ABSTRACT
In Metro Manila, the story of the housing movement is one of the clash of two transformative social forcesa civil society sector empowered by its success in overthrowing a dictator and its newfound political influence, and a set of powerful political and economic actors bent on realizing, and profiting from, the globalization of Metro Manila's economy. Prior to Marcos' ascension to power, the Philippine economy was largely controlled by wealthy rural landowning families who also dominated local politics, and exercised considerable influence on national level economic policy and foreign affairs through representation in the congress. Governments face a paradox in dealing with informal settlements. They must maintain the sanctity of land markets in order to facilitate urban development and maintain the political support of landowners. As a result, community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have often had to confront entrenched local interests that have attempted to thwart civil society participation in government.
