[Calling for a stop to demolition of urban poor communities] Demolition victims in Metro Manila to march to Mendiola, similar protests to be held in other cities nationwide

PRESS RELEASE l 29 November 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

QUEZON CITY—A national anti-demolition group calls on all urban poor victims of ‘demolition rampage’ of the Aquino administration to join the nationwide protest tomorrow to call on the president to issue a moratorium on demolition of homes.

Led by Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), protesters under Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon (AKD) in Metro Manila will march tomorrow from an urban poor camp-out at the gate of NHA, passing through the North and East Triangle communities that have recently faced violent demolition of homes to give way to a business district that will soon to rise in the said areas. The march will pass by other urban poor communities along Quezon Ave expecting to gain in number as it reaches Mendiola.

Other urban poor groups under Kadamay and AKD in the country’s major cities including Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Metro Bagiuo, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, and Iloilo City among others will also hold the same protest tomorrow.

In Metro Manila, demolition victims have already held a camp-out at the gate of the national office of the National Housing Authority. They will hold an early morning program against Aquino’s Public-Private Partnership, which they say is the culprit behind the left-and-right demolition of their homes.

This afternoon, the campers will light candles in condemnation of the violent demolition of homes in two communities in Quezon City yesterday. A simultaneous candle lighting event will be held along Taft Avenue by church people who support the fight of urban poor settlers against demolition.

“The silence of the national government despite the gross human right violation committed to the urban poor is very disgusting,” said Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor. “Instead of giving us jobs and wage increase to secure food on our table, the government is inclined to take away our homes for the benefit of a few and the rich. The connivance between Aquino and the big corporation is very clear.”

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general said, “Under the Aquino administration, the urban poor have felt helpless and hopeless more than ever. The government, in connivance with the big local and foreign businessmen, has become our worst enemy.”

“Aquino must stop the demolition of our homes now, and bring justice to those who are stripped of their right to decent housing and life.” Arellano adds.

To answer the widespread poverty, the massive unemployment and landlessness in the countryside must be addressed according to Kadamay. “There must be an immediate overhaul in his poverty-alleviation and economic programs. Or else he shall face the fury and retaliation of millions of suffering Filipinos and face the same fate as his predecessors,” Arellano warns.###