Waterworld

A small village in Malabon is called the “Venice of the Philippines” because it lies in the lowest areas of the most flood-prone district in the country. During heavy showers, a large portion of Artex Compound is easily submerged in deep water.

Rising sea levels, improper garbage disposal, poor urban planning, and the increase of informal settlers are said to be the major causes of flooding in the area.

The compound used to house a textile factory which housed its employees. When laborers held a strike to ask for a pay raise, the factory closed shop leaving many employees with unpaid wages. As a way to protest, the former employees decided to stay despite the compound’s bad condition. Many of the original workers have already passed away without receiving their pay, and their children and grandchildren are the ones continuing the fight.

The area was already prone to floods during the rainy season, but would eventually dry out, sometimes 4 months out of the year. Less than a decade ago, community festivals, basketball games and concerts were still held on dry land in their plaza. Now, one can only see the ruins of their church, a basketball ring, and first floor houses submerged in water.

Houses have no front yard. Most families cram into one or two rooms or have made makeshift rooms on top of their roofs. Many houses have no bathrooms and sewage is deposited into the waters from where some of the people still catch fish.

Most residents have no regular jobs and lead doubly difficult lives coping with poverty and floods. Women and children make money driving boats, while others take on odd jobs like washing clothes or driving bicycles with sidecars in nearby areas.

About 200 families still live in the Compound because they have nowhere else to go. In the meantime, the water continues to rise.