THE ZOTO EXPERIENCE

Historical Background

The Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO) had its early roots from the Council for Tondo Foreshore
Organizing that was organized in 1957 to contend with the problem of mass demolition of squatters. The chairman
of this organization was Resty de Leon with Trinidad Herrera as one of its leading lights. They were the first to use
the strategy of human barricade to stop the mass demolition of squatter shanties at the Tondo foreshore Lines. In
1970, Zone One Tondo Temporary Organization (ZOTTO). A new set of officers were then elected and Trinidad
Herrera was voted ZOTTO’s chairman. Later the group decided to drop the word ‘’Temporary’’ from the name of
their organization. Thus ZOTTO became ZOTO as the members felt that their organization will no longer be
temporary in nature. With the declaration of Martial Law, the group persevered in their community organizing and
their group grew in number since the problems of the squatter families were compounded with the curtailment of the
people’s freedom. The organization was declared to be non-partisan and non-political. Despite this declaration, its
chairman and many of their community organizers were arrested and tortured during the Marcos regime.

Organizational Set-Up

ZOTO is presently composed of a central body whose Executive Board members are elected by the
general membership. It has six chapters in other squatter relocation sites where their former members were relocated
These are in Sapang Palay, Bagong Silang, Bulihan, Dasmarimas, Dagat-dagtan and Tondo. Their former huge
membership had been depleted to about 8,000 since their problems ar former squatters which caused them to
organize had been resolved.

The officers of the Executive Board and its six chapters have the same set of officers which are the Chairman, Vice
Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor and Press Relation Officer. The Executive Board and its chapters have the
following committes.

1. Medical Committee

2. Mutual Aid Committee

3. Economic Advancement Committee

4. Job placement Committee

5. On-going Education Committee

6. Legal Assistance Committee

7. Fund Raising Committee

8. Disaster Committee

9. Peace and Order Committee

10. Nominating Committee

11. Credential Committee

Processes Used for Community Organizing and People Empowerment

The people were organized based on issues conforming them. Their interest were aroused by making them
aware of the issue/problems they were facing which were clarified to their level of understanding through dialogues.

Another significant seminar which the ZOTO members attended was a technical seminar on planning extended by
the Project Team of the World Bank which emphasized the following.

1. Need for staging areas before actual relocation.

2. Maximum retention of families and structures in the squatted site

3. Genuine people’s participation in planning and implementation

 4. Upgrading of existing squatter sites and services instead of total relocation

These teachings/suggestions of the World Bank Project Team have since been adopted by the National Housing
Authority.

With their learnings from the different seminars attended, ZOTO came up with the following criteria for a leader.

1. One who is respected, dependable, and willing to fight for their stand and principles and the rights of those
who were wronged.

2. One who is open to the ideas of others including the lowest member who may be unschooled but have
practical ideas to offer.

3. One who does not impose his ideas on the people but discusses said ideas first with them until they are
understood and approved for implementation.

4. One who has the talent to think of remedial measurement and innovative ideas for the benefit of the
majority and is willing to sacrifice for those ideas to work once accepted by the people.

Problems and Needs

While ZOTO was able to accomplish a lot in terms of empowering its members with knowledge on their
rights, privileges and how oppressive structures affect their lives which had given them the will power to pursue
their rights and resists all forms of perceived injustices, it however has inadequately helped its members in their
other needs as economic stability. However there is the need for sources of livelihood as factories and cottage
industries. Schools, medical clinics, recreation center and business centers should be part of the squatters’ relocation
site. While many of ZOTO members were relocated and retained under the Zonal Improvement Program received
their awards to their poverty, not all had been awarded their occupied lots. Those who received their awards have yet
to receive the title to their property. This situation has given them a sense of insecurity until they legally own their
awarded property through the issuance of a proper title.

Strategies Used

ZOTO used a common issue, their squatter status as a rallying point to organize the people. The people had
to come to grips with the source of their harassment, persecution and instability. To get the people’s commitment
and involvement to the organization’s goal and objectives, the potential member’s interest was aroused by clarifying
to them the issue involved, its ramifications and their rights under the law. These rights gave them prospects to work
on in order to attain their aspirations in owning their land and the need for a united stand in pursuing their goal to
victory.

The practice of shared leadership was also an effective strategy as it enabled ZOTO to obtain the members
active participation in all its programs and activities even when gave risks were involved. Since the members make
the decisions, they are committed to support and implement whatever decision they have arrived it. Thus the people
continued with their march till the lead group reached Claro Recto the leaders arrived at Mendiola. Somewhere at
Divisoria and del Pan, the marchers were stopped by the Metrocom who appeared in force. The where warned of
dire consequences if their group insisted in proceding to Malacanang. Even when a woman cradling a child in her
arms pleaded that they be allowed to proceed since they had sacrificed and suffered so much and this was only
chance to be heard by the President, the police remained adamant. Hence the leader of the group gave the quiet order
that they pretend to turn back and that that later break up and join the pedestrians to get through the cordon. Their
runners were asked to warn the order marching groups to break up use another route in going to Malacanang
undetected.

The group that reached del Pan were effectively detained but they refused to turn back and instead did a sit-
in singing their organization’s anthem and did some sharing’s while they waited the return of their leaders who had
already reached the Mendiola bridge. The other groups who were able to break up in insignificant members took
different routes to reach Mendiola and P. Laurel St. where they were able to join their colleagues. As their groups
swelled in number their massive show of force was a sight to behold. There were elderly marches and women with
suckling babies, youths, adults and support groups from the religious – priests, nuns, seminarians and students
braving the heat of the sun and the men in uniform with their menacing arms ready for any action. The marchers
were only armed with their will power and the comfort of their numbers.