Barrio Escopa: a Summative Evaluation of a Pilot Housing Project in the Philippines.

Abstract

This study is a summative evaluation of a pilot housing project which tested an integrated approach to the improvement of the Barrio Escopa squatter settlement in Metro Manila, Philippines. The study investigates attitudinal as well as physical changes regarding the site, l and scaping and housing that occurred in the demonstration area. Implementation activities of the pilot project ended in March 1980 and evaluation studies commenced in May 1982. A 50% r and om sample was drawn from each the two target populations identified, the pilot area residents as direct participants in the project, and the non-pilot residents of Escopa as the observers of the demonstration. The longitudinal portion of the study used data gathered earlier and in 1982. The earlier data consisted of a 1975 census survey, a 1978 pre-project sample survey, and a 1980 final status survey. Data for 1982 consisted of unobtrusive observations of the physical conditions of the target areas, and interview questionnaires administered to female spouses of household heads, that attempted to determine satisfactions and opinions regarding the pilot project. The study revealed that the Barrio Escopa pilot project: has successfully demonstrated an integrated approach to improve the site, the housing, and the l and scaped environment of the community; has evoked high citizens' participation through transactive planning; has generated some positive attitudinal and physical changes in the surrounding community; is a viable improvement program that meshes with the economic means of the residents; has revived faith in their government's concern for them, resulting in sustained community participation. Positive impact of the project observed in 1980 had become even greater by 1982. In the Barrio Escopa demonstration project, the key variable was the resolution of l and tenure, followed by the maintenance of linkages between the upgraded community and the local authorities, thereby ensuring continued progress. This enabled the integration of the community into the mainstream of national development.