Since it
has upland and lowland areas, the province is not much populated in rural places which are mostly
located in upland. Because of this, there are still these places which one can call “purely Cavite”
which resemble the values of Bayanihan and Malasakitan.

The provincial government of Cavite produced a statement of good governance which

shows the progress of the province through its different contributors such as economic, cultural,
industrial, tourism and any other aspects. It also includes the benefits of the citizens from infants
to elderly and even death benefits. In addition, it also shows different systems in the different
offices of the municipality or city, waste management, disposal and recovery facilities and the
different programs of the barangays. Overall, one can say that Cavite is a progressive province in
different aspects but it also has shadows or defects when it comes to governance and resolving of
the issues the province is facing.

Part 2 10 myths of urban poor

10 Myths of the Poor

1. Kaunti lang daw ang mahihirap

 Lights: some says that the poor are only few because there are lots of cars and executive
villages in the Philippines. If that so, the Philippines must not worry that much about the
lack of shelter, educational and medical assistance and food and water resource.
Shadows: we tend to disregard the poor when we say that they are only few because we
set our minds to the fact that it is easy to help the few.
2. Tamad ang mahihirap kaya hindi sila umaasenso

Lights: this motivates the poor to prove that they are not lazy

Shadows: construction workers, factory workers, toilet cleaners and blue collar workers
are among the urban poor which prove that they are not lazy

3. Pabigat sila sa ekonomiya

Lights: most of the small workers in big companies are from the urban poor

Shadows: they are the cause of inflation

4. Sila’y criminal
Shadows: because of poverty, they commit crimes
5. Mga probinsyano
Lights: they are hardworking and madiskarte sa buhay
Shadows: they risk their future seeking good jobs in the metro
6. Mga magnanakaw sila
Shadows: they want to possess what others possess because of their family
7. Kabilang sa sindikato
Shadows: they tend to agree to join syndicates to have just a little for themselves
8. Mga pogante
Shadows: not all of them are pogantes
9. Pabrika ng mga bata
Lights: more love
Shadows: over population
10. Walang pangarap
Shadows: without dream, there is no perseverance
Part 3 reflections in faith

Love of Preference for the Poor is the most applicable among the principles of the social
doctrines of the church for the poor. This is what I think, the best response of the church to
empower the poor because they feel that they belong to the church. Reaching out to those in greater
need, physically or spiritually is the duty of the church. We are no longer a church that is full of
royalty, majesty and splendor, we are the church of the poor. Being poor is really hard, having
nothing, no one to go to in times of needs and nowhere to build a good home but by the love that
is supposed to be shared by those who are blessed through concrete actions, we can ease the life
of the poor. Prayers are good gifts for them but it is not enough without concrete actions even in a
very simple way. To love the poor entails walking in their shoes and living in their life or in other
words, being poor. To make the poor as the preference for the option does not include the rich
people. In the first place this “poor” pertains the afflicted, sorrowing, sick and elderly which are
also among the rich.
To choose to walk to the path of simplicity is also to empathize with the poor. To love them
with a love that is deeply rooted in Christ is what makes us one in the church. Being poor is not
bad. Christ Himself was simple. He did not possess properties or money but He is so rich in
spirituality and love for the poor. I want to be Christ. I want to love the poor first and foremost
with a love that comes from the Father.