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Special Feature:
TAO-Pilipinas:
Women who make a difference
“It
is time for us to go to the people rather than ask the people, especially
the poor, to come to us.”
The
young people of today often dream of driving their own sedan and
dressed in corporate attire on their way to work in an office located
in a towering skyscraper, then sipping a cup of coffee or going
to city nightspots with friends after office, and spending the weekend
doing something extravagant or extreme such as surfboarding or skydiving.
The people, or should we say WOMEN, of Technical Assistance Organization
(TAO) Pilipinas, a women-led, non-stock, non-profit, non-government
organization that provides technical assistance to urban and rural
poor communities in the planning, development, and management of
their settlements, is one big exception.
Founded
in 2001, TAO-Pilipinas is a group of young and dynamic women architects,
engineers and planners whose clients are not those that pay millions
of pesos for a project, rather their clients are people who come
from the poor and unprivileged communities. Their initiatives are
classified into projects on community, research and capability building,
and programs on human settlements and environment, education and
training, research and publications and a volunteer program for
young professionals. They also have a periodically released publication,
the TAO Shelter magazine.
The
technical assistance they extend includes designing houses, research
on alternative building technologies, and making community masterplans
for slum dwellers who receive housing grants or subsidies from the
government or NGOs. They also provide assistance on technical documentation
for loan purposes, conduct community training on community association
management including community-based solid waste and disaster risk
management, and feasibility studies on what type of houses or infrastructure
is specifically needed and appropriate for a community. One such
study they have conducted is for the SANAGMANA community organization
in Navotas where the location of the resettlement site rests on
a former fishpond and can only be reached by a bamboo bridge or
by riding a banca. Their study showed that it would be more cost
effective to build the houses on stilts with provisions for perrenial
flooding than on ground.
Among
the community organizations that are currently being assisted by
TAO-Pilipinas in the planning and development of their community
are SANAGMANA (Federation of the United Urban Poor of Navotas) in
Tanza, Navotas, DSOP (Dike-Side Organization of Punta) in Sta. Ana,
Manila, SAPSPA (Association for the Appropriate Housing of San Pablo
Apostol) in Tondo, Manila, DAMPA – DVNA (Brotherhood of the Urban
Poor – Dumpsite View Neighborhood Association), Kabisig HOA (Entwined
Arms Home Owners Association) and Happy Family Neighborhood Association
(HFNA) in Payatas, Quezon City, and St. Hannibal Christian Community
(SHACC) in Pasay City.
In
2003 the Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP),
through their publication “Enhancing Shelter Provision at the
Local Level”, cited TAO-Pilipinas as one of the civil society
groups who have made significant contributions to the housing sector
in the Philippines. And in 2006, they received the First International
Year of Shelter for the Homeless Encouragement Prize from the Japan
Housing Association in recognition and support of their efforts
in helping the poor.
The
workforce of TAO-Pilipinas is headed by its Executive Director,
Arch./En.P. Arlene Christy D. Lusterio. The NGO’s
program coordinators are: Arch./En.P. Maria Faith Y. Varona,
(Coordinator for Research and Publications; SURP DURP 2003),
Arch. Gertrudes Samson (Coordinator for Human
Settlements and the Environment), Arch./En.P. Geraldine
R. Matabang (Coordinator for Young Professionals Program;
SURP MAURP 2005), and Arch./En.P. Beryl F. Baybay (Coordinator
for Education and Training; SURP MAURP Candidate). The rest
of the technical staff are Arch. Maria Edraline B. Belga,
Engr. Rosalyn Frances O. Marcelo (SURP MAURP
Candidate), Arch. Amillah S. Rodil (SURP
MAURP Candidate), and Arch. Angelus Maria P. Sales.
Administrative support and marketing of projects to potential donors
are done by Ms. Anita M. Salvan and Ms.
Zenaida R. Perdigon.
The
Board of Directors of TAO-Pilipinas is composed of Dr. Laura
T. David (President), Dr. Eloisa M. Pilapil
(Vice President; SURP PhD
URP 2004), Ms. Ma. Victoria S. Ilagan (Secretary),
Ms. Ana Marie O. Dizon (Treasurer), Ms.
Herminia R. Caringal (Member), and Arch.
Eleanor C. Ramos (Member).
For more information on TAO-Pilipinas, you may log on to their website
at www.tao-pilipinas.org.
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