Here at Locale of Baseco a story of resilience unfolds. Imagine a community born from a shipyard. This place now known as Baseco Compound has a vibrant history. Once, this land housed the dockyard of the National Shipyard and Steel Corporation.
In 1966 during Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency, the Romualdez family acquired NASSCO. They renamed it Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company or BASECO. The Marcos administration resettled urban poor here in the late 1970s. This was done to potentially create an international seaport.
Baseco officially became a barangay in the 1980s. It is Barangay 649, Zone 68. After the People Power Revolution in 1986, Corazon Aquino sequestered the property. The urban poor then began to resettle the area.
People first settled in “Block 40” within Baseco. Eventually, 39 other blocks were established. By 1999 Baseco finally gained full access to electricity. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proclaimed Baseco a residential site on February 12, 2002. In July 2021, the BaseCommunity housing project was inaugurated by the Manila city government.
Baseco’s geography is unique. It comprises Engineer’s Island and two stone breakwaters. These breakwaters border the Pasig River and the South Harbor. Before 1980 the breakwaters were separate islands. They were called Big Island and Small Island. Reclamation efforts increased Baseco’s area. This was done by the government, non-profit organizations and residents. Baseco even has a beach. Some Manila residents frequent it. However, the adjacent waters have dangerous coliform levels.
The area is prone to flooding. Typhoons and strong monsoon rains often affect Baseco. As a barangay, Baseco operates as “Barangay 649, Zone 68” of Manila. Block coordinators serve as the lowest government officials. They assist residents within their respective blocks.
From the 1960s to 1970s, shipyard employee families settled in Baseco. Back then, only 15 to 20 families resided here. By the early 2000s the population grew to around 47,017. The 2020 census recorded 64,750 residents.
The Baseco Compound even appeared in popular culture. It was the setting for an episode of the 2010 horror film Cinco.
Today Baseco stands as a testament to community spirit. It is a place where people have built lives. They have created a home amid challenges. The story of Baseco is still being written. It is a story of growth, resilience and the enduring power of community. It is a place of faith for the Iglesia ni Cristo. The Locale of Baseco stands as a symbol of that faith.