Tucuma residents appeal to Catholic Church for support

Press Release

April 29, 2012

Tucuma Federation

The residents of the depressed community of Tucuma in Barangay Merville, Paranaque City appealed to the Catholic Church for support in its land dispute. Leaders of the Tucuma Federation will meet with Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who also heads the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action, today to present their case and request.

“The social teachings of the Catholic Church put forward that people should be first before profit. Applied to our case, this means that the housing and livelihood needs of some 1,000 families are a priority over the private property claims of the Molave Development Corporation which wants to profit by speculation over a long-idled land,” explained Ramil Asturias, Tucuma Federation president.

Tomorrow a long march or Lakbayan will banner the call “Stop to demolitions, Housing and jobs for all.” Some 500 workers, youth and poor from Metro Manila and Calabarzon will lead the “Lakbayan para sa Pabahay at Trabaho” which will start by 3:00 p.m. at Baclaran Church and end by 8:00 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church in Balic-Balic.

The marchers will stay overnight at the Holy Trinity Church then join on May 1 the huge 20,000-strong “historic” rally by the newly-formed Nagkaisa, which unites the country’s major labor center for the first time since the 1980’s. Among the eight major demands of Nagkaisa’s Labor Day rally will be reform of the socialized housing program of the government and a moratorium on demolitions.

Asturias will propose to Bishop Pabillo that the Catholic Church call for an extension of the temporary suspension of the demolitions ordered by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. The suspension will only last until the regulations on demolitions are assessed and affirmed. “We however want that the moratorium last until the socialized housing of the government is reviewed and reformed. The government’s housing policy for the poor is profit not service-oriented,” Asturias insisted.

Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa chairperson, welcomed Robredo’s suspension of demolitions but also pushed for an extension. “Suspending demolitions until new rules are drafted merely scratches the surface of the problem. The government needs to address the root cause of lack of housing for the poor. The housing program is tied up with the jobs and wages policy. The low wages in the country, as attested by a recent report of the ILO, means that the poor have barely enough income for food much less rent or amortization on housing,” he said.

Magtubo revealed that the number of informal settlers was estimated at half a million families by a HUDCC study in 2007 while the housing backlog is assumed to be 3.7 million units.

Tucuma residents welcome suspension of demolitions but wants moratorium extended till housing program reformed

Press Release

April 28, 2012

Tucuma Federation

The residents of the depressed community of Tucuma in Barangay Merville, Parañaque who have been preparing to fight off an eviction heaved a sigh of relief and welcomed the temporary suspension of demolitions ordered by DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo hours after they held a rally and sought a dialogue with his office yesterday.

“We however call on Sec. Robredo to extend the moratorium till the housing and even jobs policy of the government is reviewed and reformed,” Ramil Asturias, Tucuma Federation president said. This was in reaction to reports that the suspension will only last until the regulations on demolitions are assessed and affirmed.

Leaders of Tucuma Federation together with residents of NIA compound in Quezon City and West Bicutan who face similar land disputes staged the rally and were met with a DILG official named Clarion Paz-Tanghal who received the letter on behalf of Sec. Robredo. Asturias appealed to Robredo to facilitate negotiations between Tucuma Federation, the landowner Molave Development Corporation and Parañaque  Mayor Florencio Bernabe.

Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa chairperson, supported Asturias’ position and said that “Suspending demolitions until new rules are drafted merely scratches the surface of the problem. The government needs to address the root cause of lack of housing for the poor. The housing program is tied up with the jobs and wages policy. The low wages in the country, as attested by a recent report of the ILO, means that the poor have barely enough income for food much less rent or amortization on housing.”

Magtubo announced that a long march or Lakbayan from Calabarzon to Manila will be held on the eve of Labor Day and banner the call “Stop to demolitions, Housing and jobs for all.” Some 400 workers, youth and poor from Cavite, Laguna and Batangas will march from Zapote early in the morning of April 30 then merge with a contingent from Metro Manila by 3:00 p.m. in Baclaran and stay overnight at the Holy Trinity Church in Balic-Balic. On May 1, the “Lakbayan para sa Pabahay at Trabaho” will join the huge 20,000-strong “historic” rally by the newly-formed Nagkaisa, which unites the country’s major labor center for the first time since the 1980’s.

Magtubo revealed that the number of informal settlers was estimated at half a million families by a HUDCC study in 2007 while the housing backlog is assumed to be 3.7 million units. “Tucuma’s fight is the fight of all. Decent housing is a right not a privilege of all Filipinos. Violent evictions must be prohibited. Land disputes must be resolved through negotiations without the threat of violence, deceit or bribery. Residents must be relocated to better living conditions to ensure that negotiations end peacefully in agreement,” he insisted.

Parañaque residents vow to defend community as Mayor says demolition to proceed today

Press Release

April 26, 2012

Tucuma Federation

Residents of a Parañaque community vowed to defend their homes as City Mayor Florencio “Jun” Bernabe declared that the scheduled demolition today will proceed. The possibility of another violent eviction follows the bloody demolition at Silverio compound last Monday in which one resident was killed and scores were arrested. Ramil Asturias, president of the Tucuma Federation, said that “We have lived peacefully here for years but will resist any attempt to forcible evict us from our homes.”

The Tucuma Federation represents some 1,000 families living in the depressed community of Tucuma in Barangay Merville. A hundred Tucuma Federation members rallied at the Parañaque City Hall yesterday in a last-minute appeal but Mayor Bernabe snubbed the call for a dialogue. In news reports, Mayor Bernabe averred that he cannot do anything as it is a court-ordered demolition. After the Tucuma members returned home from the city hall rally, they began preparations for defending their homes against demolition.

“Mayor Bernabe’s character is revealed by his double standard. He says that his hands are tied by the court order for a demolition yet he refuses lift a finger to enforce a city ordinance mandating the expropriation of the disputed land. It is in Mayor Bernabe’s power to set aside the demolition as the affected residents are also the beneficiaries of the expropriation ordinance,” Asturias explained.

The Tucuma Federation is demanding the implementation of City Ordinance 0013 s. 2000 expropriating the disputed land and asking that Mayor Bernabe refile the expropriation case on the property owner. The Molave Development Corp. headed by a certain Cynthia Tinitigan is claiming ownership of the disputed land which is less than one hectare big.

The Tucuma Federation expressed solidarity with the Silverio residents, condemned the deadly force used on Monday’s demolition and demands a moratorium on demolitions. “Heads must roll for the death of one resident from police gunfire and the brutality accompanying the arrest of scores protesters,” asserted Ramil Cangayao, spokesperson of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP). The Tucuma Federation is an affiliate of the AMP which is an alliance of urban poor associations in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa national chair, asserted that “Violent evictions must be prohibited. Land disputes must be resolved through negotiations without the threat of violence, deceit or bribery. Residents must be relocated to better living conditions to ensure that negotiations end peacefully in agreement.” Magtubo explained that one of the demands of the coming Labor Day rally is a moratorium on demolitions.

Parañaque residents rally against demolition

Press Release

April 25, 2012

Tucuma Federation

More than 100 residents of a community in Parañaque staged a rally at the city hall this morning to call for a stop to the scheduled demolition of their homes tomorrow. In the face of the violent eviction at the Silverio compound last Monday, another demolition has been scheduled tomorrow at the Tucuma community at Barangay Merville in Parañaque.

Ramil Asturias, president of the Tucuma Federation has vowed that “We will defend our community where some 1,000 urban poor families reside. It is in the hands of Mayor Florencio ‘Jun’ Bernabe whether a peaceful resolution of the land dispute or another violent confrontation occurs at Tucuma.”

Aside from a stop to the scheduled demolition, the Tucuma Federation also called for the implementation of City Ordinance 0013 s. 2000 expropriating the disputed land and asked that Mayor Bernabe refile the expropriation case on the property owner. The Molave Development Corp. headed by a certain Cynthia Tinitigan is claiming ownership of the disputed land which is less than one hectare big.

“We ask that Mayor Bernabe make a political decision to set aside the demolition order since the affected residents are also the beneficiaries of the expropriation ordinance that has long remained unenforced,” Asturias explained.

The Tucuma Federation likewise condemned the deadly force used on Silverio residents and demands a moratorium on demolitions. “Heads must roll for the death of one resident from police gunfire and the brutality accompanying the arrest of scores protesters,” said Ramil Cangayao, spokesperson of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP). The Tucuma Federation is an affiliate of the AMP which is an alliance of urban poor associations in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa national chair, asserted that “Violent evictions must be prohibited. Land disputes must be resolved through negotiations without the threat of violence, deceit or bribery. Residents must be relocated to better living conditions to ensure that negotiations end peacefully in agreement.”

Magtubo explained that one of the demands of the coming Labor Day rally is a moratorium on demolitions. Some 20,000 workers and urban poor under the umbrella of the newly-formed Nagkaisa will march along Espana to Mendiola to highlight the issues of job contractualization, low wages, high prices of oil and power and violent demolitions, among others. Some 40 labor organizations established the Nagkaisa, among them the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Alliance of Progressive Labor and PM.

Urban poor group condemns violent Paranaque demolition, use of deadly force

Press Release

April 24, 2012

Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

The urban poor group Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) condemned the violent demolition at the Silverio Compound in Paranaque and assailed the use of deadly force by the police. “Heads must roll for the death of one resident from police gunfire and the brutality accompanying the arrest of scores protesters,” said Ramil Cangayao, spokesperson of the AMP. AMP is an alliance of urban poor associations in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.

Meanwhile Renato Magtubo, PM national chair, asserted that “Violent evictions must be prohibited. Land disputes must be resolved through negotiations without the threat of violence, deceit or bribery. Residents must be relocated to better living conditions to ensure that negotiations end peacefully in agreement.”

Cangayao expressed the fear that violence may erupt once more in Paranaque since another demolition has been scheduled on Thursday at the Tucuma community in Barangay Merville. Ramil Asturias, president of the Tucuma Federation, declared that they will defend their community from any attempt at demolition.

The Tucuma residents are planning a rally at the Paranaque city hall tomorrow to appeal for a stop to the scheduled demolition. Tucuma Federation is an affiliate of the AMP.

Magtubo explained that one of the demands of the coming Labor Day rally is a moratorium on demolitions. Some 20,000 workers and urban poor under the umbrella of the newly-formed Nagkaisa will march along Espana to Mendiola to highlight the issues of job contractualization, low wages, high prices of oil and power and violent demolitions, among others. Some 40 labor organizations established the Nagkaisa, among them the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Alliance of Progressive Labor and PM.

Violence, demolition threaten Calamba community

Press Release

May 29, 2011

Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino

Shots were fired and stones were hurled at the houses of two leaders of an urban poor community that is being threatened by demolition. The incidents happened late night of Friday as residents of a community at Purok 3, Barangay Makiling in Calamba, Laguna were resting and sleeping.

“We call on Mayor Jun Chipeco of Calamba and newly reappointed DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to assist the urban poor of Calamba who are being threatened by an illegal demolition,” stated Ramil Cangayo, coordinator of the Calabarzon chapter of Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP), a national network of urban poor organizations that is campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions, reforms in the housing policy and housing security of informal settlers.

At 11:45 pm last Friday three shots were fired at a light bulb in the house of Zeny Martirez, treasurer of the Samahang Magkakapitbahay Magkakaibigan Kapuso (SMMK). The shards fell on the face of her child who sustained injuries. The family recovered two bullet fragments inside their house. Earlier at 10:00 pm stones were thrown at the house of Mike Brendes, auditor of the group. Martirez and Brendes filed a report at the barangay yesterday about the incidents. SMMK leaders suspect the violent harassment is connected to the demolition being threatened by barangay captain Soliman Lajara and a certain Cao of Galaxy Realty Corp which owns the lot on which the community stands.

“Some 86 families are now living in fear because of the harassment and threats. Cao and Lajara are warning the residents that they must leave tomorrow or else be demolished. However there is no demolition order so clearly this is illegal,” Cangayao explained.

The leaders and members of SMMK had staged a rally and held a dialogue with Mayor Chipeco last May 10. Negotiations with the mayor’s office are still ongoing.

Renato Magtubo, national chair of Partido ng Manggagawa, called on President Benigno Aquino III to sign a draft executive order providing for a moratorium on demolitions and evictions. “The spate of violent demolitions in Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Metro Cebu reveal the need for a moratorium on evictions. During the pendency of the moratorium, government must hold an honest dialogue with the urban poor for strategic solution to the problem of housing for the poor,” he explained.

PM and AMP and are involved in the consultations held by the cabinet level task force headed by Secretary Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor. An executive order for the moratorium drafted as a result of the consultations has remained unsigned by President Aquino.

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?”

Urban poor greet PNoy with picket, call for moratorium on demolitions

Press Release

April 4, 2011

Urban poor members of the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) greeted President Benigno Aquino with a picket as he attended an activity of the local government of Paranaque. Some 100 AMP and PM members in Paranaque positioned themselves in front of the Paranaque City hall as early as 7:30 a.m. today, chanted slogans and held placards with the messages “Moratorium sa Demolisyon at Ebiksyon, Ipatupad!” and “Marahas na Demolisyon at Ebiksyon, Ipatigil!”

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.

Ed Casuy, leader of the AMP-Paranaque, said that “We appeal to PNoy to make good on his campaign promise that he will declare a moratorium on demolitions and evictions. This is a promise that has remained unfulfilled to this day. Everyday that PNoy delays implementing a moratorium, more urban poor fall victim to illegal and violent demolitions and evictions.”

Casuy revealed that as recently as 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.

Another demolition occurred at the back of the Lorenzana area at the

Coastal Road

in San Dionisio, Paranaque. Some 19 families were illegally evicted by the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the former Public Estates Authority. The urban poor of Cherry East and back of Lorenzana both plan to file cases at the Commission on Human Rights. Casuy insisted that more communities of informal settlers are under threat of demolition.

He 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?”

AMP and PM were participants 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.

“Are vested interests with connections to key officials of PNoy blocking the draft moratorium order? Or has PNoy himself turned his back on his promise to the urban poor? The urban poor will not stop hounding PNoy in order to know the answer,” Casuy asked.

Urban poor hold human chain protest to urge PNoy on moratorium on demolitions

Press Release
January 10, 2011
Kilos Maralita

An urban poor group led a human chain and noise barrage protest this morning to call on the government to fulfill the campaign promise of President Benigno Aquino III on a comprehensive reform of the housing program for the poor and a moratorium on demolitions. The group Kilos Maralita is pushing for a three-year moratorium on demolitions, evictions and foreclosures.

Some 300 urban poor from the constituent groups of Kilos Maralita such as the North Triangle Association, LUPA and Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) participated in the protest. The protesters linked arms in a human chain along EDSA from the corner of North Avenue to the corner of Quezon Avenue. They also held a 30-minute noise barrage by banging on pots and pans.

Teody Gacer of Kilos Maralita and leader of the North Triangle residents asserted that “It is high time that PNoy carry out his promise during the presidential campaign. We want government action on a thoroughgoing reform of socialized housing. We demand a three-year moratorium on demolitions.”

Tomorrow Kilos Maralita is going to Malacanang for a dialogue with government officials on their demand. The renewed campaign for a moratorium is in the face of reports that government is going to sign an executive order for a three-month moratorium.

“A three-month moratorium is a sick joke on the urban poor,” Gracer insisted. Representatives of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) will accompany the Kilos ng Maralita leaders in the Malacanang dialogue. CHR and NAPC have formally supported the Kilos Maralita demand for a three-year moratorium.

Land dispute in Parañaque escalates as community burned to ground

Press Release
March 2, 2010

The land dispute at the depressed community of Palasan continues to escalate as the remaining houses were burned to the ground for the second time yesterday. More than 20 residents and their supporters were also arrested yesterday for resisting the demolition and detained in the Parañaque police precinct along Coastal Road in Brgy. La Huerta. The labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa slammed the demolition as not just illegal but inhuman.

For the third time in two weeks, leaders of the Palasan Neighborhood Association together with scores of supporters among the Parañaque affiliates of Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP)—a network of urban poor organizations in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon—and the labor party-list Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) marched at 9:00 a.m. on the city hall of Paranaque to seek a dialogue with Mayor Florencio “Jun” Bernabe. Early this morning protesters picketed the police precinct were the Palasan residents and their supporters were detained.

“The demolition is illegal because there no order of demolition has been issued by any court. Moreover the eviction is very inhuman. They did not just use heavy equipment but also put our houses on fire. Finally they arrested us like terrorists. But fighting for rights and defending our homes is not a crime,” explained Rodrigo Bautista, president of the Palasan Neighborhood Association.

The Palasan residents criticize even the issuance of writ of possession since the ownership of the land is still pending at the Land Registration Authority as LRA Case No. 97-0111. Some 50 people remain at the disputed land despite repeated attempts at demolition that started last February 11.

Robert Labrador of AMP, which is supporting the Palasan residents, added, “We ask Mayor Florencio Bernabe to mediate and communicate with Mr. Mike Velarde for a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the land dispute.” AMP condemned El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde, whose Amvel subdivision is right beside Palasan, as the mastermind behind the illegal and inhuman demolition.

The Palasan residents revealed that the demolition team was backed by the Parañaque SWAT and the PNP. Since the urban poor settlers kept their ground, private security guards of the Manila Shooter agency together with the police burned the remaining houses to forcibly remove the legitimate residents of the disputed land.

Renato Magtubo, PM Chairperson stated that, “This demolition is in utter violation of human rights. The government must engage in honest negotiation and pursue decent relocation. Demolition and militarization are not the answer to land disputes.”

The AMP provided legal assistance to the Palasan Neighborhood Association as they trooped to the Ombudsman yesterday to file a complaint government officials implicated in the illegal demolition.

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.

Moratorium on evictions asked as violent demolitions rise

Press Release
April 19, 2009

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) demanded a moratorium on evictions of the urban poor in the face of a rash of violent demolitions in the last two weeks in Metro Manila and Cebu. “We ask that Malacanang declare 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 Renato Magtubo, chairperson of PM.

The call for a moratorium came in the wake of a series of violent demolitions in Metro Manila and Cebu. 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. The day before, residents of Lower Tayong, Barangay Talamban in Cebu claimed they were harassed by members of the police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) who backed up the demolition team.

Last April 3 two urban poor leaders were arrested in separate incidents. One was arrested during the violent demolition at Militon in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque in which bulldozers were used as residents fought the eviction. The other was arrested as 16 families in Hinahon, Barangka Drive, Mandaluyong occupied vacant housing units that were allotted to them as legitimate beneficiaries but were denied them by a syndicate.

“The Urban Housing and Development Act (UDHA) provide 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 Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.

PM and AMP announced that the urban poor will join industrial workers in commemorating Labor Day. Panis said that the urban poor is pushing for a 5-point demand in regards to the government’s so-called “stimulus plan.”

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.