Bagong Silang in Caloocan City is the biggest barangay in the Philippines. It is composed of different phases, from Phase 1 to Phase 12. We chose Phase 1 among other phases because it is the most popular phase in Bagong Silang. However, it is popular not just because it is the first phase you see, but because of its minor and major problems that always occur in the place.

The following problems we had observed that occur in Phase 1 Bagong Silang are:

1.) Over population

We have observed that the number of people and the place is not proportion to one another. We have seen people living in the streets because they do not have their own houses and can not afford to rent one.

2.) Improper waste disposal

 

The second problem we have discovered is there is no proper waste disposal in the place. People aren’t aware on how to dispose their own waste properly. This resulted in an unhealthy environment that causes people to acquire different illnesses like dengue, skin asthma, Leptospirosis among others.

3.) Traffic

 

The third problem is the traffic. As you can see in the picture above, traffic is a serious problem in that place. We have experienced every morning, that we consume an hour just to go to school because of the heavy traffic caused by illegal parking in the main road, lack of traffic enforcers, congested roads, and people who walks in the main road rather than the designated place to walk. This resulted in for us to  leave our home early than the usual.

4.) Infrastructure

The fourth problem that we have noticed is the infrastracture. We have seen that the roads in Phase 1 is not in a good condition and this may cause accidents if not given attention and not resolved immediately. As you can see on the photos above, roads that vehicles always used were damaged and needs to be repaired.

5.) Illegal Vendors

The next problem we have observed is there are many street vendors. They are considered illegal because they use the public road or street as their place to sell different things. They do not have their own legal place where they can continue their work. They also cause heavy traffic in the place because they consume half of the road that public and private vehicles use.

6.) Flood

The next problem is flood. Phase 1 in Bagong Silang experienced flooding when there are heavy rainfalls. It is because the river that can be found there overflows when there are heavy rainfalls. It is difficult for vehicles to cross that bridge and people are stranded when there is flood. This is cause by improper waste disposal of the people which makes the canals and the river clogged and full of garbage.

7.) Unemployment Rate

The last problem we have known is the unemployment rate in the place. Many people there are jobless or unemployed. Because of this it also cause different problems, it causes some people to do crimes, increase of population, the increase of bystanders in the place, pollution, and many more.

1. Overall, these are the problems that we have observed in Phase 1, Bagong Silang. These problems are very serious. However, it does not mean that there are no possible solutions to these problems. Our group has recommendations about the problems. First, we recommend that people who lives there should have initiative. They should be the one who start to be a responsible member of the community. They should dispose their waste properly and know that it is not right to throw their garbages at rivers, canals, and roads. Second, the Local Government Unit should help them. The LGUs are the one who is responsible for the sake of the people in the community. They should provide jobs and housing for the people there. Third, they should also focus on the infrastracture in the place. They need to repair those roads that are damaged so that we can prevent accidents. Fourth, we recommend that there will be enough traffic enforcers in the place. They are very needed there. It will help reduce the traffic. Next is LGUs should have projects that will help the people there, like seminars that will  help educate people on proper waste disposal and others. Last but not the least, they should have cooperation and unity because if they have it is not impossible for them to overcome these problems.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton