Groups storm DILG vs massive dislocation of urban poor under the Aquino admin by Jul 12, 2013 5:58am HKT LED by residents of North Triangle, Quezon City and Bignay, Valenzuela City, different urban poor groups in Metro Manila trooped to the new office of Department of Interior and Local Government and Times Street. The groups slammed the Aquino administration the massive dislocation of informal settlers to off-city relocation sites contrary to what the DILG earlier promised to urban poor residents, especially for those living along waterways in Metro Manila. Recently, several urban poor groups under Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, an alliance convened by Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) held a series of dialogues with DILG Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez. The groups have been lobbying against the off-city relocations offered by the national government citing the lack of basic social services and employment opportunities in the far-flung housing sites of the government. But according to Carlito Badion, national secretary-general of KADAMAY, Fernandez’ promise turns futile after the government has announced that settlers, particularly those living along waterways, are given an ultimatum to leave their homes, together with the P18,000 financial assistance and off-city relocation packages. Badion’s group challenged the DILG to show proof of its plan to build in-city, if not near-site, housing for those affected by the massive demolition rampage of the Aquino administration, especially those living along waterways in Metro Manila. And proof that the affected settlers will be the beneficiaries of the said in-city housing if ever they were built. KADAMAY cited the case of BistekVille, an in-city housing program of the Quezon City, which the group claims as not a housing program for the urban poor, especially the unemployed. (Please see attached checklist of requirements to avail Bistekville housing) Later, KADAMAY members will march to Times Street to express their anger over the silence of Malacanang amidst the gross human right violations committed by the Aquino administration against urban poor who are defending their homes. The group will put forward the extra-judicial killings of 13 anti-demolition activists, as tens of thousands have lost their homes in Aquino’s three years in office, and forcibly taken to off-city relocation sites that lack basic social services and employment opportunities.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:27:54 +0000
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