Paranaque urban poor to march to city hall

Press Release

April 7, 2011

Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

Some 100 informal settlers who were recent victims of violent demolitions marched today to the Paranaque city hall to call for a stop to the forcible eviction of the urban poor. The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) chapter in Paranaque led the march that assembled at 10:00 a.m. in Kabihasnan then proceeded to the city hall in Valley 1.

Ed Casuy, leader of the AMP-Paranaque, said that “We ask the local government of Paranaque for a moratorium on demolitions and evictions. There have been recent demolitions in the city which did not follow the procedures laid down in the law.”

Casuy revealed that on March 30 a violent demolition happened at the community of Cherry East Cul de Sac in Barangay Sun Valley, Paranaque that led to the injury of an old woman. “This is a private land inhabited by informal settlers who were illegally evicted without the processes required by law,” he clarified.

On the same day another demolition occurred at the back of the Lorenzana area at the

Coastal Road

in San Dionisio, Paranaque. Some 76 families were illegally evicted by the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the former Public Estates Authority, and another ten families are still threatened with demolition.

Casuy demanded that the relocation be provided to the displaced urban poor. The protesters brought with them placards with the messages “Moratorium sa Demolisyon at Ebiksyon, Ipatupad!” and “Marahas na Demolisyon at Ebiksyon, Ipatigil!”

Salvacion Hortilano the representative of the victims of violent demolition at the back of Lorenza said, “We ask Mayor Jun Bernabe and the City Council for a dialogue so they can hear our demands. If Lot 5155 in the coastal road is already under the jurisdiction of the City Government of Paranaque, we ask that a parcel of land be provided for the benefit of the informal settlers and not just of the few favored contractors of this administration.” She added, “What is the value of infrastructure projects funded by government money if the poor do not benefit from it?”

AMP is a coalition of urban poor organization in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon that is campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions, reforms in the housing policy and housing security of informal settlers. AMP is a participant in a consultation process initiated by a task force on housing headed by Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government. An output of the consultation process was an executive summary of urban poor demands and a draft order instituting a moratorium that has been forwarded to Malacanang.

Casuy explained that “All these demolitions and evictions are happening due to the fact that a draft executive order for a moratorium remains unsigned by PNoy. The more that PNoy delays signing the draft moratorium order, the more urban poor with be denied the right to decent and secure housing. Akala naming kami ang boss ni PNoy pero bakit wala siyang aksyon sa aming kahilingan at di niya tinototoo ang kanyang pangako?”

Noise barrage today at two NCR chokepoints continue labor-led protests vs. con-ass

Press Release
June 9, 2009

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) will lead the noise barrage at two chokepoints in Metro Manila today as labor-led protests against con-ass and cha-cha continued. At 2 p.m. some 300 urban poor will mobilize at Paranaque. While at 6 p.m. another group of 300 Manila residents and PM members will hold a separate noise barrage.

“The distrust and disapproval ratings of Gloria Arroyo are an early plebiscite on cha-cha. That one in every two Filipinos distrust and disapprove of Gloria Arroyo expresses the people’s rejection of the attempt to extend her term through con-ass,” argued Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson.

Members of PM and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino in Paranaque marched from their communities to the Bicutan palengke at the Bicutan interchange for the noise barrage. Residents of the Balic-Balic community led by the Holy Trinity Parish priest Fr. Erik Adoviso will be joined by PM members for the noise barrage at Welcome Rotonda. Fr. Erik Adoviso is head of the Archbishop of Manila Labor Ministry.

“We appeal to religious leaders to reject the courting from Malacanang and to stand firm against con-ass. The sweet talk from Malacanang is mere double talk. The workers protests are in response to the Catholic Church’s call versus con-ass and are parallel to multisectoral movement against cha-cha. The working class adds its voice to the people’s indignation over the railroading of con-ass and the desperate attempt to extend GMA’s term,” explained Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary general.

She stated that “We call on the people to make noise today or else we will wake up tomorrow with Gloria Arroyo remaining in power as prime minister. She is already earnestly campaigning with 15 trips to Pampanga in less than four months or once a week. There is no other reason for Gloria Arroyo’s visits except to woo voters for a run at the congressional seat now occupied by her son. Gloria Arroyo as a prime minister means the old dog returning with a new collar.”

“The denials of the trapos who sponsored signed Resolution 1109 cannot be believed like the generals who talk of peace even as they prepare for war. The 2010 polls that Nograles and others speak of will be elections for the members of parliament not a new president,” insisted Magtubo.

“Revising the Constitution will pave the way not just for GMA’s perpetuation in power but also the annihilation of the token protection for labor rights and national patrimony that remains in the Constitution,” Magtubo clarified as the basis for labor’s opposition to cha-cha.

Moratorium on demolitions demanded in wake of Taguig eviction

Press Release
May 14, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) asked the national government for a moratorium on evictions in the wake of another violent demolition yesterday in Western Bicutan, Taguig. “We ask that an executive order be drafted by Malacanang declaring a moratorium on demolitions and a ban on violent evictions. The least that government can do in the midst of the economic crisis is to refrain from destroying the houses and livelihoods of the poor,” stated Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.

The AMP is a network of community organizations in the NCR, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon that has figured in recent urban poor struggles around the housing issue. Last month AMP affiliates in Veraville Subdivision in Barangay Pulang Lupa 2 in Las Pinas and Meliton in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque fought demolition teams that resulted in injuries and arrests.

“We specifically call on Vice President Noli de Castro as the so-called housing czar to lead in the formulation of the executive order on a moratorium on demolitions. The Urban Housing and Development Act (UDHA) states that no demolition can proceed without relocation provided the urban poor. Honest to goodness negotiations with the community must be conducted for decent relocation. Residents are resisting and fighting evictions because they are being relocated to death zones where there are no livelihood and services,” explained Panis.

The AMP leaders held a dialogue with the HUDCC last April 30 during the Lakbayan or long march launched for the May Day mobilization. A continuation of the dialogue is scheduled on Friday. Among the topics for discussion is the call for a moratorium.

AMP is pushing for a 5-point urban poor agenda in the face of the economic crisis. The 5-point demands are: (1) Moratorium on demolitions and ban on violent evictions. LGU’s should pass ordinances to implement the Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052 recommending a moratorium; (2) Condonation of penalties and interests on low-cost and socialized housing loans. Draft a pro-poor implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 9507 or Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008; (3) Jobs for the 3 million unemployed. Reform and expand the public employment program; (4) Allot 20% of the land in housing projects for socialized housing as provided for in the UDHA. Thus on-site relocation will be possible and the urban poor need not be relocated to undeveloped areas without services and jobs; and (5) Shift the bulk of the P330 billion fund for the stimulus plan to direct support and social services to the poor instead of infrastructure projects which benefits principally contractors and business.

Church asked to support call for moratorium on demolitions

Press Release
April 21, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP), a nationwide group of militant urban poor organizations, called on Cardinal Rosales and the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to support the call for a moratorium on evictions of the urban poor as another violent eviction occurred in Cebu yesterday.

“We ask that the Church lend its voice to the demand for a moratorium on demolitions and a ban on violent evictions. As the Church backs the rural poor’s fight for agrarian reform, so we hope it will also support the urban poor’s struggle for decent housing,” stated Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.

Six people were hurt and three arrested in the violent eviction in Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Talamban in Cebu as residents fought a police SWAT team sent to reinforce the demolition team. Last Wednesday, seven people were hurt and three arrested as residents resisted the demolition of a depressed community in Veraville Subdivision in Barangay Pulang Lupa 2 in Las Pinas. While on April 3, bulldozers were used in the violent demolition at Militon in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque.

In response to the series of violent demolitions, AMP is advocating a 5-point agenda: (1) Moratorium on demolitions and ban on violent evictions. LGU’s should pass ordinances to implement the Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052 recommending a moratorium; (2) Condonation of penalties and interests on low-cost and socialized housing loans. Draft a pro-poor implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 9507 or Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008; (3) Jobs for the 3 million unemployed. Reform and expand the public employment program; (4) Allot 20% of the land in housing projects for socialized housing as provided for in the UDHA. Thus on-site relocation will be possible and the urban poor need not be relocated to undeveloped areas without services and jobs; and (5) Shift the bulk of the P330 billion fund for the stimulus plan to direct support and social services to the poor instead of infrastructure projects which benefits principally contractors and business.

“Honest to goodness negotiations with the community must be conducted for decent relocation. Residents are resisting and fighting evictions because they are being relocated to death zones where there are no livelihood and services,” explained Panis.

Urban poor group condemns violent demolition, arrest of leaders

Press Release
April 4, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) condemned the violent demolition yesterday of the depressed community of Militon in Paranaque City. The groups also slammed the arrest of two urban poor leaders in two separate incidents yesterday

According to Robert Labrador, an AMP leader, “Willy Candelario of Paranaque and Femelda Galura Avilen of Mandaluyong must be released since their arrests are mere harassment. Their only crime, if it can be called that, is fighting for the right to decent housing for the poor.”

Candelario was arrested during the demolition at Militon in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque. While Avilen was hauled by the police in Hinahon, Barangka Drive, Mandaluyong City in the midst of the occupation by the poor of a housing project.

“Holy Week is still a few days away but these events highlight the calvary of the poor in our country. Yesterday seemed like Black Friday for the Militon community, and the demolition crew that used a bulldozer and the Paranaque police that threw tear gas were like Roman centurions,” asserted Labrador.

In the community of Hinahon, 16 families occupied early morning yesterday the vacant housing units that were allotted to them as legitimate beneficiaries but were denied them by a syndicate. The Hinahon is a Gawad Kalinga housing project in partnership with Megaworld and the city government of Mandaluyong.

AMP and PM are calling for a moratorium on demolitions and evictions in the face of the economic crisis. The groups will emphasize that demand in the yearly “Kalbaryo ng Maralita” to be held on Monday. The “Kalbaryo ng Maralita” is a traditional march-protest to draw attention to the plight of the poor.

Thousands of urban poor rally at Paranaque City Hall for a moratorium on demolitions

Press Release
March 26, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

More than a thousand urban poor residents assembled at two different points in Paranaque then marched on to the City Hall to demand a moratorium on demolitions. The protesters held a whole-day program at the grounds of the City Hall and then petitioned the City Council which met at 4 p.m.

“We are asking the City Council of Paranaque to pass an ordinance in accordance with the resolution of the Commission on Human Rights recommending to LGU’s that they implement a moratorium in evictions and demolitions in consideration of the impact of the crisis on the poor,” explained Nena Olbina, a leader of the Alyansa ng Maralita sa Paranaque (AMP), a coalition of community organizations in the city.

The group is referring to the CHR Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052 entitled “Recommending the imposition of a moratorium on evictions and demolitions of structures using for dwelling purposes and other measures to protect the right to housing.”

One group assembled around 7 a.m. at SM Bicutan while another party met around the same time at 7-11 in Kabihasnan. According to the AMP, three depressed communities in Paranaque—Meliton and Sitio Wakas in Brgy. San Dionisio in District 2 and Tambo in District 1—are scheduled for immediate demolition.

According to Romy Cabugnason, a leader of the Tucuma Federation, “Paranaque is not alone if it passes the ordinance for a moratorium. The cities of Pasay and Quezon already have similar local laws.”

The rallies at NHA last Tuesday and in Paranaque today are both build up activities for the "Kalbaryo ng Maralita" in the coming Holy Week. The “Kalbaryo ng Maralita’ is an annual protest to highlight the plight and struggles of the urban poor.

The last rally at the Paranaque City Hall on February 19 was marred with violence when a security guard in one of the subdivisions fired a warning shot as the rally passed by.