Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap

Ka Mameng leads protests at Mendiola on Aquino’s 52nd birthday

2012-02-08T16:28:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (08 February 2012)

As President Noynoy Aquino celebrates his birthday with the quake victims in Negros Oriental, Carmen ‘Ka Mameng’ Deunida, leader of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), who also celebrates her 84th year today, led the militants’ protests today in Mendiola.

Kadamay joined the protest under Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a broad network of citizens against what it calls as the ‘demolition rampage’ of the Aquino regime on urban poor communities.

The protesters burnt a big birthday gift, with an enlarged image of Aquino’s face at the foot of Mendiola, and sang birthday jingles incorporated with demolition terms. They wished for a nationwide moratorium on all cases of demolition of urban poor communities nationwide.

“We are only giving back to Aquino what he sugar-coated as his administration’s flagship economic program—Public-Private Partnership,” said Estrelieta Bagasbas, the network’s spokesperson, and a local leader from North Triangle, QC.

“While Aquino wants us to see that he cares so much about the victims of the recent quake, the people should not forget that tens of thousands of other urban poor Filipinos are in constant fear of demolition of their homes,” Bagasbas added.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the media, Ka Mameng cited her wish for the president.

“The urban poor will never get tired of calling on the president to truly serve the interest of the Filipinos, especially the poor, as well as to junk policies that favors more the interest of the foreign businesses than its people,” Ka Mameng said.###

KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen, 09213927457

Grupo ng maralita, naghatid ng regalo sa ika-52 taong kaarawan ni Aquino

2012-02-08T16:27:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (08 Peb 2012)

“Tama na sa pagpapapogi at pagpapanggap!”

Ito ang banggit ng grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa planong pagdaraos ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino ng kanyang ika-52 taong kaarawan sa Dumaguete, Negros Oriental matapos itong sinalanta ng malakas na lindol noong Lunes. Naghatid ang grupo ng isang malaking regalo sa paanan ng Mendiola. Nilahukan ito ng mga maralita mula sa iba't ibang komunidad na nahaharap sa banta ng demolisyon sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ni Aquino. Nagpahiwatig din sila ng pakikiramay sa mga biktima ng trahendya pakikiramay ng grupo sa mga biktima ng nasabing trahedya.

Ayon kay Estrelieta Bagasbas, tagapagsalita ng grupo, hindi totoong kinakalinga ni Aquino ang mga maralita. Habang bumibisita siya ngayong araw sa mga taga-Dumaguete, libu-libong maralitang lungsod naman ang nahaharap sa banta ng demolisyon dahil sa iba’t ibang proyektong pangkaunlaran na tulak ng administrasyon.

Photo Ops

“For photo-ops lang ang nagiging pagtugon ng gubyerno sa mga nasasalanta ng mga kalamidad. Katunayan hanggang ngayon, libong pamilya pa rin ang naglalagi sa mga evacuation center sa Cagayan De Oro at Iligan na nabiktima ng Sendong, habang patuloy ang pag-endorso ng administrasyon sa malalaking kompanya ng minahan sa Mindanao,” ani Bagasbas.

Kasabay ng kanilang kilos-protesta sa Mendiola sa kaarawan ni Aquino, nanawagan din ang grupo sa gubyerno para sa magpapatupad ng ng isang pambansang tigil-demolisyon.

Suliranin ng mamamayan

“Nanawagan kami kay Noynoy na pakinggan ang mga panawagan ng mga maralita, at harapin ang problema ng lumalalang kahirapan sa bansa,” dagdag ni Bagasbas. “Hindi sapat ang pagbisita lamang sa mga maralita pagkatapos ng mga kalamidad habang sa kabilang banda ay nagpapatuloy at tumitinda ang pananalasa ng mga batas tulad ng Urban Development and Housing Act, Oil Deregulation Law, at iba pang kontra-maralitang batas.”

Dagdag pa ng lider, sa hanay ng maralitang lungsod, lantad na lantad na umano ang tunay na katangian ni Noynoy.

Pagbabanta pa ni Bagabas, “Kung magpapatuloy ang mga kontra-maralitang programa at patakaran ni Aquino, hindi malayong ang 2012 ang maging huling kaarawan niya sa Malacanang.###

ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD Lead convenor, 09393873736

Urban poor group calls on the PNP-AFP to release two of its abducted leaders

2012-02-08T16:24:00.003+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
08 February 2012

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), the country's largest urban poor alliance, calls on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to release two of its Southern Tagalog leaders that were illegally arrested Tuesday afternoon in Laguna, and held at the headquarters of PNP Region IV-A in Canlubang, Calamba City.

The leaders are Evelyn Legaspi, Kadamay-ST Regional Council member, and Pastora Latagan, a regional staff. Legaspi and Latagan were reportedly abducted yesterday at around 5:30 PM in Barangay Maitim, Bay, Laguna by suspected elements of the police and military from the 202nd Infantry Brigade and 22nd military intelligence company. The two leaders are active in the area as they were coordinators of urban poor women doing some activities for the sector.

A press release from PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) this afternoon revealed the police are in custody of the two. KARAPATAN, a rights group, later learned that trumped up charges were filed against the victims which include cases of multiple attempted murder, multiple frustrated murder, and multiple murder.

"We call on the PNP and AFP to immediately release our leaders, without conditions, and dismiss all the trumped charges filed against the two," said Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano.

According to Kadamay, the said incident only proves that Palparan-inspired red-tagging and abduction of militant activists is being perpetrated by some officers among the ranks of the police and the military.

"Without a doubt, the recent illegal arrests done by the state forces are only part of the United States-backed Oplan Bayanihan, the counter-insurgency program of the Aquino administration that is behind the continuing rights violations including militarization of urban poor communities that face threats of demolitions and others which are considered bailiwicks of progressive groups," added Arellano.

The group also demanded for the Aquino government to respect the human rights of its people as guaranteed by the constitution and international humanitarian laws, and end the covert impunity that persists in this country, noting its highly dismal human right record.

"As Oplan Bayanihan, coercively and clandestinely violates the rights of those who stand against inequity and injustice, we will continue our call on every Filipino to rally behind the protection of our democratic rights as a people," she ended. ###

Grupong Kadamay, nanawagan sa gobyernong itigil ang kontraktwalisasyon [Para solusyunan ang lumalalang underemployment sa bansa]

2012-02-03T01:54:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
3 Pebrero 2012

"Ang kontraktwalisasyon sa paggawa ang nasa likod ng mataas na underemployment rate sa bansa, at dapat kagyat na ihinto ng administrasyong Aquino ang implementasyon nito."

Ito ang sagot ng militanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) sa bagong datos na inilabas ng National Statistics Office (NSO) na nagsasabing 19.3% ng lakas paggawa sa bansa o halos 7.2 milyong manggagawa ang hindi nasasapatan sa haba ng oras ng kanilang trabaho. Tumaas ito ng 0.5% mula sa 18.8% noong 2010.

Ayon kay Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay, "Ang mataas na bilang ng mga manggagawang hindi nasasapatan sa kanilang mga trabaho ay naging kalakaran na sa bansa sa pagsasabatas ng Republic Act 6715 of 1989 o ang Herrera Law." Ito umano ang nagpahintulot sa kontraktwalisasyon sa paggawa, at nag-alis ang lahat ng karapatan ng mga manggagawa gaya ng pag-uunyon, pagtanggap ng minimum napasahod at ng mga karampatang benepisyo."

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, "Sinundan pa ang Herrera Law ng marami pang batas, panukalang batas, mga kautusan ng korte at mga patakaran ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno na nakabalangkas sa pagpapalaganap ng kontraktwalisasyon."

Ang paglala ng kahirapang dinaranas ng higit sa 30 milyong maralitang lungsod sa bansa ay umano'y dulot ng kawalan ng mga permanenteng trabaho na may sapat na sahod.

Maliit na sahod

"Sa aabot sa P150-200 na arawang kita ng kalakhan sa mga may trabahong maralitang lungsod, hindi na nila kinakayang mabigyan ng disenteng tirahan at iba ang pangangailan ng kanilang pamilya gaya ng edukasyon at pagpapagamot. Sa pagkain pa lamang ng pamilya at pamasahe papunta sa trabaho, ubos na ang kita ng mga manggagawa," ani Arellano.

Hirit pa ng grupo, "Hindi dapat samantalahin ng mga dayuhan at lokal na negosyante ang malawak na kawalan ng trabaho sa bansa para isuong ang mga manggagawa
sa hindi makataong kalagayan sa kanilang trabaho, habang kakarampot na sahod pa rin ang ibinibigay sa kanila."

Nanawagan si Arellano sa administrasyong Aquino na huwag konsentihin ang ganitong kalakaran, at kagyat na ibasura ang Department Order No.18-02 ng Departpent of Labor and Employment (DOLE) na umano'y nagtuturo pa sa mga kapitalista na pagsamantalahan ang mga manggagawa.

Lumiit na bilang ng walang trabaho

Sa kabilang banda, ikinagulat ng Kadamay ang lumiit na bilang ng mga walang trabaho sa bansa, na ayon sa NSO ay nasa 2.8 milyong Pilipino na lamang, bumaba ng 0.3% mula sa 3.3% noong nakaraang taon.

Ayon kay Arellano, kada taon ay libu-libong magsasaka ng tumutungo sa kalunsuran upang maghanap ng kanilang ikabubuhay, at sa ngayon, kahit mga menor-de-edad ay naghahanap na ng trabaho para lamang makakain ang kanilang pamilya. "Hindi dapat ikonsidera ng gubyerno bilang mga 'trabaho' ang mga panandaliang programang iniaalok nito sa mga maralita gaya ng mga cash-for-work at emergency employment programs na halos linggo lang ang itinatagal."

"Hanggat hindi nililikha ng gubyerno ang mga lokal na industriyang hindi sumusunod sa mga neoliberal na patakaran tulad ng kontraktwalisasyon, gayundin ang tunay na repormang agraryo sa kanayunan, taun-taon ay kakaharapin ng gubyerno ang matinding suliranin ng kawalan at kakulangan ng trabaho sa bansa," banta ni Arellano. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

'CCT, merely for Aquino's political survival'--Kadamay

2012-02-02T10:02:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
1 February 2012

Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) dismissed DSWD chief's claim that the increase in the hunger incidence is not relevant, considering the margin of error plus or minus three percentage points used in the recent Social Weather Station survey.

Kadamay also said that DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman should keep from defending its well-funded Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program for the poorest of the poor, as the government spent billions of cash to a 'defective' poverty-alleviation program.

"On the other hand, Soliman's claim and blind reference to the CCT as behind the estimated decrease in poverty incidence is highly unfounded, and merely sloganeering," Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general said.

"Without knowing who among the SWS respondents are CCT beneficiaries, the government cannot account for a direct correlation between CCT and poverty incidence in the country, as it has neither offered sustainable poverty-alleviation programs such as domestic industries to generate permanent jobs and give its workers significant wage increase, nor has implemented a genuine agrarian reform program for the millions of landless farmers," Arellano said.

"Given the unabated oil price hikes during the fourth quarter, affecting the prices of basic commodities, and the massive lay-off of local workers and OFWs, we really doubt that the number of poor Filipinos has plunged from 52% (estimated 10.4 million) in September 2011 to 45% (estimated 9.1 million) in December 2011," she noted.

According to the group, CCT has only served as a means of President Aquino's political survival, his safeguard against the swelling discontent among the toiling Filipino masses in the midst of the local and global economic crisis.

"By not addressing the root problem of unequal land distribution among its citizens and the absence of domestic industries, the Aquino administration, in no time, will have to device an effective exit strategy from CCT for the millions of beneficiaries that it has turned into an army of mendicants," Arellano stressed.

"A burden that it would pass on to the succeeding administration to resolve," she added.###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

'CCT, hindi talaga para sa pagsugpo ng kahirapan'--Kadamay

2012-02-02T10:00:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
1 Pebrero 2012

"Ang Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) ay instrumento lamang ng administrasyong Aquino para matiyak nito ang pananatili sa poder, at hindi pa upang sugpuin ang lumalalang kahirapan sa bansa."

Ito ang pahayag ng militanteng grupo ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) hinggil sa naging pagtaas ng datos ng kagutuman, samantalang bumaba naman ang bilang ng mga naghihirap sa huling kwarto ng 2011, ayon sa huling Social Weather Station (SWS) Survey.

Binira ng militanteng grupo ang pahayag ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Dinky Soliman na ang CCT ang nasa likod ng pagbaba ng bilang ng naghihirap, at pagbalewala ng kalihim sa pagtaas ng bilang ng nagugutom na Pilipino.

Ani Soliman, walang halaga ang ilang puntos na pagbaba sa tantos ng kagutuman na dinadanas ng mga Pilipino kung ikokonsidera ang margin of error na plus o minus 3 percent sa nasabing resulta ng SWS Survey.

Ayon naman kay Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general ng Kadamay, dapat ay itigil na ng kalihim ang pagtatanggol nito sa depektibong CCT o Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ng administrasyong Aquino. Dagdag pa niya, liban sa ang CCT ay napakagastos, walang katiyakan ang DSWD na kalaunan ay mapapawi nito ang kahirapan sa bansa.

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, "Hindi naman tinutukoy kung sino sa mga respondent ng SWS Survey ang mga benipisyaryo ng CCT, kaya hindi sapat na sabihing umeepekto ang CCT sa tuwing bumababa ang tantos ng kahirapan sa mga serbey ng SWS."

Lumalalang kahirapan at kagutuman

Sa kabilang banda, naniniwala rin ang Kadamay na nagpapatuloy ang pagtaas kapwa ng bilang ng nagugutom at naghihirap sa bansa. Dahil umano ito sa patuloy na pagtalikod ng pamahalaan sa mga programang tunay na makapagpapangat sa kabuhayan ng mga maralita, gaya ng pagtaas ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, at paglikha ng mga lokal na indutriyang magtitiyak ng mga permanenteng trabaho.

Gayundin, dagdag ng grupo, nanatiling pangako pa rin hanggang sa ngayon ang pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga maralitang magsasaka para magkaroon sila ng pagkukunan ng kabuhayan.

"Ang halos 40 bilyong pondo ng CCT sa taong 2012 ay malaki na ang magagawa para itaas ang sahod, makalikha ng mga bagong industriya at mapaunlad ang atrasadong agrikultura sa bansa," banggit ni Arellano.

"Kaduda-duda ang pagbaba ng tantos ng kahirapan mula 52% o 10.4 milyong Pilipino noong Setyembre 2011, patungong 45% o 9.1 milyon ng Disyembre 2011, sa kabila ng walang habas na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo at bilihin sa huling kwarto ng nakaraang taon," pinunto ni Arellano.

Safeguard measure

Ayon pa sa militanteng grupo, imbis umano na solusyunan ng CCT ang laganap na kahirapan, nagsisislbing proteksyon o safeguard measure lang ang nasabing programa ng administrasyong Aquino para pigilan ang lumalawak na galit at diskontento ng mga maralitang Pilipino bialng epekto ng lumalalang lokal at pandaigdigang krisis sa ekonomiya. "Walang ibang layunin ang CCT kundi ang pagtiyak na makapanatili si Aquino sa pwesto, at ang umiiral na mapang-aping sistema," ani Arellano.

'Bilang isang pantawid na programa kontra-kahirapan, kalaunan ay poproblamahin ng papalit sa administrasyong Aquino at ng sambayanang Pilipino ang paglikha ng isang epektibong 'exit strategy' mula sa CCT para milyung-milyong pamilyang benepisyaryo ng programa," babala ng grupo.

Patuloy ang panawagan ng Kadamay para sa kagyat na pagbasura sa CCT, at nangako itong pakikilusin ang libu-libong maralita sa kalunsuran upang kakalampagin sa mga darating na mga araw ang mga opisina ng DSWD at ng National Anti-Poverty Commission para itulak silang magbalangakas ng mga konkretong hakbang upang sugpuin ang lumalalang kahirapan sa bansa. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

On Aquino regime's remorseless rampage vs Filipino urban poor

2012-02-02T09:57:00.002+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT
1 February 2012

This government has once again spelt its violence against the urban poor sector.

We condemn the brutal dispersal of protesting urban poor at Quezon City Hall on Monday who had only wanted to voice out their opinion, without any intention to neither harm anybody nor destroy any property.

Such spate of violence unleashed by the Philippines National Police under the DILG with consent of Mayor Herbert Bautista is no different from the use of water cannon and tear gas against barricading residents in San Juan City earlier this month.

Undoubtedly, these incidents only teach our man and women, children and aged to revolt against the system that has treated us not just criminals, but animals.

We condemn the harrowing reality that this government has been intensifying its campaign against millions of its very own citizens, to the extent of tagging as 'professional squatters' those who cannot afford their own space in the cities all because of their measly income despite enduring the hardest forms of labor and inhuman working conditions.

That while it has offered every piece of land of this country to the exploit of big foreign corporations and investors, it has also done all its effort, including arson, forced eviction and deception to drive urban poor dwellers from their communities.

Worse, it has conditioned us to believe that development can only be perceives in the form of skyscraper cities, through the use of mass media and the formal education. It has made us believe that billions of taxpayers' money and foreign loans used in constructing high buildings, long roads and bridges, and in funding its dole-out program are but amount well-spent.

For all the violence, suffering and discrimination that we endure from the government’s demolition rampage on urban poor communities, we account the blame and liability directly to the highest leader of the state, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

While the urban population grows in thousands every day, and while a genuine land reform that could have decelerate urban migration and address the widespread poverty remains so elusive under the landlord-Aquino regime, we vow to educate, organize and mobilize every urban poor to call for significant change.

With every attempt of this government to rob us of our shelter, livelihood, and dignity, we vow to fail them, and we will stand our ground, with every defensive blow we can give, and every pain that our families can endure.

We will lead to success every people’s barricade against demolition of our homes. ##

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Filipino Urban Poor
Reference: Carlito Badion, national vice chair (0939.387.3736)

TRO sa demolisyon sa buong bansa, ipinanawagan ng mga maralita sa mga mahestrado ng Korte Suprema

2012-01-30T10:03:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
30 January 2012

Kasabay ng marahas ng pagbuwag sa protesta ng mga maralita sa Quezon City Hall, nagsagawa ng pangangalampag ang iba't-ibang grupo sa ilalim ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa tanggapan ng Korte Suprema sa Padre Faura ngayong umaga.

Banggit ng grupo, "Dapat matagal nang nakialam ang Korte Suprema sa mga nagaganap na malalang kaso ng paglabag sa karapatan ng mga maralita dulot ng walang habas na demolisyon na ipinapatupad ng rehimeng Aquino."

Ani Carlito Badion, pambansang pangalawang tagapangulo ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihihirap (Kadamay) at tumatayong lead convenor ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, "Sa dami rin ng mga kasong nakabimbin sa Korte Suprema at sa mga regional trial court hinggil sa usapin sa paninirahan, dapat kaagad mag-issue ang Korte Suprema ng isang 'temporary restraining order laban sa mga nagaganap na demolisyon sa buong bansa.'

"Dapat ulitin at paramihin pa ng Korte Suprema ang mga desisyon na pabor sa mga nakararaming maralita sa bansa, kagaya naging desisyon nito sa kaso ng Hacienda Luisita," dagdag pa ni Badion.

I-reapeal ang UDHA

Nanawagan din ang mga maralita na i-repeal ng Korte Suprema ang RA 7279 o Urban Development and Housing Act, ang batas na umano'y ginagamit ng kasalukuyang administrasyon para itaboy ang higit sa isang milyong maralitang pamilya sa buong bansa patungo sa mga 'kalbaryong relokasyon'.

Nakilahok sa nasabing pagkilos ang mga grupo ng maralita mula sa North Triangle, at iba pa mula sa mga komunidad na nahaharap sa iba't-ibang banta ng demolisyon. Kabilang din sa pagkilos ang mga relocatees na mula sa Montalban, Rizal.

'Demolition King'

Pagkatapos sa Korte Suprema ay inaasahang tumulak ang grupo patungong Mendiola para naman singilin ang pangulong kung tawagin nila ay 'Demolition King'.

Ayon kay Badion, hindi nila hahayaang maulit ang mga mararahas na demolisyon kagaya ng naganap sa San Juan. Nananawagan sila kay Aquino na itigil na ang 'kahibangan' nito sa pagbibigay ng mga lupain sa bansa sa kamay ng mga dayuhan, habang winawasak naman ang mga kabahayan, at inilalayo sa pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan ang mga maralita.

'Collateral Damage'
Ayon pa kay Badion, "Sa Public-Private Partnership ni Aquino, nagiging 'collateral damage' ang mga maralita para sa kaunlaran na pakikinabangan lamang ng mga dayuhan at iilang negosyante sa bansa." ###

ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, Lead Convenor (0939.387.3736)

Mga maralita, muling dinahas sa isang pagkilos para sa paninirahan, iginiit sa Korte Suprema ang TRO laban sa demolisyon

2012-01-29T10:05:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
29 January 2012

Dinahas ng mga kapulisan ang nasa 50 kasapi ng militanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap(Kadamay)-Quezon City Chapter na nagsagawa ng isang kilos-protesta sa may flagpole ng Quezon City Hall.

Apat na raliyista ang tinangkang hulihin, at isa ang inaresto dahil sa paggigiit ng grupo na makapagprograma sa harap mismo ng Legislative Building upang manawagan sa konseho ng isang tigil-demolisyon sa lungsod.

Ayon kay Sisel Cari, "Ang naganap na pandarahas ay nagpapakita lamang ito sa bangis ng mga pamahalaang panlugsod laban sa mga maralitang nahaharap sa iba't-ibang banta ng pagpapalayas sa komunidad."

Ayon kay Sisel Cari, chairperson ng Kadamay-QC, “Ang lungsod Quezon ay tumatayong epicenter ng kaunlaran sa buong bansa, ngunit kaakibat nito ang malawakang pagpapalayas sa mga maralita ng lungsod mula sa kanilang mga komunidad.”

PPP Projects

Diumano, kalakhan sa mga proyekto na saklaw ng programang Public-Private Partnership ng administrasyong Aquino ay planong ipatupad sa QC, kabilang na dito ang Quezon City-Central Business District District (QC-CBD), C5-North Extension Project, National Government Center (West and Eastside Development Projects), Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project, C5-North Extension Project at MRT 7.

Marami ring mga kabahayan sa tabing–estero sa lungsod ang tatamaan ng clering operation ng pamahalaan sa pagpapatupad nito ng Pasig River Rehabilitation Project. Pawang prayoridad diumano ng pambansang pamahalaan, katuwang ang pamahalaang panlungsod ang pagpapalayas sa mga naakatira sa Damayang Lagi, Bagong Silangan at mga maliliit na estero sa lungsod.

Ayon naman kay Carlito Badion, lead convenor ang Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, ang malalang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga maralita ay kinukonsente ng pamahalaan. Binira ng grupo ang bagong direktiba ng DILG na naglayong magtayo ng mga local committee against professional squatter and squatting syndicate.

Pambansang tigil-demolisyon

Kasabay ng protesta ng Kadamay-QC, nangalampag naman ang iba pang mga grupo ng maralita at taga-suporta nila sa ilalim ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa labas ng Korte Suprema sa Maynila.

Nagsumite sila ng sulat na naglalayong makipagdayalogo sa SC administration para mag-isyu ang mga mahestrado ng isang Temporary Restraining Order laban sa lahat ng demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad sa buong bansa.

Ayon pa kay Badion, patuloy ang pananalasa ng 'Demolition King' na nasa sa Malacanang sa paninirahan at kabuhayan ng mga maralita dahil sa pagiging sunud-sunuran umano nito sa interes ng mga dayuhan at lokal na negosyante. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Sisel Cari, Kadamay QC chairperson (09228761807)
Carlito Badion, Kadamay national chairperson, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

'Llamas's recent fiasco exposes Akbayan, Aquino politics'—urban poor group

2012-01-29T01:13:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
29 January 2012

"The nation has witnessed not only once but twice an evidently shameful fiasco shown by the ruling faction in Philippine politics."

This is the statement of militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on the reported purchase of pirated DVDs in an ‘illegal market’ in QC by Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs and current Akbayan president Ronald Llamas, whom is group has referred to as its 'best and finest' offer to the government.

"More than saying a statement on the bankrupt ideology of the leadership of Akbayan, and of the Aquino government, we, in particular, are worried over the ineptitude of Presidential Political Adviser in handling the country’s internal political affairs," Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general said.

On the peace process

The militant group is very pessimistic that the ongoing peace negotiations between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH), in which Llamas as political adviser is an active participant, will not end the forty three years of Maoist insurgency in the country.

"Critical works related to the peace process should not be left on the hands of those who cannot even comprehend as simple as anti-piracy campaign and as intricate as the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG)," Arellano added.

The refusal of the GPH to release detained NDFP consultants and other individuals protected under the JASIG has been the major obstacle to the continuation of the peace talks.

According to the Kadamay, Llamas recent fiasco reminds them of top-general in the previous administration and now law-fugitive Jovito Palparan Jr. who admitted of not having knowledge on CARHRIHL.

"Gradually, this Akbayan-influenced, landlord-backed Aquino administration will unveil itself as no different from previous administrations which were inutile, if not directly responsible, in resolving the prevalent poverty that inflicts millions of Filipinos," Arellano stressed.

Real similarities

One of the similarities, according to the group, between Akbayan and the Aquino administration is their ‘sabotage’ of the achievement of a genuine agrarian reform program the country so much needs.

Akbayan-authored, and now Aquino's flagship program on agrarian reform, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPEr) has never resolved the problem of landlessness in the countryside, while it has empowered landlords more to maintain their possession of vast lands including Hacienda Lusita in Tarlac.

The urban poor group pointed out that the faulty land reform program has greatly contributed to a high rate of urban migration and poverty in the country.###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

Kadamay warns US-PH mil exercises to escalate West PH Sea tension [Groups call to scrap VFA ]

2012-01-28T14:17:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
28 January 2012

"The intensified joint military exercises in the West Philippine Sea off Palawan coasts only suggest an impending war for the gas-rich Spratly Islands."

This is the statement of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), an urban poor group who calls for the immediate scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement between the US and the Philippines, to counter the warmongering scheme of the US government.

Several militant groups troop to the US embassy this morning to rally against the seeming US intervention in the Philippine military and political affairs.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary said, "The US faltering economy has survived in the last decade by stirring up wars in Iraq, Afghanistan at Libya at the expense of the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives."

Impending war

The group also said that since Aquino's statement during last Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, where he made a declaration on the presence of a bounty natural gas field underneath the Spartlys, the situation in the West Philippine Sea has been very alarming, and there “is an urgent need to end VFA to prevent war from coming into our shores," Arellano added.

Kadamay is also wary of the visits of US envoys to the country that had been thrice in the last 10 months. The last was Senator John McCain, a member of Senate Armed Services Committee, who visited Aquino with three other US Senators this month.

News said that the US wants to intensify its 'joint-military training' with Filipino soldiers, reportedly as part of the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan.

Yesterday, the Department of National Defense (DND) has identified 138 military contracts worth P70 billion that include the acquisition of fighter jets, warships and modern equipment to boost the depleted military assets especially of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy.

"We need not look into the US bases in Australia and Singapore to see the presence of US military, as the warships that will soon dock on the Palawan coast would carry Filipino soldiers manned by the US military," Arellano pointed out.

VFA's constitutionality questioned

Since its approval in 1999, the Supreme Court had junked twice petitions led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to junk the said agreement.

Kadamay added that since VFA was approved, the bilateral agreement has already incurred scores of lives of Filipino soldiers who fought in different US-led war of aggressions.

"We call on the Supreme Court, whose credibility is now on the grill, to declare VFA 'unconstitutional', Arellano said.

As to the president, "Aquino's shooting hobby should be confined within the firing range," Arellano addressed. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Malaking pagkilos sa Lunes, ikakasa sa Korte Suprema at Mendiola laban demolisyon ng mga komunidad ng maralita

2012-01-27T14:18:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
27 January 2012

Naghahanda na ang mga grupo ng maralitang lungsod sa Kamaynilaan at mga taga-suporta nila sa ilalim ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon para sa isang pagkilos patungong Korte Suprema at Mendiola sa Lunes. Mananawagan sila gubyerno ng pambansang tigil-demolisyon laban sa tumitinding atake sa kanilang mga tirahan at kabuhayan.

Lalahok sa nasabing pagkilos ang iba't-ibang grupo ng maralita kabilang na ang mga residente ng North Triangle, Corazon de Jesus, at iba pang grupo sa panguguna ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

Giit ng mga maralita sa Korte Suprema na mag-iisyu ng Temporary Restraining Order sa mga proyekto sa ilalim ng programang Public-Private Partnership. "Ang PPP ni Aquino ang nasa likod ng malawakang pagpapalayas sa mga maralita mula sa kanilang komunidad," ayon kay Carlito Badion, lead convenor ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon.

"Upang ipakita ni Corona na siya ay isang tunay na public servant, dapat isalawang-bisa ng Korte Suprema ang National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS) na nilikha ng isang executive order ni Arroyo, at ipinagpapatuloy naman ng kasalukyang gubyerno. Ito diumano'y may layuning masawata ang problema ng squatting sa bansa," dagdag ni Badion.

'Collateral Damage'
Ayon pa kay Badion, "Sa Public-Private Partnership ni Aquino, nagiging 'collateral damage' ang mga maralita at ang kanilang kabahayan para sa kaunlaran na pakikinabangan lamang ng mga dayuhan at iilang negosyante."

Ani Badion, "Ang bulok na programa ng gubyerno sa pabahay na nanatiling mga off-city relocation na walang kabuhayan at serbisyong panlipunan ang dahilan ng pagbalik ng mga nag-relocate. Walang karapatan ang gubyerno na ikriminalisa ang mga bumabalik ng mga relocatees at tawagin silang mga professional squatter, hangga't hindi inaayos ng National Housing Authority ang programa ng gubyerno sa pabahay."

Dagdag pa niya, "Kung meron mang mga nagnenegosyo mula sa pag-iiskwater na tinatawag nitong 'squatting syndicate', sila ay iilang grupo lang, at kadalasan ay may koneksyon pa sila sa mismong pamahalaan."

Local committes vs professional squatting
Binira rin ng grupo ang panawagan ni DILG Secretary Rodredo sa mga lider ng mga lungsod at mga munisipyo sa buong bansa na lumikha ng mga local committees laban sa mga professional squatters at squatting synidicate.

Ayon kay Robredo, binibigyan ng mandato sa Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) o RA 7279 ang mga lokal na opisyal para sawatain ang problema sa squatting.

Ngunit tugon ni Badion, "Batay sa inilabas na pag-aaral ng DILG noong Mayo 2011, na nagsasaad na hindi epektibo bilang sagot ang off-city relocation sa problema sa pabahay ng maralitang lungsod, dapat ay naiintindihan na ni Robredo ang kalagayan sa mga relocation site, kung kaya't bumabalik sa lungsod ang mga tinatawag nilang 'professional squatters'.

"Ang panawagang ito ni Robredo ay magbibigay lamang ng higit pang kapangyarihan sa mga LGU para magsagawa ng malalalang paglabag sa karapatan ng mga maralita kagaya ng ginawa ng mga Ejercito sa mga residente ng San Juan," pinunto ni Badion.

Mas matinding depensa
Nagbanta naman ang grupong Kadamay na kakaharapin ng gubyerno ang mas matindi pang paglaban ng mga maralita sa mga plano nitong demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad sa buong bansa.

"Higit pa sa ipinakita ng mga maralita ng San Juan ang barikadang-bayan na sasalubong sa gubyerno sa bawat pagtatangka nitong wasakin ang aming mga tirahan at kabuhayan," ayon kay Leona Sarsuela, pambansang tagapangulo ng Kadamay.

Pambansang tigil-demolisyon
Pagkatapos sa Supreme Court ay tutungo naman ang mga maralita sa Mendiola para manawagan kay Pangulong Aquino ng isang 'indefinite moratorium on demolition'.

Binira rin ng grupo ang kawalang-pakialam ng ni Aquino sa naganap na marahas na demolisyon sa San Juan. "Ang kanyang pananahimik ay pagkumpirma lamang na siya ang isang tunay na 'Demolition King' at kalaban ng mulyung-milyong maralitang Pilipino," ani Zarsuela. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Leonila Zarsuela, Kadamay national chairperson (0912.649.0392)

Urban poor group calls to nationalize oil industry

2012-01-25T14:21:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
25 January 2012

MANILA, Philippines--"Sec. Almendras' effort remains lacking, and only defends the very existence of foreign companies who amass billions of pesos from the poor Filipinos."

This is the statement of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on the approval by Sec. Jose Rene Almendras to put a ceiling on the profits of oil companies operating in the Philippines.

In September last year, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed Senate Bill 2959 proposing a 12 percent cap on the annual profits of oil companies.

Kadamay strongly rejected the proposed bill for "it is only a greed-moderation mechanism, as how senator-author has called it."

"Why give the greedy oil companies any chance at all to take part of the measly wage and income of poor Filipinos?" Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano asked.

"The only way to end the greed of the oil companies is to kick them away to countries where they came from, and nationalize the oil industry," Arellano added.

The group recently slammed the Department of Energy's E-Trike program which the agency claimed could buffer the effect of unabated oil price hikes, and accused the government of diverting itself from the oil problem in the country.

This morning, militant groups will storm the South Gate of Batasan Complex to remind the congressmen of their promise to review the Oil Deregulation Law, which according to the groups has legitimized the overpricing and extensive profiteering by oil companies.

Kadamay encouraged the urban poor sector and the public to join coming people's protests to bring to its knees what it claimed as the "obvious collusion” between the oil cartel and the Aquino administration.

Kadamay will also hold localized protest actions in urban poor communities in the coming days as the price of petroleum products and the profit of oil companies keep on soaring, completely unguarded by the government. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general (09213927457)

Grupo ng maralita, nanawagang isabansa ang industriya ng langis

2012-01-25T14:20:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
25 January 2012

"Kapus na kapos ang hakbangin ni Energy Secretay Almendra, at pinagtatanggol pa nito ang presensya ng mga dayuhang oil companies sa bansa na nagkakamal ng bilyun-bilyong piso mula sa maralitang Pilipino."

Ito ang pahayag ng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) sa naging pagsang-ayon ni Sec. Jose Rene Almedras sa mungkahing paglalagay ng ceiling o limit sa kita ng mga higanteng kompanya ng langis sa bansa.

Noong Setyembre nakaraang taon, nag-file si Senator Trillanes IV ng Senate Bill 2929 na nagtatakda ng 12% cap sa annual profit ng mga oil companies.

Mariin namang kinondena ng Kadamay ang nasabing panukalang batas dahil umano ito'y isang pagkokontrol lang sa kasakiman ng mga dayuhang kumpanya o 'greed-moderation'.

Ani Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng grupo, "Bakit pa natin bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga oil companies na makiparte sa napakaliit nang kita ng mga maralitang Pilipino?"

Ayon kay Arellano, "Ang tanging paraan para matigil ang kaswapangan ng mga oil companies ay ang pagtataboy sa kanila patungo sa mga pinagmulan nilang bayan, at ang pagsasabansa ng industriya ng langis."

Kamakailan lang ay kinundena rin ng grupo ang programang E-Trike ng Department of Energy sa pahayag ng ahensyang mapapagaan ng nasabing programa ang epekto ng di-mapigilang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa bansa.

Ayon pa sa grupo, dinidistansya ng gubyerno ang sarili nito sa problema sa langis ng bansa.

Ngayong umaga ay magtutungo ang iba't-ibang militanteng grupo, kabilang na ang Kadamay, sa South Gate ng Batasan Complex upang ipaalala sa Kongreso ang pangako nito sa taumbayan na i-review ang Oil Deregulation Law.

Ayon sa mga militante, ang batas na ito umano ang nagliligalisa sa overpricing at talamak na profiteering ng mga dayuhang kumpanya sa langis.

Hinimok din ng Kadamay ang mga maralitang lungsod at ang publiko na makilahok sa mga isasagawang protestang-bayan laban sa umano's "sabwatan ng kartel sa langis at ng administrasyong Aquino".

Maglulunsad din ang grupo ng mga lokalisadong kilos-protesta at pag-iingay sa loob ng mga komunidad ng maralita sa mga darating na mga araw, habang patuloy ang pagsirit ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo, at ng kita ng mga dayuhang oil companies, dahil sa kawalang-aksyon ng pamahalaan.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general (09213927457)

Grupong Kadamay, kinutya ang report na pagbalik sa bansa ni Joma Sison

2012-01-24T14:25:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
24 January 2012

Binira ng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) ang alegasyon ng gubyerno na babalik na sa bansa ang lider ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) na si Jose Maria Sison mula sa self-exile nito Netherlands.

Ayon kay Gloria Arellano, secreatary-general ng Kadamay, ang gawa-gawang pahayag na ito ay nangangahulugan na ng pagtalikod ng gubyerno sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa pag-itan ng NDF at ng Gubyerno ng Pilipinas.

Aniya, "Isang kabaliwan at ‘suntok sa buwan’ ang nilalaman ng intelligence report ng military hinggil sa pagpapaloob ni Joma Sison sa gabinite ni Aquino, at ang intergrasyon ng New People's Army sa AFP."

Taliwas diumano ito sa naisin ng mamamayan na isulong ang Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms o CASER, isang mayor na laman ng naudlot na usapang pangkapayapaan.

Naniniwala ang Kadamay na ang CASER, na sa esensya ay libreng pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga walang lupa at ang pambansang industritalisasyon na malaya sa dikta ng mga neoliberal na patakaran, ang tanging solusyon para maibsan ang laganap na kahirapan sa bansa.

"Hindi seryoso, at walang kakayahan ang administrasyong Aquino na harapin ang lumalang kahirapang dinaranas ng milyun-milyong Pilipino sa bansa," pahayag pa ni Arellano.###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

“Return of Joma Sison, highly inconceivable”—urban poor group “Return of Joma Sison, highly inconceivable”—urban poor group

2012-01-24T14:24:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
24 January 2012

Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) slammed a military report that says National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Chief Consultant Jose Maria Sison will be back in the country soon from his self-exile in the Netherlands.

According to Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano, the unfounded contentions only speak of the Aquino administration’s rebuff of the peace process between the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP).

Arellano added, “The content of the military report is absurd and highly inconceivable, including the alleged accepting by Joma Sison of a cabinet position, as well as the integration of New People’s Army (NPA) members into the ranks of AFP.

“The report suggests the administration’s clear rejection of the demands of the people put forward in the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), the meat of NDFP's proposal to the peace talk.”

Kadamay believes that only through the full-implementation of CASER, that is essentially the free distribution of lands to the landless and a national industrialization program free from the dictates of neoliberal policies, will the local crisis be resolved.

“The Aquino administration is evidently insincere and inept in addressing the worsening poverty experienced by millions of Filipinos,” Arellano said. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general (09213927457)

Urban poor group slams DOE’s E-Trike program

2012-01-23T14:28:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
23 January 2012

A militant urban poor group belied the claim of the Department of Energy that its new E-Trike program could ease the burden felt Filipinos brought by the unabated oil price hikes.

DOE recently launched a nationwide contest to seek for the best design for an electric vehicle that will replace the petroleum-fueled trikes.

“DOE should have considered the high cost of electricity in the country, that is considered to be the highest in Asia, and the fifth highest in the world,” Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano said.

The leader added, “The Aquino administration has kept on diverting itself from the real problem of oil price in the country, and from its promise to the people to review the Oil Deregulation Law (ODL).”

The militants blamed the deregulation policy of the government through the implementation of ODL as behind the unprecedented price hikes on petroleum products, and demanded Aquino for a repeal of the said law.

“The administration has only the Pantawid-Pasada program, and the occasional and minimal rollback on oil prices to boast of, while it amassed millions of pesos from the 12% E-VAT it collected from the oil companies,” Arellano said.

Power rate hike
Meanwhile, Kadamay also slammed the Aquino adminstration’s inaction in the case of the high power rate in the country. “Similar to the function of Oil Deregulation Law, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) has only created the problem with regards to the high cost of electricity in the country,” said Arellano.

“EPIRA has ensured the gradual privatization of Napocor’s assets, and government abandonment of its responsibility to subsidize the power industry. Debt payment, in turn, is left for the consumers to shoulder,” Arellano added.

Harder to make ends meet
The group also claimed that because of the high rate of electricity, and the unabated price hikes on petroleum products, the urban poor find it hard to make ends meet with just an average of P200 daily earning, amount not even enough to buy food and send their children to school.

Kadamay warned the public of impending price hikes on transport fare, services and basic commodities in the coming days, as the Aquino administration continues to defend the ODL and EPIRA, and serves as protector of the interests of the foreign oil cartel, and businesses in the power industry. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of the Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

Urban poor group denies existence of ‘real land reform’ in the country

2012-01-23T14:28:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
23 January 2012

“Until the 6,296 Luisita farmers had the lot title of the Hacienda Luisita lands, there will never be a real land reform in the country.”

This is the statement of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in response to the reaction of Malacanang to the claims of the militant that there has been no real land reform in the country, ever since the tragic Mendiola Massacre 25 years ago.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general, said in a statement that “the swelling urban poor population is a concrete sign of landlessness in the countryside that drives many farmers to seek for livelihood in the cities.”

The rate of urban migration in the country is at record-level, while urban population growth rate is pegged high at 3%, according to an advocacy institution Urban Poor Resource Center in the Philippines (UPRCP). There are approximately 30 million urban poor in the country, according to Kadamay.

"As it was 25 years ago, the landlords have been more empowered than ever, and have preserved the possession of their vast lands, thanks to Cory Aquino's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and its extension program that exists under the Aquino administration, CARPEr," Arellano added.

"CARP and CARPEr have actually given rise to a new breed of landlords who take advantage of the small farmers’ inability to pay the monthly amortization after the issuance of their Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA)," she added.

The militants strongly believe that Supreme Court’s decision last November to redistribute Luisita lands to the farmers is one of the motives behind the attempt to oust the chief justice.

"Aquino will do everything to keep Luisita lands from the farmers, and it will be the same for all the landlords that sit in the highest positions in the land," Arellano added.

Kadamay reiterated its call for a genuine land reform that, essentially, is free distribution of land to landless Filipinos. Unless this is done, urban and rural poverty is bound to worsen in the years to come, according to the group. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of the Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

Grupong Kadamay, pinabulaanan ang pahayag ng Malacanang na may tunay na ‘land reform’ sa bansa

2012-01-23T14:26:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
23 January 2012

“Hangga’t hindi pa nakakamit ng 6,296 magsasaka ng Hacienda Luisita ang titulo ng mga lupang ipapamahagi sa kanila, walang karapatan ang Malacanang na sabihing mayroong tunay na reporma sa lupa sa bansa.”

Ito ang pahayag ng Kadamay hinggil sa deklarasyon ng Malacanang na nagaganap ang isang tunay na reporma sa lupa sa bansa, sa ika-25 anibersaryo ng Mendiola Masaker noong Linggo.

Ayon kay Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay, “Ang patuloy na lumalaking populasyon ng mga maralitang lungod ay tanda ng kawalan ng lupang sakahan sa probinsya na nagtutulak sa milyong magsasaka na maghanap ng ikabubuhay sa kalunsuran.”

Ayon sa Urban Poor Resource Center in the Philippines (URPCP), nasa record-level ang tantos ng urban migration sa bansa, habang ang tantos ng paglaki ng populasyon sa kalunsuran ay nanatiling mataas sa 3%. Ayon naman sa Kadamay, papalo na sa 30 milyong ang bilang ng mga maralitang lungsod sa bansa, at patuloy itong lumalaki kada-taon.

“Kaparehas ng kalagayan 25 taon na ang nakakalipas, ang mga panginoong maylupa ngayon ay higit pang naging makapangyarihan, at napanatili nila ang pag-aari sa malalaking lupain sa bansa,” ani Arellano. Dahil ito umano sa kontra-magsasakang Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) ng administrasyong Cory Aquino, at sa CARPEr na ekstensyon ng CARP ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, naglikha pa nga ang mga nabanggit na programa ng mga bagong sibol ng Panginoong Maylupa na sinasamantala ang kawalang-kakayahan ng mga maliliit na magsasaka na magbayad ng buwanang amortisasyon sa lupa, matapos silang makakuha ng mga Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA).

Naniniwala ang mga militante na ang naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ipamahagi ang lupa ng Luisita sa magsasaka, ay nasa likod ng nagaganap na impeachment ni Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Gagawin ni Aquino ang lahat para hindi mabawi ng mga magsasaka ang lupa ng Luisita mula sa kaniyang pamilya. Ganito rin ang pagnanais ng lahat ng mga panginoong maylupa na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa pinakamatataas na pwesto sa gubyerno,” dagdag pa ni Arellano.

Muling iginiit ng Kadamay ang panawagan ng grupo para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa na sa esensya ay libreng pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga walang lupang Pilipino. Ayon pa sa grupo, hangga’t hindi ito naisasakatuparan, lalala pa ang dinaranas na kahirapan kapwa sa lungsod at kanayunan. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general (09213927457)

Grupo ng maralita, binira ang programang E-Trike ng DOE

2012-01-22T14:30:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
22 January 2012

Pinabulaanan ng militanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) ang binabanggit ng Department of Energy (DOE) na ang bago nitong programang E-Trike ay isang alternatibong solusyon ng mamamayan para sa di-maabatang pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo.

"Walang kaginhawahang idudulot ang e-trike at iba pang de-kuryenteng transportasyon na inilalako ng DOE sa taumbayan kung hindi rin naman nito aaksyunan ang napakataas na halaga ng kuryente sa bansa," ayon kay Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay.

Bagamat nagkaltas na ng 5 sentimos kada kilowatt hour ang Meralco sa singil sa kuryente ngayong Enero, nananatiling pinakamataas pa rin ang power rate ng bansa sa buong Asya, habang panlima naman ito na pinakamataas sa buong mundo.

Dagdag pa ng grupo, "Pilit na nililihis ng gubyerno ang usapin hinggil sa oil price hike, sa halip na kilalanin na ang problema ng maya't-mayang pagtaas sa presyo ng langis ay ang patakarang deregulasyon sa bisa ng batas na Oil Deregulation Law."

"Hindi umano tinupad ni Aquino ang pangako nito sa mamamayan na i-review ang Oil Deregulation Law. Nasasapatan na lang ito sa pantawid-pasada program at sa maliitang price roll back na madalang pa sa patak ng ulan. Nagpapakita lang ito na walang plano ang gubyerno na bunutin ang ugat ng problema sa langis sa bansa," dagdag ni Arellano.

Pribatisasyon ng Napocor
Ayon din sa grupo, inutil diumano ang gubyerno at ang DOE para arestuhin ang napakataas ng presyo ng kuryente sa bansa. Kagaya ng Oil Deregulation Law, ang batas na EPIRA o Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 ang diumano'y nasa likod ng mataas na singil sa kuryente.

"Itinakda ng EPIRA ang unti-unting pribatisasyon ng mga asset ng Napocor, na nagtulak naman sa nasabing kompanya para ipasa ang malaking utang nito sa mga consumer, sa halip na balikatin ito gubyerno," ani Arellano.

Dagdag pa ng lider, "Dulot ng mataas na singil sa kuryente, at ang halos kada-linggong pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo, labis na ang sakripisyo ng maralita. Hirap na silang pagkasyahin ang abereyds na P200 kita nito para sa mga gastusin sa araw-araw, kabilang na ang pagkain at pagpasok ng mga bata sa eskwelahan."

Walang pagpipiliian
"Nanatiling walang pagpipilian ang mga tsuper, pasahero at taumbayan sa de-kuryente man, o de-gasolinang moda ng transportasyon," ani Arellano.

Banta ring ng grupo, "Kakaharapin ng taumbayan ang papamahal pang presyo ng pamasahe at bilihin, hangga't pinapanatili ng administrasyong Aquino ang Oil Deregulation Law at EPIRA, at ang pagiging sunud-sunuran nito sa dikta ng mga dayuhang kartel ng langis at negosyante ng kuryente." ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

'Mendiola Massacre, bound to happen again'--Kadamay

2012-01-22T01:16:00.003+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
22 January 2012

Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has warned that an event as tragic as the 1987 Mendiola Massacre is bound happen again under the US-Aquino Regime, considering the violence that go with the administration's demolition rampage on urban poor communities.

A similar event is to be ensued by the ‘dispecable desire’ of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan to maintain its ownership of the Hacienda Luisita land.

“The clan will do everything, not only the ouster of the Supreme Court head, but the use of brute force to quell the ever louder call of the people to redistribute the lands of Luisita to the farmers,” said Leona Sarzuela, Kadamay national chairperson.

Several urban poor groups joined a commemorative action at the foot of Mendiola Friday for the 25th year of the massacre. The groups cried for justice for the peasants that were razed by bullets on February 22, 1987 under the Cory Aquino administration.

Like mother, like son
“Like mother, like son! Same blood runs in the veins of Aquino and her mother: blood of brutality and greed that has buried millions of Filipinos deep into poverty,” said Sarzuela.

According to her, “The Palace’s inaction and preferred silence on the violent demolition in San Juan are an expression of Aquino’s condonation of the Ejercitos’ brutality. Fascism operates under the skirt of the Aquino administration.”

“No wonder that in the coming days, Aquino will employ the military and police force only to safeguard its possession of the Luisita lands, with the patronage of other landlord clans in the country,” Sarzuela added.

Kadamay vowed to further the commitment of the urban poor sector in the call to redistribute the Luisita land to the farmers, and for the realization of a genuine agrarian reform program in the country.

Roots of poverty
Kadamay said, “The landlessness in the countryside has impelled urban migration and poverty.”

According to Sarzuela, “None of the existing policies and programs of the government has ever solved the issue of landlessness in the country.”

“Cory Aquino’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), and the revitalized version called CARPEr are deemed useless to the farmers, under the Aquino administration.”

“The government’s faulty agrarian reform program only reinforced the custody of big landlords to their lands, and even gave rise to a new breed of landlords who acquired possession of lands that Landbank has forfeited from the small farmers,” Zarsuela added.

Kadamay pointed out, “As long as landlessness in the countryside remains unanswered, people’s upheaval will eventually gain in number and strength as urban and rural poverty worsens.”###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Leona Sarzuela, national chairperson (0912.649.0392)

'Decline in poverty rate, useless amidst oil price hikes,' says urban poor group

2012-01-22T01:16:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
22 January 2012

New survey result that shows poverty rate has gone down will only be futile amidst the unrelenting price hikes on petroleum products, and its backlash on the price of basic commodities."

This is the statement of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on the lack of action of the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Aquino administration, in the light of price hikes by the oil cartel.

Gov’t-oil cartel collusion
The group called on the people not to get by with such inaction, and the evident collusion between the Aquino government and the ‘Big 3’ oil cartel. “Aquino should place the oil problem and the poverty of his people first before his clan’s interest over Luisita.

Kadamay is also pleased by some sectors’ call on Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to resign from his post.

“DOE has only monitored rather than acted on the issue of OPH. It has acted as if everything is normal with regards to these price hikes,” group’s statement said. “The people want to see more from the said agency.”

Overpricing review
The urban poor group also doubted that the scheduled review of the financial statements of six oil players in the country would be done fairly enough to prove the overpricing scheme of the oil cartel.

Still, it expressed its doubt whether the result of the said review would serve the interest of the people. “The economists joining the audit team are open endorsers of neo-liberal policies such as deregulation, which is behind the unabated oil price hikes and the overpricing scheme of the cartels,” the group stressed.

Also, the group said that there is a very small chance for a repeal of Oil Deregulation Law in the Congress, as well as the 12% E-Vat on petroleum products. For this, the group called on the people for more and bigger people strikes to confront the issue.

On its part, Kadamay said it will launch community-based noise barrages and other actions in the coming days to raise public awareness on the ‘collusion between the government and the oil cartel in hoarding millions of pesos from the poor through tax collection and deceptive price hikes.’ ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of the Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria 'Ka Bea' Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Mga grupo ng maralita sa buong bansa, nagkakasa na laban sa pananalasa ng gubyerno sa kanilang tirahan

2012-01-21T01:23:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
21 January 2012

Naghahanda na ang mga grupo ng maralitang lungsod sa buong bansa at mga taga-suporta nila sa ilalim ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon laban sa tumitinding atake ng administrasyong Aquino sa kanilang mga tirahan at kabuhayan. Sa Metro Manila naman, pinaghahandaan ng mga maralita ang isang malaking pagkilos bago matapos ang buwan ng Enero para manawagan kay Chief Justice Renato Corona at sa Malacanang ng isang pambansang 'moratorium' sa demolisyon.

Sa pahayag ng grupo, kinundena nito ang National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS) ng administrasyong Aquino na diumano'y may layuning masawata ang problema ng squatting sa bansa.

Ayon kay Carlito Badion, tagapagsalita ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, magreresulta lang ito sa mas mararahas pang mga kaso ng demolisyon ng kabahayan ng maralita sa mga sentrong lungsod sa buong bansa.

Public-Private Partnership
Dagdag pa ni Badion, "Sa esensya, ang national drive na ito ay ang mismong epekto ng Public-Private Partnership ni Aquino kung saan nagiging 'collateral damage' ang mga maralita at ang kanilang kabahayan para makamit ang kaunlaran na pakikinabangan lamang ng mga dayuhan at iilang negosyante."

Ani Badion, "Ang bulok na programa ng gubyerno sa pabahay na nanatiling mga off-city relocation na walang kabuhayan at serbisyong panlipunan ang dahilan ng pagbalik ng mga nag-relocate. Walang karapatan ang gubyerno na ikriminalisa ang mga bumabalik ng mga relocatees at tawagin silang mga professional squatter, hangga't hindi inaayos ng National Housing Authority ang programa ng gubyerno sa pabahay."

Dagdag pa niya, "Kung meron mang mga nagnenegosyo mula sa pag-iiskwater na tinatawag nitong 'squatting syndicate', sila ay iilang grupo lang, at kadalasan ay may koneksyon pa sila sa mismong pamahalaan."

Local committes vs professional squatting
Binira rin ng grupo ang panawagan ni DILG Secretary Rodredo sa mga lider ng mga lungsod at mga munisipyo sa buong bansa na lumikha ng mga local committees laban sa mga professional squatters at squatting synidicate.

Ayon kay Robredo, binibigyan ng mandato sa Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) o RA 7279 ang mga lokal na opisyal para sawatain ang problema sa squatting.

Ngunit tugon ni Badion, "Batay sa inilabas na pag-aaral ng DILG noong Mayo 2011, na nagsasaad na hindi epektibo bilang sagot ang off-city relocation sa problema sa pabahay ng maralitang lungsod, dapat ay naiintindihan na ni Robredo ang kalagayan sa mga relocation site, kung kaya't bumabalik sa lungsod ang mga tinatawag nilang 'professional squatters'.

"Ang panawagang ito ni Robredo ay magbibigay lamang ng higit pang kapangyarihan sa mga LGU para magsagawa ng malalalang paglabag sa karapatan ng mga maralita kagaya ng ginawa ng mga Ejercito sa mga residente ng San Juan," pinunto ni Badion.

Sa mga darating na araw ay maglulunsad ng protesta ang Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa tanggapan ni DILG Secretary Robredo para kuhanin ang kanyang paliwanag hinggil sa usapin.

Mas matinding depensa
Nagbanta naman ang grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay na kakaharapin ng gubyerno ang mas matindi pang paglaban ng mga maralita sa mga plano nitong demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad sa buong bansa.

"Higit pa sa ipinakita ng mga maralita ng San Juan ang barikadang-bayan na sasalubong sa gubyerno sa bawat pagtatangka nitong wasakin ang aming mga tirahan at kabuhayan," ayon kay Leona Sarsuela, pambansang tagapangulo ng Kadamay.

Pambansang tigil-demolisyon
Nagpahayag din ang Kadamay na bago matapos ang buwan ng Enero, maglulunsad ito kasama ang iba pang grupo sa ilalim ng Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon ng mga malalaking pagkilos patungong Supreme Court at Mendiola para manawagan kay Chief Justice Corona at kay Aquino ng isang pambansang moratorium sa demolisyon.

Samantala, patuloy pa rin ang panawagan ng mga grupo ng maralita para sa suporta sa mga pamilyang ginibaan ng tahanan sa San Juan at tumangging lumipat sa relokasyon sa Montalban. ###

ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, Lead Convenor (0939.387.3736)

[Dahil sa Oil Price Hikes] 'Walang silbi ang datos na bumaba ang bilang ng mahirap'--Kadamay

2012-01-21T01:19:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
21 January 2012

"Walang silbi ang mga datos ng pagbaba ng kahirapan at mga nalikhang trabaho ng gubyerno sa kabila ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo at ng mga bilihin sa lokal na merkado."

Ito ang pahayag ng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) sa kawalang-aksyon ng Department of Energy (DOE) at ng administrasyong Aquino sa sunud-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.

"Hindi mapagtatakpan ng mga dinuktor na datos ang perwisyong hatid ng bawat sentimong pagtaas ng petrolyo at mga bilihin," ani Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay.

Sabwatan sa pagitan ng gobyerno at kartel
Nananawagan ang grupo sa mamamayan na huwag palampasin ang nagaganap na sabwatan sa pagitan ng administrasyong Aquino at ng dayuhang kartel sa langis o Big 3 na binubuo Shell, Petron at Chevron. "Bago sana ang Hacienda Luisita, unahin muna ni Aquino ang mga seryosong problema ng mamamayan gaya ng Oil Price Hikes (OPH)," ani Arellano.

Natuwa ang grupo sa panawagan ng ilan na mag-resign si Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras sapagkat wala naman diumanong nagawa ang ahensiya kundi i-monitor lamang sa halip na aksyunan ang nagaganap na OPH.

Review hinggil sa overpricing
Gayundin umaasa pa rin ang grupo na mapapatunayan ang overpricing sa langis sa isasagawang review ng financial statement ng 6 na kumpanya ng langis sa bansa sa Pebrero 1.

Sa isang banda, may agam-agam pa rin ang grupo kaugnay sa magiging resulta ng nasabing review. Ayon sa Kadamay, "Ang ilang mga ekonomista na kalahok sa nasabing audit team ay tagapamandila ng mga polisiyang pribatisasyon at deregulasyon sa ekonomiya, na siyang ugat ng pagtanggal sa kapangyarihan ng gubryerno kontrolin ang presyo ng langis."

Maliit na porsyento
Gayundin, ayon sa Kadamay, talagang napakaliit ng posibilidad na maibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law (ODL) at ang 12% E-VAT sa langis sa loob ng Kongreso. Kaya't nanawagan ang grupo sa mamamayan na muling palakasin ang mga protesta sa lansangan para ipabasura ang ODL at maalis ang E-Vat sa langis na pinagkukunan ng gubyerno ng multi-milyong piso mula sa paghihirap ng nakararaming Pilipino.

Sa bahagi nito, maglulunsad ang Kadamay sa darating na mga araw ng pangangalampag ng mga mobile propaganda teams (MPT) sa loob mga komunidad ng maralita para ipaunawa sa publiko ang pandarayang ginawa sa kanila ng gubyerno at ng mga dayuhang kartel ng langis. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sento ng Maralitang Lungsod sa PIlipinas
Reference: Gloria 'Ka Bea' Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

'Mendiola Masaker, hindi malayong maulit sa ilalim ng administrasyong Aquino'--Kadamay

2012-01-21T01:18:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
21 January 2012

Nagbabala ang grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) na hindi malayong maulit ang makasaysayang Mendiola Masaker sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Aquino kung titingnan ang pagtutulak nito ng mga madudugong demolisyon ng kabahayan ng mga maralitang lungsod.

Gayundin, ibubunsod din ang isang kaparehas na insidente ng matinding pag-aasam ng pamilya Cojuangco-Aquino na mabaligtad ang naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ipamahagi ang lupain ng Hacienda Luista sa mga magsasaka.

"Gagawin ni Aquino ng lahat, hindi lamang ang pagpapatalsik sa chief justice ng Korte Suprema, maging ang paggamit ng dahas upang supilin ang malakas na panawagan ng mamamayan para tuluyang ipamahagi ang lupain ng Luisita sa mga magsasaka," ayon kay Leona Sarzuela, lider ng grupo.

Kahapon, nakiisa ang mga maralita sa Kamaynilaan sa paggunita sa ika-25 taong anibersaryo ng Mendiola Masaker. Nanawagan ang Kadamay para sa pagkamit ng mailap na hustisya para sa mga magsasakang pinaulanan ng bala sa paanan ng Mendiola noong Pebrero 22, 1987 sa ilalim ng administrasyong Cory Aquino.

'Like mother, like son'
"Like mother, like son. Iisang dugo ang dumadaloy sa mag-ina: ang dugo ng pasismo at kasakiman na nagpapahirap sa milyun-milyong Pilipino," ani Sarzuela.

Diumano, "Ang kawalang aksyon ng Palasyo sa brutal na demolisyon ng mga maralita sa Corazon de Jesus, at pagkonsinti sa brutalidad ng ng mga Ejercito ay tanda ng pasismo ng kasalukyang administrasyon."

"Hindi na nakakapagtaka na sa darating na mga araw ay mauulit ang isang kagaya ng Mendiola Masaker gamit ang kapulisan at militar, sa patuloy na pag-aangkin ng Cojuangco sa lupain sa Hacienda Luisita," ani Sarzuela.

Nangako ang grupo na higit pang pag-iibayuhin ang pagsuporta ng sektor ng maralitang lungsod sa mga protesta para matiyak ang pamamahagi ng lupain ng Hacienda Luisita sa mga magsasaka, at sa pagsusulong ng tunay na reporma sa bansa.

Ugat ng kahirapan
Ani Sarzuela, ang kawalan ng pag-aaring lupang sakahan ang nagtutulak sa daan-daang libong Pilipino kada-taon na tumungo sa mga sentrong lungsod upang maghanap ng ikabubuhay.

Diumano, parehas na inutil ang Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) sa panahon ni Cory Aquino, at ang CARPEr sa ilalim kasalukyang administrasyon.

"Walang nagawa ang mga batas na ito para solusyunan ang problema sa lupa sa bansa. Higit pa nitong binigyan ng kapangyarihan ang mga haciendero para mangamkam ng mga bagong lupain mula sa maliliit na magsasaka, at panatilihin ang kanilang pag-aari sa lupa, kagaya ng nagaganap ngayon sa Hacienda Luista," diin ni Sarzuela.

Ayon sa Kadamay, "Hangga't hindi naipapatupad ang isang tunay na programa ng repormang agraryo, titindi pa at lalawak ang pag-aaklas ng mamamayan sa patuloy na paglala ng kahirapan sa lungsod at kanayunan." ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Leona Sarzuela, pambansang taga-pangulo (0912.649.0392)

2012-01-20T01:21:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE
20 January 2012

Grupong Kadamay, hinamon si Corona na ibasura ang VFA sa pagitan ng US at Pilipinas

Hinamon ng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) si Chief Justice Corona na ipawalang-bisa ang Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) na nakabalangkas sa Mutual Defense Treaty sa pagitan ng Estados Unidos at ng Pilipinas.

Dalawang beses ng iniakyat sa Korte Supremo ang kaso ng pagsasawalang-bisa sa VFA simula ng lagdaan ito noong 1999 ng mga senador. Dalawang beses din itong ibinasura sa mataas na hukuman.

Ang pahayag ng grupo ay sa kabila ng tatlong-araw na pagbisita ni US Senator John McCain sa bansa para diumano'y mamagitan sa pag-aayos ng gulo sa West Philippine Sea, at ng patuloy na panggigipit sa punong mahistrado ng World Bank na kontrolado ng US.

"Napapanahon para kay Corona na ideklarang 'unconstitutional' ang VFA upang maipakita sa taumbayan na nagsisilbi siya sa interes nito," ani Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay .

Ayon pa kay Arellano , "Ang muling pagbisita sa bansa ng delegado mula sa US na ikatlong beses na sa loob ng isang taon, gayundin ang madalas na pagpunta ni Aquino sa US ay napapakita ng pagtindi ng interbensyson ng US sa pulitika ng bansa."

"Target diumano ng US na magkaroon ng mas malakas na impluwensya sa Asia-Pacific region, bilang isang paraan upang maisalba ang naghihingalo nitong ekonomiya, at kontrolin ang paglakas ng bansang Tsina," ayon kay Arellano.

Napipintong gyera sa West Philippine Sea
Nagbanta rin ang grupo kay Aquino na seryosohin ang posibilidad na maipit ang bansa kapag naglunsad ang US ng gyera laban sa Tsina sa West Philippine Sea, gamit ang isyu ng Spratly Islands.

Nagawa na diumano ng US na maipwesto ang lakas pandigma nito sa bansa, sa pamamagitan ng kunwaring pagpapalakas ng 'naval defense' ng Pilipinas, at pagbebenta ng mga naval cutters sa gubyerno.

"Naka-istasyon na ang mga barkong pandigma ng US sa South China Sea lulan ang mga sundalong Pinoy na kumukuha ng atas mula sa US military," ani Arellano.

Kinundena rin ng grupo ang mga nagaganap na 'joint military exercises' ng mga Kano at Pilipinong sundalo sa baybayin ng Palawan.

Panawagan kontra VFA at MDT
Nanawagan ang grupo sa mamamayan na pahigpitan ang laban ng pagbasura sa VFA, at sa Mutual Defense Treaty sa pagitan ng US at Pilipinas na nilagdaan pa noong 1951 at nagsasaad na magsusupurtahan ang dalawang bansa sakaling aatake ang sinumang panlabas na partido. "Liban sa pagyurak sa soberanya ng bansa, walang diumanong pakinabang at marami pang naitalang negatibong epekto ang mga nabanggit na kasunduan sa mga Pilipino," ayon kay Arellano.

Nanawagan naman ang Kadamay sa gubyerno na resolbahin ang gusot sa West Philippine Sea sa pamamagitan ng mga bilateral talk sa mga bansang nagki-claim sa Spratly Islands, labas sa eksena ang Estados Unidos. ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Mga maralita, magmamartsa pa-Mendiola isang linggo matapos ang marahas na demolisyon sa San Juan

2012-01-18T22:08:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 January 2012

Isang linggo matapos ang marahas na demolisyon sa Brgy. Corazon de Jesus sa San Juan, pangungunahan ng mga residente ng North Triangle ang hanay ng mga maralita na magpoprotesta ngayong umaga, ganap na alas-10 ng umaga, patungong Mendiola.

Ayon sa Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon (AKD), ang grupong tumawag kay Pangulong Aquino na 'demolition king,' ang pagkilos ngayong umaga ay protesta sa diumano'y marahas na atake ng rehimeng US-Aquino sa kabahayan ng mga maralita.

Ani Carlito Badion, tagapagsalita ng grupo, kapansin-pansin na hindi kailanman nagbigay ng pahayag ang Malacanang kaugnay sa marahas na demolisyon sa San Juan. Diumano, "nangangahulugan lang ito ng pangungunsinte, kundi man direktang pakikipagsabwatan ni Aquino sa pamilya Ejercito."

"Manangot nang mahal sa taumbayan ang administrasyong Aquino sa ipinapatupad nitong malawakang demolisyon ng mga kabahayan ng maralitang lungsod sa buong bansa," dagdag ni Badion.

Kasama ng grupo ang Akap Bata Partylist at Gabriela na kinondena naman ang naging epekto ng naganap na demolisyon sa mga bata at kababaihan partikular sa Corazon de Jesus.

Ibasura ang UDHA!
Kikilos din ngayong araw ang iba't-ibang samahan ng mga maralita sa buong Metro Manila na kasapi ng AKD, para manawagan ng pagbasura sa batas na RA 7279 o Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) na diumano'y nasa likod ng bulok na programa ng gubyerno sa pabahay.

Mas kilala ang UDHA bilang 'Lina Law' na ipinasa noong Marso 24, 1992. Ayon kay Badion, 20 taon matapos maisabatas ang UDHA, sa halip na solusyunan ay higit pang lumala ang kalagayan sa paninirahan sa bansa.

Ayon sa datos ng HUDCC, sa kasalukuyan, aabot na sa 3,756,072 ang bilang ng pangangailangan sa housing units. Higit kalahating milyon dito ay para sa mga maralita na nasa NCR.

Kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng gubyerno ng mga programang pangkaunlaran sa ilalim ng Public-Private Partnership, mas dumalas at mas naging marahas ang pagpapalayas sa mga maralita sa kanilang mga komunidad.

Ani Badion, "nagiging legal at katanggap-tanggap ang pagtatapon sa mga maralita sa mga malalayong relokasyon dahil sa UDHA." Inaalisan din diumano nito ng karapatan ang mga maralita na makinabang sa planong "urban development" ng pamahalaan.

Indefinite moratorium on demolition, ipatupad!
Maliban sa pagsusulong sa HB 5443, isang panukalang batas sa Mababang Kapulungan na layong magbasura sa UDHA, mananawagan din ang grupo para sa "indefinite moratorium on demolition" sa buong bansa.

Gayundin, tinuran ni Badion na "hangga't hindi nalilikha ng gubyerno ang mga trabaho para sa higit 30 milyong maralitang lungsod sa bansa, at naipatutupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa sa kanayunan, patuloy na magsisiksikan ang mga maralita sa maliit na espasyo sa lungsod, at higit pang titindi ang problema sa pabahay ng mamamayan." ###

ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

Grupo, nagbabala sa panghihimasok ng US sa impeachment case

2012-01-18T21:59:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 January 2012

Nagpahayag ng babala sa mamamayan ang grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay hinggil sa posibleng panghihimasok ng Estados Unidos sa pagusad ng impeachment case ni Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Diumano, isang matibay na ebidensya nito ang pag-amin ng World Bank, isang insititusyong kontrolado ng US, sa paglalabas ng report hinggil sa Judicial Reform Support Project (JSRP) kung saan nakita bangko ang ilang katiwalian sa paggastos ng pondo nito. Ang report na ito ay ginagamit din ngayon ng prosekusyon para idiin ang punong mahistrado.

"Hindi maikakailang pumusisyon na ang US sa kasagsagan ng bangayang pampulitika sa bansa," ayon kay Gloria Arellano, secretary-general ng Kadamay.

"Bagamat kami ay pabor sa pagpapatalsik kay Corona, mariin pa ring nanawagan ang Kadamay sa mamamayan na maging mas mapagbanatay sa panibago na namang kaso ng panghihimasok ng US sa mga internal na usapin ng Pilipinas," dagdag pa ng lider.

Ayon pa sa grupo, napapanahon ang pagsulpot ng JRSP report mula sa World Bank, na makalipas pa ang sampung taong implementasyon ng nasabing proyekto.

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, "Ang JRSP ay maari pang naging paraan ng US para maimpluwensyahan ang mga nagdaan at kasalukuyang Korte Suprema. Ngunit ngayong hindi na nakikita ng US ang pangangailangan kay Corona--na lantaran nang nakikipagbangayan sa ngayo'y pabarito nitong tao sa gubyerno--nagdesisyon ang US na kaagad i-leak sa publiko ang report na magdidiin kay Corona.

Imperyalistang interes

Ayon din sa Kadamay, napakahaba na ng listahan ng mga batas at patakaran ng Pilipinas na mga kontra-mamamayan at pumapabor lamang sa imperyalistang interes ng US.

Kabilang na diumano dito ang ilang mga sikat na kasunduan at batas gaya ng Mutual Defense Treaty Act, Anti-Terrorism Law, Oil Deregulation Law, Contractualization Law, CARPEr at napakarami pang iba na tila hindi ginagalaw ng gubyero at Korte Suprema sa kabila ng labis na pasakit na hatid nito sa mamamayan. "Nagpapakita lang ito diumano na malalim ng nakaugat ang impluwensya ng US sa bansa," hirit ni Arellano.

"Ang makasaysayan at mistulang makamamamayang desisyon ng Korte Suprema para muling ipamahagi ang lupain ng Hacienda Luisita sa mga magsasaka ay naghatid ng pangamba sa US, at sa pagpapatuloy ng mga imperyalistang interes nito sa bansa," ani Arellano.

"Ang pyudal na lipunan at atrasadong ekonomiyang nakabatay sa agrikultura ang salalayan ng pagsasamantala ng imperyalismong US sa sambayanang Pilipino, kaya't gagawin nito ang lahat para maapula ang isang posibleng mitsa ng pamamahagi ng mga lupain sa mga magsasaka sa buong bansa," banggit ni Arellano.

Paalala rin ng lider, "Kung nais natin patalsikin si Corona, gawin natin ito para sa interes ng mamamayan, at hindi bilang pagsunod lamang sa kagustuhan ng pwersang panlabas.

"Hindi talaga nanaisin ng US na lumala pa ang nagaganap na bangayan sa hanay ng mga naghaharing uri sa bansa. Maari itong maglikha ng isang kaguluhang hindi makakayang arestuhin ng US kahit para pa sa sarili nitong kapakinabagan." ###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (09213927457)

Group warns of US 'meddling' in Corona impeachment case

2012-01-18T21:58:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 January 2012

Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) warned of possible US "meddling" in the impeachment proceedings of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona, as evidenced by the World Bank's (WB) "timely" admission of the authenticity of the Judicial Reform Support Project (JRSP) report which forms part of the evidence against the chief justice.

"The United States seems to have taken its side in this political rift," said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary general. "And while by no means do we support Corona, we call on the people to be vigilant against yet another case of US meddling in our internal affairs."

According to the group, it is telling how the report surfaced only now after ten years of the project's existence.

"The JRSP may have been a just a way for the US to exert its influence on the past and present Supreme Courts. But now that it has no more use for Corona -- who's now openly clashing with the the US's new hatchet man here -- it decides to 'leak' this report in order to do away with him," said Arellano.

According to the group, the list of laws and policies in the Philippines favoring 'imperialist' interests has been long enough to show that US intervention runs deep. The landmark, seemingly 'pro-people' decision of the Corona court to finally redistribute Hacienda Luisita has threatened these interests, and the US will move to regain its grip.

"If we are going to remove Corona, let us do it based on the interest of our people, not because of the prodding of an outside force," Arellano said.###

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (0921.392.7457)

Urban poor groups decry 'poor-bashing' by government, media [JV, Mike Enriquez hit; non-ownership of land no 'blanket authority' to evict]

2012-01-18T21:57:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 JANUARY 2012

An urban poor group and an anti-demolition network assailed Wednesday what it calls "poor-bashing" by government and some media men in the wake of the violent San Juan demolition last week.

"The San Juan victims were not only hurt by the literal strikes and kicks by the demolition team members; they were as much abused by the insensitive and misguided statements and commentary made by the government and a number of media members that covered the incident," said Gloria Arellano, secretary-general of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

'Ejercito will pay'
Kadamay, the militant center of urban poor in the country, responded to San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito's "false statement" that the 'professional activists' instigated the violence.

"Does he imply that his constituents are stupid, and are swayed easily by any outsiders?" Arellano asked.

"In fact, it is the residents who militantly defended their homes, with the help of supporters that they invited," Arellano said. "Ejercito must be ashamed that his constituents called for the support from other people rather than from their own local officials?"

The urban poor group underscored how the San Juan solon "made up lies, and childishly blamed the militants to cover up his men's brutality and gross violation of human rights."

The demolition, Arellano noted, has only made the San Juan people regret electing a representative that eventually acts against the interests of his constituents.

"We will make sure that this crime will have its toll on the political career of the Ejercitos, and JV's senatorial bid in 2013," the militant group warned.

Insensitive remarks
Meanwhile, anti-demolition network Alyansa Kontra Demolition (AKD) deplored how some media members reacted "in a very biased way" against the urban poor in the coverage of the San Juan demolition last week.

AKD particularly pinpointed Mike Enriquez, a GMA-7 executive, primetime news anchor and radio commentator for his "insensitive remarks" on air.

Over his radio program after the demolition, Enriquez remarked in Filipino: "They [the residents] think that it is the government’s responsibility to feed them, give them shelter while they do nothing."

"Such a statement lacks critical analysis and is very one-sided, and infuriated quite a number of urban poor listeners," Carlito Badion, AKD convenor, pointed out. "Perhaps unbeknownst to Enriquez, the urban poor are among the most hardworking of Filipinos, but they barely make enough to feed their families, let alone avail of decent housing.

"Instead of making false presumptions about the poor, he should be demanding the government to create job opportunities and increase the wages of workers," Badion added.

The group called on the attention of GMA Network to teach Enriquez "fairness, sensitivity and critical analysis of issues", and demanded an apology from the journalist.

AKD also offered the newscaster and other "unenlightened" journalists a tour of the Montalban (Rizal) relocation sites, so that "he may learn about the tragedy that befell the life of earlier relocatees, which pushed the residents of Corazon de Jesus to use Molotov cocktails as a last resort to defend their homes".

No 'blanket authority'
For its part, the Urban Poor Resource Center of the Philippines, an advocacy institution, reminded the media and the general public that the poor's non-ownership of the land where they settle was no "blanket authority" to evict them, regardless of means.

"What we felt from the general coverage of the San Juan incident is that many commenters are of the opinion that demolition was justified simply because the poor did not own the land," said Jon Vincent Marin, UPRCP spokesperson. "This is a very shortsighted, not to mention dangerous, view that ignores social realities as to how the poor got there in the first place, and at the same time tolerates the use of violence against the poor should they resist."

The UPRCP also urged the media to reflect upon the parallels of their own predicament with that of the urban poor, and view the issue of demolition in a wider social context.

"The culture of impunity that allows the state to use such violence against its own citizens is the same culture of impunity that leads to the killings of journalists and media members," said Marin. "These two issues are hardly divorced. If the powerful are not expected to respect the basic human rights of a whole community of people, how can we expect them to respect the rights of one or two people that speak against them?"

References:
Carlito Badion, AKD convenor (0939.387.3736)
Gloria Arellano, Kadamay Secretary General (0921.392.7457)
Jon Vincent Marin, UPRCP spokesperson (0910.975.7660)

Kadamay slams 'pay-to-mobilize scheme' on 1st day of impeachment protest

2012-01-16T21:54:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 16 JANUARY 2012

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor alliance has expressed its fear that the urban poor sector could be used by certain political factions to amplify their narrow demands and serve their interests related to the impeachment case faced by the Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in its statement said, "We receive reports that a group close to the Aquino administration as well as other groups notorious for their pay-to-mobilize scheme have been courting several urban poor organizations in Metro Manila in time for today's big mobilization at the Senate."

As the impeachment trial against Corona will start today, protests supporting both camps are to be expected involving various political groups.

Kadamay, for one, has already expressed its support for the impeachment of Corona. Carmen 'Ka Mameng' Denunida, the 83-year-old veteran activist, will lead this morning the urban poor rank together with other militant organizations under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).

Kadamay national chairperson Leonila Sarzuela said, "As long as Corona sits as the Supreme Court chief justice, making the Arroyos accountable of their crimes to the people is virtually impossible."

Urban poor sector
Sarzuela also noted that, "The urban poor have played a significant role in the big mobilizations that changed the course of Philippine history, partly because of their number and their proximity to the battleground. The other reason is that they are easy to mobilize for a very measly amount of money for as low as P20-50, and sometimes for just a single meal."

"We are threading on a significant point in our history similar during the two EDSA revolutions, and the urban poor must again be critical not to let the ruling class only further its interest," Sarzuela said.

According to the leader, 'It must be clear that the recent rift among the ruling class is but an opportunity for the urban poor to advance its demand for substantial change and benefit."

TRO on demolition
Kadamay, which is an nationwide organization based in urban poor communities, has called on the chief justice to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Aquino’s demolition rampage on urban poor communities on the basis of the gross human right violation that it entails, and on the implementation of RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

"By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the chief justice will surely earn the support of the wider public in this highly critical political battle," she said.

“Corona must also act on other pressing issues of the poor including the price hikes, massive unemployment, measly wage of the workers and land reform," Sarzuela said.

Meanwhile, the group has also called on the urban poor in Metro Manila, and nearby regions to be critical and not be blinded by the measly amount poured on urban poor communities by some political groups. ###

KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)
Militant Center of the Filipino Urban Poor
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Ka Mameng, pangungunahan ang mga maralita sa unang araw ng protesta sa Senado

2012-01-16T21:53:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 16 January 2012

Ka Mameng, pangungunahan ang mga maralita sa unang araw ng protesta sa Senado

Ang beteranang aktibistang si Carmen 'Ka Mameng' Deunida ay mangunguna ngayong umaga sa pagkilos ng mga maralitang lungsod at iba pang sektor sa unang araw ng pagdinig sa Senado ng impeachment case ni Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Ang 83-taong betarana ng lansangan na honorary chair ng miltanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay ay inaasahang susuporta sa impeachment case ni Corona, kasama ng iba pang lider ng mga organisasyon sa ilalim ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan o Bayan.

Si Ka Mameng ay naging sikat na maslider lalo pa noong kasagsagan ng impeachment case ni dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada at noong EDSA Dos. Sampung taon ang lumipas, muli siyang magsasalita sa isang panibagong impeachment case upang maging boses ng mga maralita at pinagsasamtalahan.

Ayon kay Ka Mameng, "Malaking tinik si Corona sa tuluyang pagpapanagot at pagpapakulong kay Gloria Arrovo." Hinamon niya ang kapwa maralitang lungsod na pumabor sa pagpapatalsik sa puno ng Korte Suprema.

Hindi pa huli ang lahat
Ngunit ayon kay Ka Mameng, "Madaling mapapatunayan ni Corona sa taumbayan na hindi siya isang sunud-sunuran kay Arroyo kung ngayon pa lang ay gagawa na siya ng mga maka-maralitang hakbang."

"Hindi pa huli ang lahat para kay Corona," ayon kay Ka Mameng. "Kung maglalabas ang Korte Suprema ng mga desisyon na direktang magsisilbi sa interes ng mga maralita, makukuha niya tiyak ang simpatya sa malawak na publiko," dagdag pa niya.

TRO sa demolition
Ang Kadamay na naka-base sa mga maralitang komunidad sa buong bansa ay nauna nang nanawagan kay Corona na maglabas ng isang temporary restraining order sa pagpapatupad ng mga demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad. Dahil diumano ito sa malalang paglabag sa karapatang pantao na dulot ng mga ito.

Nanawagan pa ang grupo na maglabas din ng TRO sa pagpapatupad ng gubyerno sa RA 7279 o Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), na siya diumanong nagliligalisa ng mga nabanggit na demolisyon.

"Sa kapangyarihan nito, kayang-kayang ng Korte Suprema na mapahinto ang mga demolisyon kagaya ng naganap sa Corazon de Jesus sa San Juan City, at sa North Triagle sa Quezon City," dagdag pa ng lider.

Kailangan din diumanong makialam ni Corona sa mga napapanahong isyu ng mamamayan gaya ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, maliit na sahod at mawalak na disempleyo, gayundin ang reporma sa lupa.

Di Seryoso
Sa kabila ng nagaganap na impeachment sa Senado, naniniwala pa rin ang Kadamay na hindi sinsero si Aquino sa pagtupad nito sa pangako sa taumbayan na mapanagot si Arroyo.

"Ang pangangailangang pagtakpan ni Aquino ang kainutilan ng kanyang administrasyon sa pagsugpo sa lumalalang kahirapan sa bansa, kasama na ang naging desisyon sa Korte Suprema ang mga pangunahing dahilan sa likod ng impeachment case ni Corona," ani Ka Mameng. ###

KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)
Militanteng Sentro ng Maralitang Lungsod sa Pilipinas
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, pambansang pangkalahatang-kalihim (09213927457)

['It's not yet too late for Corona'] Ka Mameng to lead the urban poor in today's protest at the Senate

2012-01-16T21:51:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 16 JANUARY 2012

PASAY CITY, Philippines--Rally veteran Carmen 'Ka Mameng' Deunida will lead the urban poor and other sectors in the call to impeach Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona. The 83-year old veteran who is an honorary leader of militant urban poor group Kadamay will be speaking in today's big protest at the Senate on the first day of the impeachment trial against the Supreme Court chief justice.

Ka Mameng has been a popular mass leader since the impeachment trial against then President Joseph Estrada and the dark days of the EDSA Dos. Ten years later, Ka Mameng remains the voice of the oppressed and the impoverished Filipinos.

Ka Mameng said, "Malaking tinik si Corona sa tuluyang pagpapanagot at pagpapakulong kay Gloria Arrovo. She challenged the urban poor to take its stand in favor of the impeachment of the chief justice.

Not to late
However, Deunida noted that "by taking pro-poor actions, Corona can easily prove to the people that he is not an Arroyo's bootlicker, and get the upper hand in this political rift."

"Hindi pa huli ang lahat para kay Corona," Ka Mameng said. "By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the Chief Justice will surely earn the sympathy of the wider public," she added.

Nationwide moratorium on demolition
Kadamay, a nationwide organization based in urban poor communities, has called on the Chief Justice to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Aquino’s demolition rampage on urban poor communities for the gross human right violation that it entails, as well as on the implementation of RA 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

"The Supreme Court can, by its power, stop the violent demolition just like what happened in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City, and North Triangle in QC," Deunida said.

“He must also act on other pressing issues of the poor including the price hikes, massive unemployment, measly wage of the workers and land reform. We have long been waiting for someone to intervene on the attacks of the Arrovo and Aquino administrations to the urban poor and the people," the veteran stressed.

Lack of sincerity
The group also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of the Aquino administration to fulfill his promise of completely making the former president president accountable.

"Aside from getting back at Corona for the Supreme Court's decision on the disputed 6,500-hectare Luisita land, the impeachment case might just be another popular move of the Aquino administration to cover-up its failure to address the apparent widespread poverty of its people," Deunida said. ###

KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)
Militant Center of the Urban Poor in the Philippines
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Corona impeachment more than 'checks-and-balances' of democracy, says Kadamay

2012-01-14T21:49:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l January 14, 2012

This is the statement of urban poor group Kadamay on the upcoming impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Philippine Senate to start on January 16.

"It is more than just the checks-and-balaces procedure of the Philippine democracy, as [Malacanang spokersperson Abigail] Valte claims it to be. It is more of a political gesture, than a legal practice," said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general said.

Valte noted in a radio interview that as mandated in the Philippine Constitution, any politician is bound for a checks-and-balances scrutiny with the legislative having the right to spearhead such action, being the representative of the people.

Valte added that the impeachment case agaist Corona is a manifestation of a 'very rigorous democracy.'

Highly partisan legislative
"But the Filipino people cannot accept the same swift move made by the Congress to impeach any other politician, especially those that are staunch allies of the ruling political party," Arellano said.

"Any impeachment case, no matter how solid its grounds are, is only bound to fail without the nod of the highly partisan majority in the House of Representatives, as in the case of the impeachment proceeding against then President Arroyo," she stressed. "The Aquino administration, in fact used the pork barrel fund to mobilize even those within the Liberal Party in favor of the impeachment complaint."

"Our history has proven that the legislative has served only the interest of the ruling party more than the interest of its people. It's not really a democratic society that we have," Arellano claimed.

A showcase
Kadamay also said that "Corona's impeachment is just a showcase of the Aquino administrations' campaign against graft and corruption, and bringing Mrs. Arroyo accountable for her crimes.

"Aquino's effort to cover up it failure in addressing the wosening poverty of his people, and the mounting public pressure to make Mrs. Arroyo accountable for her crimes are more valid reasons behind Corona's impeachment," the group said.

Although Kadamay has supported Corona's impeachment, the urban poor group has also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of Aquino administration in putting Mrs Arroyo behind bars.

Prosecuting Mrs Arroyo is long-delayed promise of Aquino to the people. "Arroyo's attempt to leave the country, the pro-peasant SC ruling on the HLI, and his failure to uplift the economy are actually the pivotal points in this highly political impeachment proceeding that will start on Monday," Arellano pointed out. ###

KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MIHIHIRAP
Militant Center of the Urban Poor
Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Urban poor group brings rotten flowers, fruits to CGMA

2012-01-13T21:48:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l January 13, 2012
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)

QUEZON City—Members of urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap were barred for the entering the compound Veterans Memorial Medical Center this morning. Their purpose is to visit Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and offer her bouquets of rotten flowers and basket full of rotten fruits.

Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice-chair said the action is a protest against the public deception made by the Arroyo's camp on the real state of health of the former president.

"Ang mga bulok ng prutas ay mahusay gamot sa nagsasakit-sakitan," he added.

Last January 11, Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn, Mrs. Arroyo's spokesperson said that the ex-president needs to undergo another surgical operation, after a VMMC consultant who happens to be a relative of CGMA advised so.

A day after, the VMMC administration released a statement telling that the hospital has never recommended no surgical operation for the ex-president.

Attached to the militants' presents are cards written with "Get well soon, Mrs. Arroyo! See you in jail!"

Public deception
"Mrs. Arroyo can no longer deceive the urban poor and the people and escape her crimes to the people," Badion said.

Before leaving the hospital ground, the militants held a short program at the North Avenue gate of the VMMC to announce their support to the impeachment case filed against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

"It is crystal-clear that Corona is a midnight appointee during the Arroyo administration, and he is a big hindrance to making Mrs Arroyo accountable. It is a must that he be impeached as the chief justice of the country," Badion said.

Question of sincerity
Also, the group expressed its doubt on the sincerity of President Aquino in accomplishing its promise to the people by making Arroyo accountable for her crimes.

According to Badion, "Aside from the fact that the filing of cases against CGMA is long delayed, we believe that Aquino is using the impeachment case against Corona to cover up his administration's failure in addressing the widespread poverty of his people."

"More than making sure that Arroyo will pay for her crimes, Supreme Court's pro-peasant decision on the Hacienda Luisita land is behind the administration's incessant attacks on the chief justice," Badion added. ###

Reference: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair (09393873736)

Grupo ng Kadamay, maghahandog ng mga bulok na prutas at bulaklak kay CGMA

2012-01-13T21:46:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l Enero 13, 2012
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY)

Lungsod Quezon—Maghahatid ang grupo ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) sa VMMC ng kanilang regalo na isang basket ng mga bulok na prutas at isang bungkos ng mga bulok na bulaklak para kay Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Protesta diumano ito sa panlilinlang ng kampo ni Arroyo sa taumbayan tungkol sa tunay na kalusugan ng dating presidente.

Noong Enero 11, sinabi ni Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn, tagapagsalita ni Gng. Arroyo, na muling nangangailangan ang dating presidente ng isang maselang operasyon mula diumano sa payo ng isang Consultant ng VMMC na kaanak ni Gng. Arroyo. Ngunit kaagad naman itong pinabulaanan ng administrasyon ng nasabing ospital kinabukasan.

Kasama ng mga handog ang isang kard na naglalaman ng kanilang kahilingan na agad gumaling ang dating presidente para agad din niya diumanong mapanagutan ang kaniyang mga kasalanan sa taumbayan.

Kaso sa taumbayan
“Hindi kailanman malilinlang ni Arroyo ang mga maralita at mamamayan upang matakasan niya ang laksa niyang kasalanan sa taumbayan kabilang na ang higit sa isanlibong kaso ng extra-judicial killing sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon, mga kaso ng pandarambong sa kaban ng taumbayan at mga pandaraya sa eleksyon,” ani Badion.

Bago iabot ng mga militante ang kanilang handog kay CGMA sa mga security guard, magsasagawa sila ng isang maikling programa sa labas ng ospital upang ianunsyo ang kanilang pagsuporta sa impeachment case laban kay Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Malinaw ang pagiging isang midnight appointee ni Corona sa panahon ni Arroyo, at isa siyang malaking balakid sa tuluyang pagpapanagot sa dating pangulo. Narapat lamang na maalis siya bilang punong mahistrado ng Korte Suprema,” ani Badion.

Sinseridad ni Aquino
Gayunpaman, nagpahayag ng pagdududa ang grupo ng Kadamay sa sinsiredad ni Aquino sa pagtupad nito sa pangako niya sa taumbayan na mapanagot si Gng. Arroyo.

Ayon kay Badion, “Liban sa sobrang huli na ang naging pagsasampa ng mga kaso laban kay CGMA, naniniwala kaming ginagamit lang ni Aquino ang impeachment case para mapabango ang kanyang imahe at mapagtakpan ang lumalalang kahirapang dinaranas ng mamamayan sa ilalim ng kanyang panunungkulan.”

“Higit pa sa pagtitiyak na mapanagot si Gng. Arroyo, malaki rin ang kinalaman ng mga naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema hinggil sa pamamahagi ng lupain ng mga Cojuangco sa mga magsasaka ng Hacienda Luisita,” dagdag ni Badion.###

Reference: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair (09393873736)

[Declaring victory of ‘people’s barricade’] North Triangle residents dare Bistek not to emulate the Ejercitos

2012-01-12T22:27:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l January 12, 2012

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Residents of North Triangle along Agham Road have declared today’s “people's barricade” as another victory of the resident's collective action against the demolition of their homes.

The 7-day period given by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to the residents of Area CT, the community facing the Office of the Ombudsman along Agham Road, has lapsed today without any trace of of demolition team, but with only a few policemen seen near the area.

“Many residents, here, had some shudders after Wednesday's violent demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City. That’s why today we prepared with our best in case the demolition squad would use the same brute force as they did in San Juan,” said Estrelieta ‘Ka Inday’ Bagasbas, chairperson of Septemeber 23 Movement, a local alliance of North Triangle residents.

After Wednesday’s demolition, North Triangle residents are reported to have upgraded their defense.

This morning, they designed a demolition drill to run through the lessons learned from different demolition cases nationwide, based on the worst possible scenarios, such as the use of tear gas by demolition team (as in Corazon de Jesus), private military deployment and strafing incident (as in Villa Abrille, Davao City), and illegal arrest and sometimes extra-judicial killing of community leaders (as in Kadiwa, Navotas).

Bistek dared
“We dare QC Mayor Herbert Bautista not to imitate the brutality and cold-bloodedness of the Ejercito family in San Juan. Similar incident to happen in North Triangle would really destroy his political career,” Ka Inday said.

Since September 23, 2010, the infamous day marked by a stand-off along EDSA that forced President Aquino to implement a nationwide two-month moratorium on demolition, “NHA has issued four waves of new notices of eviction to North Triangle residents,” Ka Inday said.

“Deadlines set for the residents to take the relocation offer only lapsed one after another, as the residents eagerly anticipated the arrival of demolition crew,” she added.

Headaches to businessmen and politicians
More than a year after the expiration of the two-month moratorium on demolition issued by DILG, North Triangle community has remained to cause headaches to the big businessmen like the Ayalas, and politicians.

Jonalyn Adiao, an 18-year old resident of Sitio San Roque said, “Swerte kami malapit lang ang EDSA.”

Others looked at the enormous size of the community, that it is virtually impossible for the government to demolish the entire community all-at-once without being overwhelmed the resident’s resistance, as behind the success of North Triangle’s people’s barricade.

Nationwide moratorium on demolition
Meanwhile, an anti-demolition alliance called Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon called on President Aquino to order an immediate and indefinite moratorium on demolition nationwide. Its statement said, “The ever more frequent and violent attacks on the rights of the urban poor for decent housing and livelihood only prove that Aquino is truly the ‘Demolition King,”

A militant urban poor group Kadamay even dared Chief Justice Renato Corona to issue a temporary restraining order to all demolitions of urban poor communities nationwide, to show that he is way beyond just being an Arroyo’s ally. ###

Reference: Estrelieta 'Ka Inday' Bagasbas, September 23 Movement chairperson (09462065715)
SEPTEMBER 23 MOVEMENT l CONTRA-CBD l AKD
Balicanta St, Sitio san Roque, Brgy Bagong Pag-asa, QC

Another urban poor community expected to face brutal demolition on Friday

2012-01-12T22:25:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l JAN 12, 2012
SEPTEMBER 23 MOVEMENT

MANILA, Philippines--Residents of North Triangle may suffer the same degree of brute force as the residents of Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City from the police and demolition team tomorrow.

Families considered as 'occupants of illegal structures' along Agham road in Sitio San Roque (North Triangle), Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa have received 7-day notice of eviction from the National Housing Authority.

Yesterday morning, coinciding with the violent demolition of homes in San Juan City, barangay officials in North Triangle had failed to order the removal of the barricade fences set-up by residents along Agham road.

"Compared to previous attempts by the NHA and the QC LGU to evict us from our San Roque, we see a very high probability that demolition teams will arrive on Friday," said Inday Bagasbas, chairperson of a local alliance called September 23 Movement. The name is derived from infamous day in September 2010 when North Triangle residents took over EDSA to protest the demolition of their homes.

Since September 23, 2010, North Triangle residents have received consistent threats of eviction from the NHA and local authorities.

Upper hand
"The government might just think it has gained an upper hand after they won over the residents of Corazon de Jesus through dirty tricks and illegal arrests," Bagasbas said.

"They are just taking it wrongly. Sitio San Roque still has around 7,000 families who will make sure the demolition of homes will fail. We will be on guard as early as tonight, and be fully-prepared to defend our barricade on Friday" she said.

According to Bagasbas, of the 7,000 families, some 2,000 families are already Montalban relocatees who came back to San Roque because of the lack of livelihood opportunities and services that the government has promised.

“It is the same reason behind the stern resistance of San Juan residents to take the relocation offer and give up their homes, and why we prepare hard to fail every demolition attempt to our community.

Quezon City Central Business District
The National Housing Authority claimed of transferring close to 5,000 families to Montalban, Rizal from Sitio San Roque since the relocation process started mid-year in 2010.

The community sits on a 'highly commercial' prime lot that is claimed by the NHA, which also gives urban poor workers an easy access to their jobs.

After the Arroyo administration had issued Executive Order 620 and 620-A, the NHA had signed a joint-venture agreement with Ayala Land, Inc. to develop the area into Quezon City-Central Business District.

Rebuilding homes
Meanwhile, Bagasbas has called on other urban poor groups to extend their support for the victims of the violent demolition in Corazon de Jesus and help them in rebuilding their homes. ###

Reference: Estrelieta 'Ka Inday' Bagasbas, September 23 Movement chairperson (09462065715)
SEPTEMBER 23 MOVEMENT l CONTRA-CBD
Balicanta St, Sitio san Roque, Brgy Bagong Pag-asa, QC

Militant groups march to Corazon de Jesus in solidarity with the victims of violent demolition of homes

2012-01-12T21:43:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 12 January 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP

Urban poor group Kalipnunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) led this morning members of other sectoral organizations under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon (AKD), as they expressed their solidarity with the victims of violent demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City.

They condemned the demolition rampage of the Aquino administration, calling Aquino as truly a 'Demolition King.'

Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon claimed in its statement, “The collusion between the Ejercitos and the Aquino administration that ensues the demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City is very evidident.”

Estrelieta Bagasbas, AKD spokesperson said, “Yesterday's demolition of homes is the most violent and brutal attack to date to the rights of the urban poor. We call on Malacanang to explain and for yet another violent demolition of urban poor communities that has been a trend under his administration. Aquino and the Ejercitos should be made accountable for the gross human right violation.”

The groups called for a nationwide moratorium on demolition of urban poor communities.

The residents have resisted the demolition for hours, forcing the armed demolition team and sniping units to use tear gas to penetrate the barricade. It only shows the residents of Corazon de Jesus are more prepared compared to the last year's similar demolition of homes.

Professional Activists
Kadamay condemned the accusation of Cong. JV Ejercito that militant non-resident groups have made the situation worse. The group asked him: When does helping the oppressed become a crime?

“Truly, the support of other groups has contributed to the residents’ stern resistance against the demolition. But it's the residents who led the defense until the end. The Ejercito administration should not underestimate the dismay and rage of his constituents that will later take its toll on the political career of his family,” Kadamay national vice chair Carlito Badion said.

“It is the Ejercitos, not the supporters, who should be grilled in the hot seat for committing such heinous crime witnessed by millions of televiewers not only in the Philippines, but worldwide,” he said.

“We vow to make our defense ever stronger against every demolition of our homes nationwide. We vow to make the Aquino administration accountable for being a staunch endorser of ‘development programs’ under his Public-Private Program, at the expense of the basic rights of the people,” the leader ended. ###

The group also called on other urban poor groups "to extend their support for the victims of demolition, and help them in rebuilding their homes."

Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor, Kadamay national vice chair (09393873736)

Collusion between Aquino and the Ejercitos

2012-01-11T22:31:00.000+08:00

PRESS STATEMENT l JANUARY 11, 2012
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON

We condemn the collusion between the Ejercitos and the Aquino administration that ensues the demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus, San Juan City--the most violent and brutal attack to date to the rights of the urban poor.

We call on Malacanang to explain and for yet another violent demolition of urban poor communities that has been a trend under his administration. Aquino and the Ejercitos should be made accountable for the gross human right violation.

The residents have resisted the demolition for hours, forcing the armed demolition team and sniping units to use tear gas to penetrate the barricade. It only shows the residents of Corazon de Jesus are more prepared compared to the last year's similar demolition of homes.

We condemn the accusation of Cong. JV Ejercito that militant non-resident groups have made the situation worse. We ask him: When does helping the oppressed become a crime?

Truly, the support of other groups has contributed to the residents’ stern resistance against the demolition. But the Ejercito administration should not underestimate the dismay and rage of his constituents that will later take its toll on the political career of his family.

It is the Ejercitos, not the supporters, who should be grilled in the hot seat for committing such heinous crime witnessed millions of televiewers not only in the Philippines, but worldwide.

Finally, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, together with different urban poor groups under its umbrella expresses its solidarity with the victims of the Ejercito-Aquino demolition rampage in San Juan.

We vow to make our defense ever stronger against every demolition of our homes nationwide.

We vow to make the Aquino administration accountable for being a staunch endorser of ‘development programs’ under his Public-Private Program, at the expense of the basic rights of the people. ###

Reference: Carlito Badion, lead convenor, 09393873736

[ Calling for an indefinite moratorium on demolition] Urban poor group condemns violent demolition of homes in San Juan

2012-01-11T21:42:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 11 JANUARY 2012
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap

Militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has condemned the violent demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City.

“Nothing has changed on the Aquino administration’s handling of demolition of urban poor communities: violent, negligent and very inhuman,” Kadamay national-secretary general Gloria Arellano said.

“It is an exact repetition of the violence that erupted in the same community just a year ago, including the use of tear gas to penetrate the barricade of the residence and illegal arrests of community leaders,” she added.

“This government has continued on using brute force to win over the collective defense of the residents.

With casualties on both sides of the residents and the demolition team, and with the coverage of media, Kadamay said, that the government has only acted “haphazardly.”

“They were blinded that the violent demolition in Corazon de Jesus would only bring adverse publicity to Aquino who has been doing almost everything to cover up its failure to address the worsening poverty of its people, including the impeachment case against the chief justice,” Arellano said.

The group has been calling for a nationwide indefinite moratorium on demolition of urban poor communities. Meanwhile, it has also dared Chief Justice Corona to issue a temporary restraining order on Aquino's demolition rampage of urban poor communities.

Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457

['Prove you're not an Arroyo's bootlicker'] Group dares Corona to issue TRO on demolition of urban poor communities

2012-01-11T21:39:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 11 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor group challenged Chief Justice Renato Corona to take popular pro-poor actions in order for the magistrate to earn the support of the sector and the people.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), which is based in urban poor communities, has called on the Chief Justice to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Aquino’s demolition rampage on urban poor communities nationwide citing the gross human right violations that it entails.

"The Supreme Court can, by its power, stop the violent demolition of urban poor communities like Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City, and North Triangle in QC that both face threats of demolition this week.

Previous cases of demolition of homes in the said communities have resulted to scores of injuries among women and children, which the Aquino administration has condoned according to Kadamay.

Pro-impeachment
Kadamay, though, supported the impeachment case against Corona.

Kadamay national chairperson Leonila Zarsuela in its statement simply said, "We will be supporting the coming proceeding as it is one way of making Arroyo accountable of her crimes to the people."

The group also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of the Aquino administration in making Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accountable for her crimes to the people.

"Aside from getting back at Corona for the Supreme Court's decision on the disputed 6,500-hectare Luisita land, the impeachment case might just be another popular move of the Aquino administration to cover-up its failure to address the apparent widespread poverty of its people," Zarsuela said.

Pro-poor actions
Meanwhile, Zarsuela added that "by taking pro-poor actions, Corona can easily prove to the people that he is not an Arroyo's bootlicker, and get the upper hand in this political rift.

“We have long been waiting for someone to intervene on the attacks of the Arroyo and Aquino administrations to the urban poor," the leader added.

"By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the judiciary and the Chief Justice will surely earn the sympathy of the wider public in this highly critical political battle," she said. ###

REFERENCE: Bea Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)

Urban poor group condemns violent demolition of homes in San Juan

2012-01-11T21:36:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 11 JANUARY 2012
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap

Militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has condemned the violent demolition of homes in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City.

“Nothing has changed on the Aquino administration’s handling of demolition of urban poor communities: violent, negligent and very inhuman,” Kadamay national-secretary general Gloria Arellano said.

“It is an exact repetiton of the violence one year ago, including the use of tear gas to penetrate the barricade of the residence and the tactics of illegal arrests,” she added.

“This government has continued on using brute force to win over the collective defense of the residents.

With casualties on both sides of the residents and the demolition team, and with the coverage of media, Kadamay said, that the government has only acted “haphazardly.”

“They were blinded that the violent demolition in Corazon de Jesus would only bring adverse publicity to Aquino who has been doing almost everything to cover up its failure to address the worsening poverty of its people, including the impeachment case against the chief justice,” Arellano said.###

Reference: Gloria Arellano, national secretary-general (09213927457)

Trabaho para sa mga taga-Pantukan, ipinanawagan ng Kadamay

2012-01-11T21:31:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 11 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)

Nakakuha ng kakampi ang mga maralitang pinapalayas ng gubyerno sa Pantukan, Compostela Valley sa grupo ng maralitang lungsod na Kadamay. Inaasahan ngayong umaga ang marahas na sagupaan sa pagitan ng demolition team na binubuo ng mga militar at ng mga nagmamatigas na mga residente.

Ayon sa tagapagsalita ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap na si Bea Arellano, sa halip na pwersahang paalisin ang mga maralita mula sa kanilang mga tahanan ay dapat tiyakin muna ng pamahalaan ang kongkretong plano nito para sa maayos na relokasyon at mayroong kabuhayang nakalaan para sa mga pamilyang ililikas.

Mayroong aabot sa 20,000 pamilya mula sa bayan ng Pantukan ang nakatira sa lugar na idineklarang “no habitation zone” ng gubyerno. Ang ilan sa kanila ay binigyan lamang hanggang kahapon para magkusang lisanin ang kanilang lugar.

Makailang beses ng sinalanta ng landslide ang mga maralita sa paligid ng mga minahan Compostela Valley sa mga nagdaang taon, pinakahuli noong Enero 5 na kumitil sa 36 na buhay sa pinakahuling tala.

Mga maralita sa mga danger areas

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, “ang kalagayan ng mga pamilya sa Pantukan ay walang kaibahan sa daan-daang libong pamilyang maralita sa buong bansa na nakatira sa mga tabing-estero at iba pang danger areas. At kahit na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng gobyerno ang pagtira sa mga mapanganib na lugar ay patuloy pa rin silang naninirahan dito kung saan mayroon silang tiyak na kabuhayan at pagkakakitaan."

Higit sa 80,000 pamilya na nakatira sa Metro Manila ay nahaharap din sa mga sapilitang pagpapalayas na isinasagawa ng pamahalaan, ayon sa datos ng MMDA.

Kahit maraming buhay na ang nawala at mapanganib ang kanilang kalagayan, nahihirapan pa rin ang ating pamahalaan na paalisin ang mga maralita sa mga danger areas.

Ayon sa Kadamay, “bulag ng gubyerno sa tunay na dahilan kung bakit pinipiling tumira ng mga maralita sa mga peligrosong lugar.”

“Hindi nito nakikita ang napakalaking kakulangan sa paglikha ng mga disenteng trabaho na may nakakabubuhay na sahod, upang iwan nila ang mga delikadong trabaho at ang mga lugar kung saan sila nakakadiskarte ng pangkabuhayan sa kabila ng peligrong kinakaharap sa pang-araw-araw,” ani Arellano.

Bulok na programa kontra-kahirapan

“Sa higit isa’t kalahating taon ni Aquino sa panunungkulan, hindi pa rin nararamdaman ng mga maralita ang mga programa kontra-kahirapan ng gubyerno gaya multi-bilyong CCT ng DSWD at ang ipinagmamalaki ng DOLE na nalikhang isang milyong trabaho noong nakaraang taon.

Sa pinakahiling survey ng Pulse Asia, 38% o 4 sa 10 Pilipino ang nagsasabing masama ang takbo ng ekonomiya ng bansa kumpara sa taong 2010.

Banggit pa ni Arellano, mananatili ang malakas na paglaban ng maralita para sa kanilang paninirahan kahit sa mga peligrosong lugar hangga't hindi natutugunan ng pamahalaan ang lumalang kawalan ng trabaho at kahirapan, at kumikiling ito sa interes ng iilan at mga dayuhan. ###

REFERENCE: Bea Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)

'Soaring number of Black Nazarene devotees, a sign of worsening poverty'--Kadamay

2012-01-10T22:01:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 10 JANUARY 2012

MANILA, Philippines--This is the statement of a militant urban poor group after the Black Nazarene procession has recorded a record number of participants this year despite threats of terror.

"This dramatic increase only signifies of the increasing number of poor Filipinos who wish for relief in one way or another from their daily suffering," said Gloria Arellano, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) national secretary-general.

"Unlike surveys, the participation in the Feast of the Black Nazarene is a more concrete gauge of the poverty and hardship that befell many poor Filipinos, as well as of the needs of the people," Arellano added.

"The remarkable increase in this year's participants only shows that Aquino has done nothing to uplift the life of the poor, in its one year in his more than a year in office," Arellano said.

Palliative poverty-alleviation program
"Undoubtedly, DSWD's Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and DOLE's reported one million new jobs last year have no effect at all," Arellano said.

Each year, the number of indigents who look up to the Black Nazarene for medical to financial wishes is bound to increase, according to Kadamay.

"This incidence will be more remarkable as the Aquino administration continues to cut the budget for basic social services, while it allots more fund for military spending, debt-servicing and its defective dole-out program," Arellano said.

Hindrance to Poverty-Alleviation
According to Arellano, the Aquino administration stands as a big hindrance to the implementation of the vitals programs including the genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization.

"Only through an equal distribution of land to our farmers, and the creation of jobs though a national industrialization program free from the control of the imperialists, can the millions of Filipinos break free from the bond of poverty," she added.

Concrete hope
"In the midst of a highly entrenched and worsening poverty, only from an aspiration for a socialist society can the millions of Black Nazarene devotees and poor Filipinos get concrete hope and relief, eventually, from the cavalry that challenges them every day," she ended. ###

Reference: Gloria Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)

'Faces of poverty in PH become more obvious, tragic,' says urban poor center

2012-01-10T01:47:00.000+08:00

MEDIA RELEASE
09 January 2012

MANILA, Philippines--An urban poor center has claimed that government's anti-poor policies have contributed to the tragedy that befell two urban poor Filipinos early this year, and may give us an explanation for the increasing number of Black Nazarene devotees.

These policies, according to a statement of Urban Poor Resource Center of the Philippines, Inc. (UPRCP), have only resulted in a more obvious and tragic face of poverty in the country.

It further said that "the government programs including its massive relocation program and the palliative Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) have directly and indirectly resulted in a more chronic and painstaking poverty for the most vulnerable Filipinos."

Addressing poverty
UPRCP claimed that "The government's flagship poverty-alleviation program which is 4Ps only turns out as palliative in the process, eating up a huge chunk of the national budget that could have been used more effectively in providing basic social services for the poor."

According to Luis Clarin, UPRCP Executive Director, “4Ps has not really addressed the chronic poverty that is driven by the highly unequal land and property distribution to the people, and the massive unemployment, while the government continues to deny the poor of their basic right for shelter, decent job and living wage”

Clarin said: "The government;s anti-poor policies are undeniably behind the sad fate of Roy Navarro, 33, and Robert Estorque, 33, who both lost their sanity and committed suicide and massacre, respectively.

Particular cases
Roy Navarro, Clarin cited, has committed suicide after losing his home to the Sendong flash flood in Cagayan de Oro City, and a slot in the government’s tent city. Another angle is his exclusion from the beneficiaries of Aquino’s dole-out program.

“Navarro’s case is only one of dozens of accounted poverty-driven suicide in the country,” Clarin added.

Meanwhile, relatives have claimed that Estorque is a victim of the harsh condition in the government’s relocation sites.

“After the government has ordered the demolition of homes in the Sitio San Roque, North Triangle in Quezon City, Estorque and his family immediately transferred to Montalban, Rizal,” said Clarin.

“After some months, he returned to the urban poor community due to joblessness and grave poverty in the relocation site. The condition eventually drove him to lose sanity and stab four residents in the community,” he continued.

More tragic face of poverty
"The face of poverty will become more obvious and tragic as the Aquino administration remains a die-hard endorser of the interests of the local ruling elites and of the imperialists at the expense of its people," he said.

The Aquino administration poses a great hindrance towards the implementation of genuine agrarian reform and a nationalist industrialization program in the country, which are the only means for the millions of Filipino poor to break free from the bonds of poverty," he added.

“It can also explain the ever increasing devotees of the Black Nazarene, with a record of eight to nine million marchers this year,” he said.

Clarin finally said, "Given the very chronic poverty that infests the semi-feudal and semi-colonial Philippine society, socialism is the last resort to bring concrete hope to the growing and ever suffering poor Filipinos."

---
Urban Poor Resource Center of the Philippines (UPRCP)
Room 101, ARCSEA Building, Don Antonio Heights, QC
Reference: Luis Clarin, Executive Director (09081096969)

'Pagdami ng mga deboto ng Itim na Nazareno, tanda ng lumalalang kahirapan'--Kadamay

2012-01-10T01:44:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 10 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)

Ito ang naging pahayag ng grupo ng maralitang lungsod na Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) hinggil sa napakalaking bilang ng mga debotong lumahok sa taunang prusisyon sa Piyesta ng Itim na Nazareno.

"Ang kapansin-pansing paglaki ng bilang ng mga nagprusisyon ngayong taon ay nangangahulugan lamang na patuloy na dumadami ang maralitang Pilipino na nag-aasam ng higit na kaginhawaan sa kanilang buhay," ani Gloria Arellano, pambansang pangkalahatang-kalihim ng Kadamay.

"Di gaya ng mga sarbey, ang paglahok sa prusisyon ay mas kongkretong sukatan ng dinaranas kahirapan at ng pangangailangan ng mamamayan,' dagdag ni Arellano.

Diumano rin, nagpapakita lamang ito na walang nagawa ang administrasyong Aquino para mapabuti ang lagay ng mga maralita sa mahigit isang taong nitong panunungkulan sa poder."

Bulok na program kontra-kahirapan
"Masasabing walang epekto ang mga programa kontra-kahirapan ng rehimen tulad ng Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) ng DSWD, at ang ipinagmamalaki ng DOLE na isang milyong trabahong nalikha ng ahensya noong nakaraang taon," ani Arellano.

Hindi diumano maitatanggi na patuloy na dumarami ang mga kababayan nating lumalapit sa Poong Nazareno para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan mula sa medikal hanggang sa mga pinansyal na kahilingan.

Dagdag pa ng Kadamay, patuloy pang madagdagan sa mga darating na taon ang bilang ng deboto ng Poong Nazareno hangga't patuloy na kinakaltasan ng gubyerno ang pondo para sa mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan gaya ng edukasyon at pangkalusugan, at inilalaan ito para sa milittary, pagbabayad sa mga utang panlabas,at sa mga depektibong programa gaya ng CCT.

Balakid sa pagtamo ng kaginhawaan
Ayon pa kay Arellano, "malaking balakid ang administrasyong Aquino para makamit ng mamamayan ang mga higit na kinakailangang programa gaya na tunay ng reporma agraryo at pambansang industriyalisasyon."

"Sa pamamahagi ng mga lupa sa mga naghihirap na magsasaka sa kanayunan, at sa pagtatayo ng mga industriyang ligtas sa dikta ng mga dayuhan na lilikha ng mga trabaho, tanging makakawala ang milyun-milyon nating kababayan mula sa tanikala ng kahirapan," ani Arellano.

"Sa gitna ng tumitinding kahirapan, tanging mula sa pag-aasam para sa isang sosyalistang lipunan makakakuha ng kongkretong pag-asa ang milyun-milyong deboto ng Nazareno at ang iba pang naghihirap na mamamayan upang maibsan ang kalbaryong dinaranas nila sa buhay," pagwawakas ni Arellano. ###

REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)

[On the Aquino-Corona rift] Urban poor group challenges CJ Corona

2012-01-09T17:30:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 09 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP (KADAMAY)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor group challenged Chief Justice Renato Corona to take popular pro-poor actions in order for him to earn the support of the sector and the people. The group also expressed its fear that the urban poor could be used by certain political factions to amplify their narrow demands and serve their interests related to the impeachment case faced by the chief justice.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) supported the impeachment case against Corona in a statement released yesterday.

Kadamay national chairperson Ka Leleng Zarsuela in its statement simply said, "we will be supporting the coming proceeding as it is one way of making Arroyo accountable of her crimes to the people."

The group also expressed its doubt on the sincerity of the Aquino administration in making CGMA accountable for her crimes to the people. "Aside from getting back at Corona for the Supreme Court's decision on the disputed 6,500-hectare Luisita land, the impeachment case might just be another popular move of the Aquino administration to cover-up its failure to address the apparent widespread poverty of its people," Zarsuela said.

Pro-poor actions
Meanwhile, Zarsuela added that "by taking pro-poor actions, Corona can easily prove to the people that he is not Arroyo's last ace, and get the upper hand in this political battle. We have long been waiting for someone to intervene on the attacks of the Arroyo and Aquino administrations to the urban poor."

As an example, Zarsuela said: "The Supreme Court can issue a temporary restraining order on the violent demolition of urban poor communities like Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City, and North Triangle in QC. Both communities face threats of demolition this week."

"By issuing Supreme Court decisions that directly serve the interests of the poor, the judiciary and the Chief Justice will surely earn the sympathy of the wider public in this highly critical political battle," according to Zarsuela.

Critical point
"We are threading on a significant point in our history similar during the two EDSA revolutions, and the urban poor must again be critical not to let the ruling class only further its interest," Zarsuela said.

According to the leader, 'It must be clear that the recent rift among the ruling class is but an opportunity for the urban poor to advance its demand for substantial change and benefit."

Pay-to-mobilize scheme
"A group close to the Aquino administration as well as other groups notorious for their pay-to-mobilize scheme has been courting urban poor organizations in Metro Manila to join protest actions that serve certain political interests," Zarsuela claimed.

As the impeachment hearing against Corona will kick-off on Jan 16 at the Senate, protests supporting both camps are to be expected in the nation’s capital.

"The urban poor have played a significant role in big mobilizations that has changed the course of Philippine history, partly because of their number and their proximity to the battleground. The other reason is that they are easy to mobilize for a small amount as low as P20-50, and sometimes for just a single meal," Zarsuela said.

She called on the urban poor in Metro Manila, and nearby regions not be blinded by the measly amount poured on urban poor communities by some political groups. ###

REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano l National secretary-general (09213927457)

Urban poor group irate over another OPH to start off 2012

2012-01-03T13:01:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 03 JANUARY 2012
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Militant urban poor alliance Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) warns the Aquino administration of the possible backlash of yet another oil price hike on the third day of the new year.

Today, Pilipinas Shell is increasing the prices of unleaded gas by 90 centavos per liter, regular gas by 60 centavos, diesel by 30 centavos, and kerosene by 20 centavos. Officials said the increases reflected the movement of prices of oil in the international market.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general says the government should consider the new OPH as a 'bad omen' for the Aquino administration during a very early period of a tumultuous year characterized by harsher effects of the global economic crisis.

"Aquino should be wary that the past EDSA revolutions did spark on the first quarter of the year, when the people are more optimistic of the long year ahead," Arellano says.

"It is not a good thing to allow an oil price in this period of the year, no matter how surveys reveal that Aquino's popularity coupled with Filipino optimism is at a relatively high point," she adds.

Arellano also claims that the people is really starting to doubt on the government's measures of addressing the OPH and overpricing schemes of the giant oil cartel, that Aquino has promised last year.

According to the group, today's increase on oil prices is only a precedent of uncontrollable hikes on prices of petroleum products and of basic commodities to characterize the entire 2012.

"Sooner or later, the price hikes shall take its toll on the impoverished populace, and on the Aquino administration," Arellano says.

Kadamay says 'the Aquino administration will surely be at a very vulnerable position as long as deregulation policy remains its only means of addressing the oil price problem in the country.'

The group also vows to continue its battle against the Oil Deregulation Law and the giant oil cartel that they refer to as 'among the biggest culprits that exacerbate urban poverty that plagues some 30 million Filipinos in the country's urban centers.' ###

Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

Urban poor group asks: Can the gov't prevent another Sendong-like disaster?

2011-12-29T13:02:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 29 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--An urban poor group, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has slammed the idiotic and criminal neglect of the Aquino government over its failure to heed warnings as early as last year by several groups that Cagayan de Oro was doomed to suffer Ondoy-like floods. It also blamed the recent tragedy on the government's lack of sincerity to address the worsening housing problem of Filipino urban poor nationwide, especially those who live along riverbanks and other danger zones.

Members of Kadamay in Metro Manila with Anakpawis Partylist will be joining at 6pm today simultaneous candle lighting actions in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City for the victims of large-scale mining and ilegal logging in Mindanao.

"Does Aquno has the sincerity and capacity to prevent another Sendong-like disaster while his governement has only offered demolition of homes, among other sufferings, to the urban poor," Ricky Indecio says, Kadamay spokesperson says.

“Malacañang has already admitted it turned deaf on the warnings issued by the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP) which has clearly pointed out the need to put into place disaster prevention mechanisms in Cagayan de Oro City, for three times since Aquino assumed his post,” Indecio adds.

Relocation fund
According to Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general, "the recent report of the Aquino government to allot budget P10.55 billion relocation program for those who live in danger areas and slum areas is too late, as the government has never sincerely addressed the squatting problem ever since Ondoy. And we doubt that this fund would ever be for the benefit the urban poor."

"Either the residents would reject the relocation offer to far-flung relocation sites because of lack of livelihood opportunities, or the P10 billion relocation funds would only fall into hands of a few politicians and non-government organizations that are in connivance with big low-cost housing firms," she says.

"Meanwhile, in-city relocation plan has remained on the drawing board," she adds.

Criminal minds
"It is not the stubbornness or the 'criminal minds' of the urban poor that made them decide to live in danger areas," Arellano explains.

"They are forced to live along river banks because their income cannot make them avail of a house in city's residential areas that seem to be only for the elite or the middle class, while danger areas give them easy access to their sources of livelihood,” she adds.

The Aquino administration should address the basic problem of lack of regular employment and decent wages for the millions of urban poor nationwide so they can afford decent housing in the urban centers, the group says.

"Unless this is resolved, no relocation program will answer the squatter problem in the country, and avoid another tragedy brought by Ondoy and Sendong," Arellano adds.

The group says, Aquino should as well address the 'faulty' land reform program in the country.

As landlessness in the countryside drives hundreds of thousands of peasants into urban centers nationwide each year, Arellano says, the limited employment in the cities will only force the urban poor to live on city spaces free from monthly rentals, or where housing rentals is less costly.

A sad event to end the year
Kadamay considers 2011 as one of the saddest years for the urban poor. The year is marked by counts of big fires on urban poor communities, massive demolition of homes, and relocation of thousands of urban poor families to far-flung relocation sites where their lives have been worse than ever.

"This year, we have lost hundreds of lives from a natural disaster that is triggered by man-made activities. While the government has been protecting the big mining and logging firms, hundreds of thousands of Filipino urban poor families living along riverbanks remain susceptible to big flash floods," Arellano says.

"The tragedy in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City is comparable to Ormoc flash flood brought by Typhoon Uring in 1999, and the 2000 Payatas tragedy. Lost of thousands of lives could have been avoided had it not for the greed of a few," she adds.

“The Aquino administration has done nothing for the urban poor but demolition of our homes, unending price hikes, meager wages and massive unemployment. But he has been a die-hard supporter of big mining and logging firms and foreign businessmen who are robbing the country of its natural resources,“ he says.

The group calls on the Aquino administration to stop all the operations of large-scale mining and logging firms all over the country. As well as full-assistance and rehabilitation of urban poor communities and families ravaged by Sendong. ###

[Money can't make up for an incomplete family] 'Sure blue Christmas for 12M OFW families'--Kadamay

2011-12-24T13:08:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 24 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) says some 12 million Filipino families will 'surely' be having a blue Christmas, referring to families that will be incomplete with one or more of their members working abroad.

A Fourth Quarter 2011 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey also shows expectations of a sad Christmas increased by four points from 7 percent in 2010 to 11 percent in 2011, surpassing the all-time high sadness level of 10 percent posted in 2004 and 2009.

Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says, a blue Christmas willl be an inevitable face of the Filipino tradition in the years to come brought by intensified labor export policy as the government has been a consistent endorser of globalization.

"Money can't compensate for an incomplete family. Even modern communication can't replace the happiness that a complete family welcoming the Noche Biena brings," Arellano adds.

The urban poor group has another recent SWS survey to back its claim, which reveals that family togetherness is on top of the non-material wish list of every Filipino this Christmas together with good health.

Kadamay has also slammed the world-record biggest Kris Kringle that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently offered to relatives of millions of relatives of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"For a government with economy greatly dependent on overseas remittances, all the government can offer is superficial happiness to the relatives of millions of OFWs. It remains helpless in addressing the social, economic and security risks that Filipinos face abroad," Arellano says.

OFWs on deathrows
"We are very sad as three more Filipino families are waiting for Christmas with news that their bread-winners are to be executed in Saudi Arabia in the days to come, and all we can do is wait," she adds.

Members of Kadamay cry for justice for many other OFWs who are on deathrows abroad, together with their families who feel very helpless.

"Labor export program is nightmare that we have to endure bacause of the inability of the government to provide decent and enough jobs for millions of Filipinos," Arellano says.

Arellano expalins: "Techinically, our economy is dwarfed by neol-liberal policies, in order to encourage labor export from Third World countries to maintain the low wage of workers in First World countries due to competition."

Greatest gift from the government
Even with millions of OFWs flowing in billions of dollars of remmittances to their families here in Philippines, the group asks, "Why is it that millions of Filipino families still live in penury?"

"It's about time that the Aquino government doubt its penchant for exporting millions OFWs, and think of implementing a national industrialization free from the dictates of neo-liberal policies, to offer jobs to millions of OFWs abroad and millions jobless in the country," Arellano says.

"It could be the greatest gift the government could offer to OFW families and poor Filipino families this Christmas," Kadamay says.###

'Sendong tragedy justifies NPA attacks on mining firms'--urban poor group

2011-12-24T13:07:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 24 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

CAGAYAN DE ORO City, Philippines--An urban poor group has outrightly blamed the Aquino administrations' pro-large-scale mining policies as behind the death of more than a thousand urban poor from Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan city after Tropical storm Sendong washed away urban poor communities along river bank.

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says in a statement: "The death of more than a thousand Sendong victims only justifies the recent attacks initiated by the Communist Party if the Philippines' armed wing, the New People's Army, on big mining companies in Mindanao,"

"Said bombings have highlighted the government's abuse of Mother Nature, more than the revolutionary tax issue that the reactionary hails. The NPA's actions have earned public support back then, and would continue to do so in the aftermath of Sendong," she adds.

In recent years, big mining firms have destroyed hectares of watersheds in Mindanao and have brought down uncounted number of trees, according to the group. Television footages reveal tons of logs that are washed away to riverbanks in the aftermath of Sendong' havoc.

"We cry for justice for the death of our brothers who died innocently because of the Aquino administration's greed for profit and penchant for neo-liberal policies at the expense of its citizens. We call on the administration to stop all mining activities operating in the country."

Aquino, pro-large-scale mining
The group slams President Aquino's defense of large-scale mining that operates in the country. Between large scale mining and small scale mining, President Benigno Aquino III is batting for the former, Arellano says.

Aquino bared his preference in a media interview in Palo, Leyte in October where he addressed the 67th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration.

The solution really is large-scale mining that has the capability to correct the damage to the environment but would avoid damage to begin with, Aquino added.

Aquino, though, said he has ordered a panel composed of the country’s top environment officials to craft a mining policy that will ensure the environment is protected while at the same time maximize the industry’s benefits for the country.

Mining attacks
Recently, big foreign-owned mining firms in Mindanao were raided by members of the NPA after the CPP has called on to dismantle “environmentally-exploitative and destructive large-scale mining companies” operating in Caraga Region.

This forced the government to intensify its military surveillance and protection on major mining firms, as the government fears of the attacks to cause jitters in the mining industry and send the message that investments might not be safe without tight security.

"We call for the immediate pull-out of military forces that are protecting these big mining firms. It will only be a matter of conscience if they continue to serve the interest of the those who have caused the death of thousands of Filipinos," Arellano says.

Call for support
The group also calls for assistance for its members and other flash flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City, the city that has been hit worst by the tropical storm, as well as in other areas that have been havocked by Sendong.

Kadamay Cagayan de Oro chapter has called on for the relief of urban poor who celebrate Christmas homeless and foodless, as well as their rehabilitation of the communities in the long run.

"We welcome the overwhelming support of the Filipino people to the victims of Sendong, as it is high time to share our blessings this Christmas," Arellano says. ###

[Defensive and over challenged in 2011] 'Sad Christmas in a very sad year for 30M urban poor'--Kadamay

2011-12-24T13:04:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 24 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--"It will be a sad Christmas in a very sad year for some 30 million Filipino urban poor."

This is the statement of a militant group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

2011, according to the group, is undoubtedly among the saddest years for some millions of urban poor families in the country, and thousands of them shall face their worst Christmas ever in cities wrecked by tropical storm Sending (international name: Washi).

A Fourth Quarter 2011 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey also shows expectations of a sad Christmas for Filipinos increased by four points from 7 percent in 2010 to 11 percent in 2011, surpassing the all-time high sadness level of 10 percent posted in 2004 and 2009.

"Pessimism for 2012 is undeniably high among the urban poor Filipinos who suffered from the worst man-made and natural disaster this year, Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says in a statement.

The group cites the notable incidents have resulted to death of thousands of urban poor, as the flash floods brought by Sendong, as well the fires that ravage urban poor communities due to a plane crash and others believed as related to demolition of homes.

"Close to 10,000 urban poor families have suffered the tragic fate," Arellano says, excluding almost the same number of urban poor whose lives has been miserable after the government relocate them to far-flung relocation sites that lack basic facilities and livelihood opportunities.

Aquino's demolition rampage
The year is marked, according to the group, by the violent demolition rampage of the Aquino regime, where residents fought head-to-head with demolition teams, noting the violent demolition in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan City, and in Laperal compound in Makati City.

"We have lost three urban poor leaders, this year, killed in defense of their communities, while hundreds were injured," Arellano says.

According to the group, a strafing incident committed by private security guard to protesting Villa Abrille residents in Davao City, is among the worst attacks to the sector.

Arellano adds, "Compared to previous years, the urban poor have been placed in a highly defensive and an over challenged situation to secure their basic rights."

Uncontrolled price hikes
The uncontrolled price hikes of basic commodities including food due to price hikes in petroleum products, and the massive unemployment and the measly wage of a few portion of the urban poor with jobs, continue to take its toll this year.

"A very high hunger rate at 23.1% of the population experiencing involuntary hunger is recorded this year, accounting to some 4.3 million families, based on a nationwide survey," Arellano says.

With a very limited source of employment and livelihood opportunities, the urban poor are forced to trim down their diet to twice a day, with some are even having a rice-less meal, according to Kadamay.

Kadamay has also recorded 75% increase in the price of rice, at P32 per kilo from its P18.25 selling price last year.

Arellano questions the sincerity of the President Aquino in addressing the widespread poverty experienced by millions of Filipino.

Lack of job opportunities
She asks, "While the government can spend some P39 billion for a dole out program for the poorest of the poor in its Condition Cash Transfer program, why can't it provide the fund to create jobs and increase the wage of the workers?"

And while hundreds of thousands of peasants go to urban centers every year, leading to a tighter competition for the job opportunities in the cities, Kadamay has questioned the 'faulty' land reform program of the Aquino administration.

Referring to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms, the group says, "the decade long land reform program of the government, first implemented during the Cory Aquino administration, should be replaced by a genuine program that will truly empowers the millions of peasants against the greed of a few landlord clans."

"The urban poor are faced by a bigger challenge next year to demand the landlord president to implement a national industrialization and a genuine agrarian reform program," Arellano says.

"These remain to be the only solutions to the chronic poverty that plagues more than 93 millions of poor Filipinos," she ends.###

[Pananahimik ng AFP, binira ng Kadamay] Koneksyon sa military, posibleng hadlang sa pagtugis kay Palparan

2011-12-22T21:11:00.002+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (09213927457 l 7485565)

QUEZON CITY--Binira ng militanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) ang pananahimik ng AFP hinggil sa dati nitong heneral na si Jovito Palparan, Jr.

Si Palparan, na tinaguriang 'berdugo' ng mga militante ay ngayo'y nagtatago sa batas matapos maisyuhan noong Martes ng warrant of arrest mula sa Regional Trial Court sa Bulacan para sa kasong pagdukot sa dalawang estudyante ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

Nagtangka rin ang dating heneral na pumuga ngunit napigilan siya ng mga opisyales ng imigrasyon na makaalis ng bansa mula sa isang airport sa Pampanga.

Nangangamba rin ang grupo ng mga maralita na ang koneksyon ni Palparan sa matataas na opisyales sa military ay hindi malayong maging hadlang sa pagtugis ng gubyerno sa 'berdugo.'

Ayon kay Gloria Arellano, pambansang panglahatang kalihim ng Kadamay, hindi maikakailang isang matinding kahihiyan para sa Armed Forces of the Philippines ang ginagawang pagtatago ni Palparan.

"Kasabay ng pagdiriwang kahapon ng ika-76 na anibersaryo kahapon, ang AFP bilang isa sa pinakamatatagal nang institusyon sa bansa ay dapat mahiya sa pagkupkop nito sa isang berdugong kagaya ni Palparan," ayon kay Arellano.

Dapat din diumano magbigay ng isang 'public apology' ang AFP sa mamamayan.

Dungis sa integridad ng AFP
"Ang tangkang pagtakas at pantatago ngayon ni Palparan, gayundin ang pananahimik ng AFP ay nangangahulugan lamang na guilty siya sa kanyang mga kasalanan," dagdag ni Arellano.

Dinungisan ni Palparan ang integridad ng AFP bilang protektor ng mamamayan, gayundin ng ating batas, banggit pa ng grupo.

Sabi pa ni Arellano, "Naniniwala kami na posibleng may mga koneksyon ang dating heneral sa matataas na opisyales ng militar, at maaring ito ang maging hadlang para mahatid si Palparan sa kustodiya ng korte, at makamit ang katarungan para sa mga naging biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao."

"Sa halip na manahimik, dapat kondenahin ng AFP ang pagtatago ng dati nitong heneral, tulungan ang PNP at NBI na hanapin siya at i-turn-over siya sa korte para harapin ang mga kasong nakasampa laban sa kanya," dagdag ni Arellano.

Bago pa ipag-utos ng korte ang pag-aresto kay Palparan, matagal na itong tinaguriang dead man walking, at napabalita ring nangunguna ito sa listahan ng mga tinukoy na kriminal ng Hukumang Bayan o People's Court ng Communist Party of the Philippines.

Urban militarization at mga kaso ng pamamaslang
Naniniwala rin ang Kadamay na marami pa sa hanay ng kasundaluhan ang umiidolo kay Palparan at kinikonsente ang mga extra-judicial killing upang diumano ay maapula ang lumalalang kaso ng insurhensiya sa bansa.

Ayon pa kay Arellano, hindi makakalimutan ng mga maralitang lungsod ang pananalasa na hinatid ni Palparan sa daan-daang maralitang komunidad na naging militarisado sa panahon ng kanyang 'reign of terror' sa ilalim ng administrasyong Arroyo.

Mula 2003, bilang paghahanda sa pambansang halalan ng 2004, nadokumento ng Kadamay ang presenya ng mga militar sa mga maralitang komunidad, lalo na sa mga lugar na may banta ng demolisyon, at iyong mga itinuturing na balwarte ng mga militanteng organisasyon sa kalunsuran. Hanggang ngayon ay nagpapatuloy pa rin dimano ang urban militarization sa bisa ng Oplan Bayanihan ng rehimeng Aquino ayon sa grupo.

Binanggit din ng Kadamay ang mga kaso ng extra-judicial killing na sinapit ng dalawa nitong lider mula sa Eastern Visayas at Cagayan Valley, kasama ng daan-daan pang mga aktibistang pinaslang at dinukot sa mga rehiyon kung saan nadeploy si Palparan. ###

'It takes a thousand lives for the govt to address squatter problem'--Kadamay

2011-12-22T16:28:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

"It is sad that a thousand lives have to be sacrificed for the government to sincerely act on the squatter problem in urban centers. Thousands of urban poor have to be drowned by flood, and buried in mud before the government would implement the relocation of those living in danger areas."

This is the statement of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), a militant urban poor group, after President Aquino has announced a permanent relocation for the urban poor in Cagayan de Oro City affected by tropical storm Sendong.

With this, Aquino ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent the displaced residents from returning to areas that have been declared as Cagayan de Oro's danger zones.

Yesterday, President Aquino has reportedly led the ground breaking ceremony of a relocation site in Pasay City to house urban poor in Metro Manila who are living in danger areas.

The national government has allotted P10.55 billion as fund to aid the relocation of urban poor, and has announced to spend P50 billion a year until 2016 to solve the squatter problem in the country.

Just for phot-ops
But Kadamay says, the huge relocation fund is just for photo-ops as it is bound to be another palliative 'pro-poor' program of the Aquino administration.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretery-general says, "The recent report of the Aquino government to allot budget P10.55 billion relocation program for those who live in danger areas and slum areas is too late, as the government has never sincerely addressed the squatting problem ever since Ondoy."

"We doubt that this fund would ever benefit the urban poor," she adds.

Arellano says, "The relocation program needs to have the economic component. otherwise, the urban poor settlers would return to their old place in no time, where they could have an easy access to livelihood opportunities."

"Either the residents would reject the relocation offer to far-flung relocation sites because of lack of livelihood opportunities, or the P10 billion relocation funds would only fall into hands of a few politicians and non-government organizations that are in connivance with big low-cost housing firms," she says.

"Meanwhile, in-city relocation plan has remained on the drawing board," she points out.

Danger areas, off-limit
The group slams Aquino's order prohibiting the urban poor from going back to their old places, saying that it's survival that drives them to stay in danger areas.

“Going back to danger areas should no longer be permitted. I want that very clear… (there should be) no settlement in portions already described as extremely dangerous, …like Isla de Oro, and neighboring barangays…,” the President said in a briefing with government officials in the CDO last Tuesday..

"It is not the stubbornness or the 'criminal minds' of the urban poor that made them decide to live in danger areas," Arellano explains.

"They are forced to live along river banks because their income cannot make them avail of a house in city's residential areas that seem to be only for the elite or the middle class, while danger areas give them easy access to their sources of livelihood,” she adds.

Real solution to the squatter problem
The Aquino administration should address the basic problem of lack of regular employment and decent wages for the millions of urban poor nationwide so they can afford decent housing in the urban centers, the group says.

"Unless this is resolved, no relocation program will answer the squatter problem in the country, and avoid another tragedy brought by Ondoy and Sendong," Arellano adds.

The group says, Aquino should as well address the 'faulty' land reform program in the country.

As landlessness in the countryside drives hundreds of thousands of peasants into urban centers nationwide each year, Arellano says, the limited employment in the cities will only force the urban poor to live on city spaces free from monthly rentals, or where housing rentals is less costly.

Call for support
The group still calls for assistance for its members and other flash flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City, the city that has been hit worst by the tropical storm, as well as in other areas that were havocked by Sendong.

Kadamay Cagayan de Oro chapter has started its relief drive and operation since Sunday.

"We welcome the overwhelming support of the Filipino people for the victims of Sendong, as it is high time to share our blessings this Christmas," Arellano says. ###

Message to Palparan: Avoid slum areas!--urban poor group

2011-12-22T16:27:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--A militant urban poor group warns fugitive Gen. Jovito Palparan from hiding in slum areas and other urban poor communities that are bailiwick of militant organizations including Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general, says: "We have called on our community leaders nationwide to watch out for any possibility that the ex-general would take cover in urban poor communities after a Bulacan court has issued his arrest on Tuesday.".

Before the Philippine government has ordered the arrest of Palparan, the ex-general has long been dubbed as a dead man walking, and reported to have topped the list of considered criminals by the Communist Party of the Philippines' People's Court.

Urban militirization and EJK
Arellano says, the urban poor have not forgotten the havoc he brought to hundreds of urban poor communities that were militarized during his reign as the head of the Arroyo administration's anti-insurgency campaign.

From 2004 until today, military presence has been noted in urban poor communities that face threats of demolition, and those considered as bailiwicks of militant organizations.

Kadamay has also noted the extra-judiciary killing of two of its urban poor leaders in the Eastern Visayas and Cagayan Valley regions, among hundreds of other activists that were killed and abducted in regions where the ex-general was deployed.

A shame for the AFP
"His hiding only suggests guilt. It is a shame for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to have cuddled a 'butcher' like Palparan who is now turned into a fugitive of law," Arellano adds.

"Palparan has tarnished the integrity of the AFP, as the protector of civilian citizens, and the protector of law," says Kadamay.

"It must be a prerogative of the AFP to search for him and turn him over to the court to hear the criminal cases hailed against him," Arellano ends. ###

[AFP's silence hit] Kadamay fears military connections keeping Palparan at large

2011-12-22T13:14:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Militant urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) denounces the silence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as its ex-general Jovito Palparan, Jr has now turned into a fugitive. This after a Bulacan court has ordered his arrest with four other military officials on Tuesday.

The retired general has attempted to leave the country but immigration officers blocked him at an airport in Pampanga province.

Kadamay also fears the Palaparan's connections with AFP's high-ranking officials would prevent the government from hunting down the 'butcher.'

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general, says: "Palparan is a shame for the Armed Forced of the Philippines".

"As it celebrated its 76th anniversary yesterday, the AFP as an old institution must be shameful to have cuddled a 'butcher' like Palparan who is now turned into a fugitive from law," Arellano says.

AFP's integrity tarnished
"Palparans' flee attempt and continued hiding only suggest his guilt, and so is the AFP's silence on the issue," Arellano adds.

"Palparan has tarnished the integrity of the AFP, as the protector of civilian citizens, and the protector of law," says Kadamay.

With his military connections, that group believes it is not also impossible that some elements of the AFP are even keeping the ex-general from the custody of the court.

"To retrieve its honor, it must be a prerogative for the AFP to search for Palparan and turn him over to the court to hear the criminal cases hailed against him," Arellano says.

Before the court has ordered his arrest, the ex-general has long been dubbed as a dead man walking, and reported to have topped the list of considered criminals by the Communist Party of the Philippines' People's Court.

Urban militarization and EJK persist
Kadamay also believes there are still plenty of military officers among the AFP ranks who idolize Palparan, and condone the extra-judiciary killings to address the insurgency problem in the Philippines.

Arellano says, the urban poor have not forgotten the havoc he brought to hundreds of urban poor communities that were militarized during his 'reign of terror' under the Arroyo administration.

Since 2003, in preparation for the 2004 national election, military presence was documented in urban poor communities that face threats of demolition, and those considered as bailiwicks of militant organizations. Urban militarization, according to the group, persists until today albeit discretely through Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan.

Kadamay has also noted the extra-judiciary killing of two of its leaders in the Eastern Visayas and Cagayan Valley regions, among the hundreds of other activists that were killed and abducted in regions where the Palparan was deployed. ###

Sendong reveals abuses to Mother Nature--urban poor group

2011-12-19T01:56:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines--An urban poor group, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), has blamed the Aquino government's protection and connivance with large-scale mining and logging firms in Mindanao for the big flash floods that caused rivers in the island to swell and drowned hundreds of urban poor residing along river banks.

Urban poor living near riverbanks were drowned to death, and buried in mud as Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro City , Iligan City and other cities in Mindanao last night. According to reports, it is the most destructive calamity to hit the South in years.

The number of dead had risen to 436, according to the latest Philippine Red Cross (PRC) report, while hundreds are still missing and feared to be buried in thick mud.

"The sad tragedy is another reason why the Filipino people should resist the presence of foreign large-scale mining and logging in the island's thick forests," Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general, says.

"In recent years, big mining firms have destroyed hectares of watersheds in Mindanao and have brought down uncounted number of trees. Television footages reveal tons of logs that are washed away to riverbanks in the aftermath of Sendong' havoc," Arellano adds.

Aquino, pro-large-scale mining
The group also slams Aquino's defense of large-scale mining in a recent media interview. The group says between large scale mining and small scale mining, President Benigno Aquino III is batting for the former.

Aquino bared his preference in a media interview in Palo, Leyte last October where he addressed the 67th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration.

The solution really is large-scale mining that has the capability to correct the damage to the environment but would avoid damage to begin with, Aquino added.

Aquino said that he has ordered a panel composed of the country’s top environment officials to craft a mining policy that will ensure the environment is protected while at the same time maximize the industry’s benefits for the country.

Mining attacks
Recently, big foreign-owned mining firms in Mindanao were raided by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) after the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has called on to dismantle “environmentally-exploitative and destructive large-scale mining companies” operating in Caraga Region.

This forced the government to intensify its military surveillance and protection on major mining firms, as the government fears of the attacks to cause jitters in the mining industry and send the message that investments might not be safe without tight security.

Meanwhile, an army general has reportedly cancelled his troops' Christmas party to assist the victims in Cagayan De Oro City and neighboring provinces.

"Instead of protecting the mining firms, it is only right time for the military to aid the victims of the Aquino's destructive abuses to Mother Nature, for investments that have never benefitted its people," Arellano says.

Call for support
The group also calls for assistance for its members and other flash flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City, the city that has been hit worst by the typhoon, as well as in other areas that have been and will be havocked by Sendong.

Kadamay Cagayan de Oro chapter has started its relief drive and operation as of this morning.

"We welcome the overwhelming support of the Filipino people to the victims of typhoon Sendong, as it is high time to share our blessings this Christmas," Arellano says. ###

Lack of sincerity to address squatter problem, behind 'Sendong' tragedy--urban poor group

2011-12-19T01:55:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 18 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

An urban poor group, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has blamed the recent tragedy brought by typhoon Sendong on the government's lack of sincerity to address the worsening housing problem of Filipino urban poor nationwide, especially those who live along riverbanks and other danger zones.

Reminiscent to the onslaught brought by Ondoy in 2009, urban poor living near riverbanks were drowned to death as Sendong hit Cagayan de Oro City , Iligan City and other cities in Mindanao and Negros island. According to reports, it is the most destructive calamity to hit the South in years.

The number of dead had risen to 436, according to the latest report from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

According to Gloria Arellano, "the recent report of the Aquino government to allot budget P10.55 billion relocation program for those who live in danger areas and slum areas is too late, as the government has never sincerely addressed the squatting problem ever since Ondoy. And we doubt that this fund would even benefit the urban poor."

"Either the residents would reject the relocation offer to far-flung relocation sites because of lack of livelihood opportunities, or the P10 billion relocation funds would only fall into hands of a few politicians and non-government organizations that are in connivance with big low-cost housing firms," she says.

"Meanwhile, in-city relocation plan has remained on the drawing board," she adds.

Criminal minds
"It is not the stubbornness or the 'criminal minds' of the urban poor that made them decide to live in danger areas," Arellano explains.

"They are forced to live along river banks because their income cannot make them avail of a house in city's residential areas that seem to be only for the elite or the middle class, while danger areas give them easy access to where their livelihood is,” she adds.

The Aquino administration should address the basic problem of lack of regular employment and decent wages for the millions of urban poor nationwide so they can afford decent housing in the urban centers, the group says.

"Unless this is resolved, no relocation program will answer the squatter problem in the country, and avoid another tragedy brought by Ondoy and Sendong," Arellano adds.

The group says, Aquino should as well address the 'faulty' land reform program in the country.

As landlessness in the countryside drives hundreds of thousands of peasants into urban centers nationwide each year, Arellano says, the limited employment in the cities will only force the urban poor to live on city spaces free from monthly rentals, or where housing rentals is less costly.

The group calls for assistance for their members and the urban poor victims in Cagayan de Oro City that has been hit worst by the typhoon, as well as in other areas that have been and will be havocked by Sendong. ###

Grupong Kadamay, maglulusad ng Paskuhan ng Maralita bukas, tinawag na Grinch si Pang. Aquino

2011-12-15T01:52:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 16 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY--Maglulunsad bukas ng hapon ang iba’t-ibang grupo ng maralita sa ilalim ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) ng kanilang version ng Lantern Parade sa Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

Ipagdiriwang bukas ng Kadamay ang ikalawang taon ng kanilang Paskuhan ng Maralita. Mangunguna sa parada ng mga parol na yari sa mga recycled materials ang imahe ni Pangulong Aquino na naka-costume ng isang Grinch.

Ayon sa tagapagsalita ng grupo na si Gloria Arellano, “Ninakaw ni Noynoy ang Pasko ng libu-libong maralita nang tanggalan niya ng kabahayan at kabuhayan ang mga ito sa walang-habas na demolisyon na isinasagawa ng rehimen.”

“Kaiba sa pasko ng mga maralita, iilang pamilyang Pilipino lang kasama na si Pangulong Aquino ang ngayong Pasko ay sasalubong sa Noche Buena na puno ang pagkain sa hapag-kainan,” ani Arellano

Dagdag pa ni Arellano, sa higit 500 araw nang pagiging pangulo, pantawid-gutom na CCT at mga PPP projects na nagwawasak sa kabahayan ng maralita ang alok sa maralita ni Noynoy, samantalang nananatili pa ring marami ang wala o di-kaya’y kapos sa trabaho, at nagtitiyaga sa kakarampot na kita.

Diumano, hirap nang makaipon sa panahon ngayon ang mga maralita. “Wala ring ginawa si Noynoy para pigilan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin lalo na ang pagkain. Patuloy ang pagsirit ng presyo ng gasolina, kuryente at tubig,” dagdag pa ni Arellano.

Paskuhan ng Maralita
Ngayong hapon, magsisimula ang parada ng mga maralita sa National Housing Authority. Dadaan ang parada sa ilang ahensiya ng gubyerno sa paligid ng Elliptical Road gaya ng Department of Agrarian Reform, National Anti-Poverty Commission at National Food Authority.

Sa bawat istasyon ay maglulunsad ang mga maralita ng maikling kulturang pagtatanghal at caroling ng mga demands ng maralita sa partikular na ahensiya. Maghahandog naman ng mga regalo katulad ng CARPEr, CCT, P32/kilong bigas at P10B relocation fund ang nakabihis-Grinch na si Noynoy para sa mga maralita.

Sa main program ng Paskuhan ng Maralita na gaganapin sa gate ng NHA, sisindihan ng mga lider ang isang malaking tala sa taas ng 6-talampakang ChristmasTree na gawa rin sa mga recycled materials. Nakasulat sa tala ang pangunahing kahilingan ng maralita na Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa at Pambansang Industriyalisasyon, na diumano ay siyang tanging solusyon sa paghihirap na dinaranas ng milyung-milyong Pilipino. ###

[On Aqino's veto of debt cap] 'Veto debt-servicing instead'--urban poor group to PNoy

2011-12-15T01:46:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 15 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

MANILA, Philippines--Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) slams President Aquino's veto, just like last year, of a provision inserted by the Congress on the 2012 national budget that would guard the government over-borrowing funds and spending excessively on infrastructures and other development projects.

Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says, "It is a sign of the Aquino administrations' puppetry to the dictates of neo-liberal policies, that encourage more public borrowings from the World Bank (WB) and other financial institutions at the peak of the global economic crisis."

Kadamay notes that to protect their interests amidst the global financial crisis, global financial institutions have imposed policies that encourage nations to borrow more from these institutions, and to limit public spending on basic social services including education and health services.

"We call on the Filipino people to have keen eyes on the possible implications of Aquino's removal of debt cap, including over-borrowing by government officials, which the people will pay eventually," Arellano adds.

Instead of vetoing on debt cap, Arellano says, "The government should veto foreign debt-servicing instead."

The budget for debt servicing in 2012 is pegged at P367 billion, 19.6 percent of the total national budget.

"Much of our foreign debt have only fallen into hands of cronies of past administrations, and have never been utilized for the country's development," Arellano adds. "And the public need not shoulder its payment."

Loans for Palliative Programs
The urban poor group has recently slammed the huge fund in the 2012 national budget allotted to 'palliative pro-poor projects' including the P39 billion Conditional Cash Transfer, to which foreign loans are being used as supplements.

WB President Robert Zoellick, in his recent visit, has offered debt-assistance of $100 million for the Aquino administration's CCT program.

"While its long-term effect is yet to be proven, CCT even condones mendicancy among the urban poor," says Arellano.

Official records show that the CCT had started out as an entirely government-funded program. But with a dramatic expansion in the program’s coverage since 2008, the government started to supplement the CCT budget with loans from the WB and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These loans have altogether amounted to $805 million or P34.6 billion at current exchange rates.

Official data also show that for 2010-2011, about 32 percent or P10.2 billion of the expenses for the CCT would be paid through these loans.

"Huge funds for palliative programs should be realigned to programs that provide direct social services and employment to the people," Arellano adds.

State of Indebtedness
Meanwhile in August this year, the government’s debt stock rose to P4.79 trillion (US$111.48 billion), up by 1 percent, from the July level primarily due to a weaker Philippine peso and a net issuance of domestic securities.

This means that with the country’s population at 95.6 million, every Filipino citizen has now an outstanding debt of P50,141 (US$1,166).

Long-term solutions vs. crisis
One of the reasons behind Aquino's veto on imposition of a ceiling on public burrowing is to stimulate economic growth and provide ample services to the poor, amidst the crisis.

Arellano adds that to protect the poor Filipinos from the harsh effects of the global financial crisis, "The government should allot funds to create more jobs and to increase the measly wages of the workers, instead of giving dole-outs to the poor."

"The Aquino administration should control its penchant for following neo-liberal policies that have dwarfed our economies for decades, and have buried millions of Filipinos into a massive foreign debt, and into chronic poverty," she ends. ###

[As threats of eviction of informal settlers continue days before Christmas] Aquino's demolition rampage has no Christmas break -- anti-demolition network

2011-12-14T01:42:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l DECEMBER 14, 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor, 0939.387.3736

MANILA, Philippines--Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a national alliance against demolition of homes and forced eviction of urban poor settlers from their communities, condemns the series of demolition of homes of informal settlers a few days before Christmas, as threats continue.

The network has released a statement after some 300 families were violently evicted from their homes in Dypac Compound, Tondo, Manila last December 12 until this afternoon causing plenty of casualties on the side barricading residents. Eight persons were reported to have been seriously injured, excluding those who were arrested and detained in defense of their homes.

Not only will the residents celebrate Christmas without homes, but also some would celebrate the holiday inside the precinct," Carlito Badion, the alliance convenor says in a statement.

"There will be no happy Christmas for the thousands of urban poor nationwide who have lost their homes as well as for those who will celebrate their Christmas in the government's relocation sites, and who have lived in a hungrier and more impoverished state," he adds.

Massive demolition ahead
The alliance has also slammed the strategic eviction of urban settlers from their spaces in the country's urban poor centers to give way to different development projects under Aquino's Public-Private Partnership program. In Manila, the alliance cites, some 560,000 urban poor families has to be evicted based on the latest government report.

President Aquino has recently announced during the 25th anniversary of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) that the Government has allotted P10.55 billion as relocation fund for the decongestion of country's urban centers.

But according to the network, "the P10 billion fund only means more violent demolition of homes to come, as no demolition of homes has ever occurred peacefully."

Badion adds, "The urban poor have denounced the twisted relocation program of the Government, and have learned to barricade their communities against threat of demolition. More bloodsheds shall expose the anti-poor and elitist character of current regime."

"As the government would face more turbulent days after the Christmas season, when Filipinos would be less optimistic due to economic crisis that they would need to live with for another year, President Aquino should not be comfortable with his high public satisfaction rating," he continues.

Seeking reprisal
"Aquino has stolen our Christmas, and our homes and livelihood. We vow to seek reprisal for the gross human right violation he committed against his own people,” the urban poor leader warms.

According to the network, as the people become hungrier, and angrier, Aquino needs to make his pro-poor stands to sustain his popularity.

"The first step would be increasing the wages of the workers, and creating jobs for the millions unemployed. Then, his penchant for big businesses at the expense of the urban poor has to stop, and so the demolition of urban poor communities,” Badion adds.

Lastly, Badion says, "A genuine agrarian reform and a national industrialization program free from the dictates of neoliberal policies will secure stability to his years of presidency, act as shield against the harsher effects of the global economic crisis, and pacify the mounting social unrest in the urban and in the countryside." ###

Aquino the new 'Grinch' this Christmas--urban poor group

2011-12-13T01:40:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 13 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) tags President Benigno Aquino III as the new Grinch who has stolen Christmas from the urban poor this year.

According to Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general, "Many urban poor won't be having enough food on their table to celebrate Christmas, nor money on their pockets because of the massive unemployment. Thousands urban poor families, too, will celebrate Christmas without homes, if not hungry and impoverished in the government's relocation sites, because of uninterrupted demolition of urban poor communities."

"Aquino will be among the very few Filipino families who will have luxurious Christmas dinner this year while millions worry where to get their food for the Noche Buena," says Arellano. "More than 500 days after he becomes President, the poor have become poorer, and more food-poor than ever. He has done nothing to address the high poverty and hunger rate, as prices of petroleum products and basic commodities like food, electricity and water soar to record level."

Paskuhan ng Maralita
On December 17, Kadamay is set to hold for the second time its Paskuhan ng Maralita, a yearly event characterized by floats handcrafted by different urban poor groups and showcasing the issues that confront the sector. A parade around the Quezon City Elliptical road will start the program.

The group will hold the main program of Paskuhan ng Maralita at the gate of the National Housing Authority as they ask the Aquino administration to halt demolition of homes of urban poor setters.

They will install a ten-foot high Christmas tree at the facade of the agency, while urban poor leaders from different communities in Metro Manila will hang their Christmas wishes written on placards designed as Christmas balls.

This year, paraders will stop by several government agencies around the Elliptical road, such as the Department of Agrarian Reform, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the National Food Authority before holding the main program at the National Housing Authority. Each station will feature urban poor carolers singing the sector's demand to the particular agency.

Aside from the tall Christmas tree, this years' celebration will feature President Benigno Aquino III dressed as the 'Grinch' to lead the parade of floats.

Homeless and food less Christmas
The group slams the Aquino's demolition rampage even as Christmas is fast approaching, citing yesterdays' violent demolition of homes in Dypac Compound in Tondo, Manila that has left not less than 100 families homeless.

Kadamay says threats of demolition of homes continue including North Triangle community and others affected by the Quezon City Central Business District. Arellano adds, "Thousands of urban poor homes nationwide are set to be demolished as early as January next year."

Urban poor wish this Christmas
The group denounces Aquino's 'pro-poor' showcased programs including the Condition Cash Transfer (CCT), with its P39 billion fund for next year to be signed by the President in the coming days, and the P10.55 billion-worth relocation program for the urban poor.

Instead of these 'palliative' programs, the group wishes that the government would implement a genuine agrarian reform program. Arellano says, "The unequal distribution of land in the Philippines has propelled urban migration year after year as urban poverty reaches record high."

"Also, a national industrialization program, free from the dictates of neo-liberal policies would answer the widespread unemployment and stop the export of Filipino laborers to overseas," she says

[‘North Triangle land priced less than half its actual value’] Kadamay calls for a probe into another possible anomalous contract entered by the Arroyo administration

2011-12-13T01:33:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 12 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair l 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) asks the Department of Justice to probe into yet another anomalous joint-venture deal between the National Housing Authority (NHA) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) during the Arroyo administration.

Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair says, “Such contract that is worth P22 billion was sealed by virtue of ex-president Arroyo’s Executive Order 620, an order that would take away homes of not less than 24,000 urban poor families so that Quezon City Central Business District would rise at the heart of city.”

Arroyo issued EO 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) on May 4, 2007, days before the May 2007 election and two weeks after the Arroyo government signed the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.

Badion adds, “We have reports that in the said joint-venture between NHA and ALI, North Triangle land is valued at only P20,000 per square meter, almost half of the value of nearby residential land in the West Triangle, even though this parcel of land is classified by the national government as strategic and highly commercial.”

Way less than half the actual value
“While a residential lot in the neighboring West Triangle is tagged at around P40,000 per square meter, the reported price of North Triangle land could be way less than half its actual value. And considering the timing of the issuance of the executive order that has paved way for such contract, that is during the 2007 national election, somebody may have earned from it,” Badion says.

Kadamay slams the hospital arrest of CGMA, saying that the ex-president deserves to be nowhere but in an ordinary prison cell. “Compared to the case of electoral sabotage during the 2004 election, graft cases such as the NBN-ZTE deal and the Fertilizer Fund scam are relatively stronger that could lead to incarceration of the ex-president,” Badion says.

Another threat of demolition
Meanwhile, NHA has served a 7-day notice of eviction to families occupying ‘illegal structures’ in Sitio San Roque, North Triangle last December 2. Residents have prepared physical and human barricade in case demolition team will arrive this morning.

According to Jocy Lopez, chair of Kadamay North Triangle, “Their life has been miserable after the national government has announced its plan to relocate the residents of North Triangle to Montalban resettlement sites.”

Since September 23 last year, the infamous “Battle of EDSA,” where residents clashed with NHA-hired demolition teams, they have been receiving threats of eviction almost every month.

The residents demand for an urgent repeal of Arroyo’s EO 620 to junk the QCCBD project, and for a full investigation of the joint-venture contract that has paved the way for the demolition of their homes. They also vow to make Arroyo’s stay at the Veterans hospital as miserable as theirs. ###

[‘Lupa sa North Triangle, murang-murang nakuha ng Ayala’] Grupong Kadamay, mananawagan ng imbestigasyon sa posibleng panibagong kaso ng korapsyon ng nakaraang administrasyon

2011-12-13T01:31:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 12 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair l 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Kasabay ng banta ng demolisyon ng mga kabahayan sa North Triangle ngayong umaga, mananawagan ang grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay sa administrasyong Aquino para imbestigahan ang diumano’y maanomalyang pagpepresyo sa lupain ng North Triangle sa panahon ng administrasyong Arroyo.

Ayon kay Carlito Badion, pambansang pangalawang tagapangulo ng Kadamay, kaduda-duda diumano ang pagkakakuha ng Ayala Land Inc, (ALI) sa 29.1 ektaryang lupain sa Sitio San Roque, North Triangle sa halagang P20,000 kada metro kwadrado, mas mababa pa sa kalahati ng aktwal na halaga ng nabanggit na lupa.

Nasungkit diumano ng ALI ang isang joint-venture project na nagkakahalagang 22 biyong piso katuwang ang National Housing Authority (NHA) sa bisa ng Executive Order 620 ng dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ito ang nagbigay daan para idebelop ang mga lupain sa North at East Triangle para sa Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD).

Ang EO 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) ay nilikha ni Arroyo noong Mayo 4, 2007, ilang araw bago ang pambansang halalan noong Mayo 14, 2007, at ilang linggo makalipas namang lagdaan ng gubyerno ang 329 milyong dolyar na halaga ng National Broadband Network (NBN) deal katuwang ang ZTE Corp ng Tsina.

Dagdag pa ni Badion, “Nakakuha kaming report na ang presyong P20,000 per square meter ay halos kalahati lamang ng presyo ng mga residential lot sa katabing West Triangle, gayong ang North Triangle ay kinategoryang ng pambansang pamahalaan bilang isang istratehiko at komersyal na lugar.”

“Kaduda ang timing ng paglalabas ng executive order ng dating pangulo na ilang araw lamang bago ang halalang 2007. Hindi mawawala ang posibilidad na may kumita mula sa nasabing paglalabas ng kautusan,” ani Badion.

Kinokondena ng Kadamay ang pagkaka-hospital arrest sa dating pangulo. Diumano, sa ordinaryong presinto niya dapat pagbayaran ang malalang kasalanan niya sa taumbayan.

“Kung ikukumpara sa kasong electoral sabotage, hindi kailang mas matitibay ang mga graft case laban sa dating pangulo tulad ng NBN-ZTE deal at ang Fertilizer Fund scam. Ang mga ito ang tiyak at mas mabilis na maghahatid sa dating pangulo sa kulungan,” ayon sa grupo.

Panibagong banta ng demolisyon
Samantala, ang ilang pamilya na nakatira sa ‘illegal structure’ sa San Roque, North Triangle ay binigyan noong Disyembre 2 ng pitong araw na palugit ng NHA para baklasin ang kanilang tahanan. Inaasahan nila ang pagdating ng demolition team anumang oras ngayong umaga.

Ayon kay Jocy Lopez ng Kadamay North Triangle, “Naging miserable ang buhay nila simula ng ideklara ng pamahalaan ang paglilikas sa mga residente ng San Roque patungo sa mga relokasyon sa Montalban.”

Buhat noong Setyembre 23 ng nakaraang taon, kung kailan naganap ang sagupaan ng mga residente at demolition team sa EDSA, halos buwanan na silang nakakatanggap ng iba’t-ibang banta ng pagpapalayas sa kanilang komunidad.

Nanawagan ang mga residente kay Pangulong Aquino na kaagad ibasura ang EO 620 at 620-A ni Arroyo, at imbestigahan ang maanomalyang joint-venture contract ng NHA at ALI. Nangako rin sila na hindi nila patatahimikin ang buhay ni Arroyo habang ang dating pangulo ay naka-hospital arrest sa kalapit lamang na Veterans Memorial Medical Center. ###

['CGMA should be jailed for piles of graft cases'] Kadamay storms VMMC anew

2011-12-12T01:38:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 12 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair l 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has asked the Aquino administration to probe into yet another anomalous entered by the Arroyo administration. The Department of Justice should probe the P22 billion joint-venture contract between the National Housing Authority (NHA) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) during the Arroyo administration where North Triangle land is reportedly priced way below its actual value, according to the group.

This morning, led by urban poor groups form North Triangle, Kadamay has staged another protest action at the North Avenue gate of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). Also this morning, North Triangle residents have thwarted yet another demolition attempt of their homes as the 7-day notice of eviction from the (NHA) expires today. They consider CGMA as the mastermind of demolition of their homes, and vow to make Arroyo’s stay at the Veterans hospital as miserable as theirs.

Kadamay has slammed the hospital arrest of Congresswoman Gloria MAcapagal-Arroyo (CGMA), saying that the ex-president deserves to be nowhere but in an ordinary prison cell. “Compared to the case of electoral sabotage during the 2004 election, graft cases such as the NBN-ZTE deal and the Fertilizer Fund scam are relatively stronger that could lead to incarceration of the ex-president,” according to the group's statement.

Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair says, “The Aquino administration should not let Arroyo escaped from other graft cases the involve the past administration, including the anomalous Quezon City-Central Business District."

Yet another anomalous contract entered by the Arroyo administration
"The said NHA-ALI joint venture contract was sealed by virtue of ex-president Arroyo’s Executive Order 620, an order that would take away homes of not less than 24,000 urban poor families so that Quezon City Central Business District would rise at the heart of city,” Badion says.

Arroyo issued EO 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) on May 4, 2007, days before the May 2007 election and two weeks after the Arroyo government signed the $329-million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.

Badion adds, “We have reports that in the said joint-venture between NHA and ALI, North Triangle land is valued at only P20,000 per square meter, almost half of the value of nearby residential land in the West Triangle, even though this parcel of land is classified by the national government as strategic and highly commercial.”

“While a residential lot in the neighboring West Triangle is tagged at around P40,000 per square meter, the reported price of North Triangle land could be way less than half its actual value. And considering the timing of the issuance of the executive order that has paved way for such contract, that is during the 2007 national election, somebody may have earned from it,” Badion says.

Another threat of demolition, thwarted
According to Jocy Lopez, chair of Kadamay North Triangle, “their life has been miserable after the national government has announced its plan to relocate the residents of North Triangle to Montalban resettlement sites.”

Since September 23 last year, the infamous “Battle of EDSA,” where residents clashed with NHA-hired demolition teams, they have been receiving threats of eviction almost every month.

The residents demand for an urgent repeal of Arroyo’s EO 620 to junk the QCCBD project, and for a full investigation of the joint-venture contract that has paved the way for the demolition of their homes.###

[ ‘GCMA, panagutin sa mga kaso ng pandarambong sa taumbayan!’] Grupong Kadamay, muling lumusob sa Veterans hospital

2011-12-12T01:35:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 12 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair l 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Muling lumusob ang grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay sa North Avenue gate ng Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) ngayong umaga. Kinondena ng grupo ang hospital arrest ng dating pangulong at ngayo'y Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Nanguna sa pagkilos ang maralita mula sa kalapit na North Triangle na nahaharap sa banta ng demolisyon at nangakong gagawin nilang miserable para kay CGMA ang kanyang pananatili sa nasabing ospital.

Nanawagan din ang maralita sa administrasyong Aquino na imbestigahan ang diumano’y maanomalyang pagpepresyo sa lupain ng North Triangle sa panahon ng administrasyon Arroyo. Isa lamang diumano ito sa patung-patong na kaso ng pandarambong ng nakaraang administrasyon sa pondo ng taumbayan.

“Kung ikukumpara sa kasong electoral sabotage, hindi kailang mas malalakas ang mga graft case laban sa dating pangulo katulad ng NBN-ZTE deal and the Fertilizer Fund scam. Ang mga ito ang tiyak at mas mabilis na maghahatid sa dating pangulo sa kulungan,” ayon sa pahayag ng grupo.

Maanomalyang presyuhan ng lupa sa North Triangle
Ayon naman kay Carlito Badion, pambansang pangalawang tagapangulo ng Kadamay, “Kaduda-duda diumano ang pagkakakuha ng Ayala Land Inc, (ALI) sa 29.1 ektaryang lupain ng Sitio San Roque, North Triangle sa halagang P20,000 kada metro kwadrado, mas mababa pa sa kalahati ng aktwal na halaga ng nabanggit na lupa.

Nasungkit diumano ng ALI ang isang joint-venture project na nagkakahalagang 22 biyong piso katuwang ang National Housing Authority (NHA) sa bisa ng Executive Order 620 ng dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ito ang nagbigay daan para idebelop ang lupain sa North at East Triangle para sa Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD).

Ang EO 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model)ay nilikha ni Arroyo noong Mayo 4, 2007, ilang araw bago ang pambansang halalan noong Mayo 14, 2007, at ilang linggo makalipas lagdaan ng gubyerno ang 329 milyong dolyar National Broadband Network (NBN) deal katuwang ang China's ZTE Corp.

Dagdag pa ni Badion, “Nakakuha kami ng report na ang presyong P20,000 per square meter, ay halos kalahati lamang ng presyo ng mga residential lot sa katabing West Triangle, gayong ang North Triangle area ay kinategoryang ng pambansang pamahalaan bilang isang istratehiko at komersyal na lugar.”

“Kaduda ang timing ng paglalabas ng executive order ng dating pangulo na ilang araw lamang bago ang halalang 2007. Hindi mawawala ang posibilidad na may kumita mula sa nasabing paglalabas ng kautusan,” ani Badion.

Kinokondena ng Kadamay ang pagkaka-hospital arrest sa dating pangulo. Diumano, sa ordinaryong presinto niya dapat pagbayaran ang malalang kasalanan niya sa taumbayan.

Panibagong banta ng demolisyon
Ayon kay Jocy Lopez ng Kadamay North Triangle, “naging miserable ang buhay ng mga residente ng North Triangle simula ng ideklara ng pamahalaan ang paglilikas sa mga residente ng San Roque patungo sa mga relokasyon sa Montalban.”

Buhat noong Setyembre 23 ng nakaraang taon, kung kailan naganap ang sagupaan ng mga residente at demolition team sa EDSA, halos buwanan na silang nakakatanggap ng iba’t-ibang banta ng pagpapalayas sa kanilang komunidad.

Nanawagan ang mga residente kay Pangulong Aquino na kaagad ibasura ang EO 620 at 620-A ni Arroyo, at imbestigahan ang maanomalyang joint-venture contract ng NHA at ALI. ###

P10b for squatters to add up to huge 'showcase' fund for the poor, says Kadamay

2011-12-10T01:28:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 10 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (0921.392.7457)

MANILA, Philippines—Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has slammed President Benigno Aquino III’s announcement that the government will spend some P10.55 billion for the resettlement of squatters during his watch.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general said, “The P10 billion allotment to relocate the urban poor nationwide from their communities, half of whom found in Metro Manila, will only add up the huge ‘showcase’ fund for the poor that the Aquino administration is boasting of.”

Arellano said, "The Aquino administration government has been using the plight of millions of poor Filipinos to justify its massive spending of public fund for programs that are palliative."

This huge 'showcase' fund includes the controversial P39 billion Cash Conditional Transfer fund for the year 2012, according to the group.

“The Commission on Audit (COA) should keep an eye on how this resettlement fund will be spent, for there are plenty of notorious low-cost housing firms that have been sabotaging the housing fund for the poor since the Estrada administration,” said Kadamay.

Mr. Aquino said the government will spend P10 billion for a vertical housing project in the National Capital Region to house 127,000 informal settler families, including 20,000 living in perilous places.

At least P450 million will be spent for a vertical housing project in Camarin, Caloocan City to benefit informal settler families from North Triangle, Quezon City while P100 million will be for housing units benefiting 4,000 informal settler families residing near the Iloilo River.

Twisted housing programs
The urban poor group also has slammed the housing program of the current administration, as not hitting the real squatters’ problem.

“Although, there has been a slight redirection of the government's resettlement program from off-city to in-city in some cases, the government still misses the very reason why urban poor prefer to live at the heart of the cities, even at danger and considered inhabitable areas like near dumpsite and riverbanks,” Arellano said.

“Urban poor lack the jobs and decent income to make them avail of houses in most residential areas in the cities. The few urban poor who are minimum-wage earners cannot even make ends meet to avail their family of the basic needs,” she added.

Under the existing housing program of the government, considering the widespread unemployment, urban poor won’t be able to pay for the monthly amortization even if such resettlement will be built inside the cities where livelihood opportunities are relatively present, according to Kadamay.

“The government needs to increase the wage of the workers and create jobs to permanently address the issue of squatting in urban centers,” Arellano said.

Twisted development projects
Meanwhile, Kadamay-North Triangle has rejected government’s offer to relocate the residents to Caloocan City.

Jocy Lopez, chair of Kadamay North Triangle, said, “We cannot comprehend the fact that the government would take away our homes for the interest of a few businessmen and the Ayalas.”

Lands in North and East Triangle will be developed by the national government to give way to Quezon City-Central Business District (QCCBD), which the residents say will never benefit the 24,000 families who will be displaced by the project.

Lopez said, “Some 3,000 families have already lost their homes to give way to Trinoma (mall) in 1997, yet not a single family in North Triangle has seen any improvement in the lives ever since as a result of the project.”

Also, Kadamay-Panay has slammed the rehabilitation and development of the Iloilo River and Batiano River with Kadamay-Panay secretary general Marites Pacifico saying that “the local government of Iloilo City and Oton town harp on the marketing strategy of rehabilitating both Iloilo and Batiano rivers in order to justify the massive destruction of dwellings of poor families along the riverbanks and their source of livelihood.”

The group has accused officials of “paying lip service to environmental rehabilitation” by displacing the poor who are blamed for causing pollution and obstructing the natural flow of the rivers.”

Pacifico said, “While putting the blame on poor inhabitants, the government is silent on the issue of the lack of waste water treatment facilities of commercial and business establishments.”

Kadamay-Panay noted that promises of relocation and housing are usually delayed while impending demolition aggravates the situation of poor families. ###

Urban poor group calls on VMMC employees, patients to petition CGMA out of the hospital

2011-12-10T01:26:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 10 December 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair, 09393873766.

September 23 Movement, an alliance of urban poor residents of Sitio San Roque in the North Triangle area in Quezon City has called on the hospital employees and patients of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) to condemn the stay of Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (CGMA) at the said hospital.

Estrelieta Bagasbas, leader of the group, says the ex-president has no right to step on the ground of the VMMC after she signed in 2007 Executive Orders 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) and EO 620-A (Expanding the composition of the Urban Triangle Development Commission and clarifying its structure and functions).

“These orders have sped up the demolition of homes of some 24,000 urban poor families, including transfer if not liquidation and face-off of government offices and hospitals including the VMMC,” according to Bagasabas.

“The employees of VMMC whose jobs Arroyo have been put into peril, as those executive orders still remain with effectivity, should treat the former president as an outcast in the hospital. The employees and VMMC patients and their families have every right to petition for the immediate removal of the CGMA from the hospital’s patient list,” Bagasbas said.

Meanwhile, the residents of Sitio San Roque in the North Triangle, and residents along BIR and NIA Road in the East Triangle, all under threat of eviction from their communities has planned a regular protest action at the gate of the VMMC, after the ex-president was transferred to the hospital yesterday.

Promise to make CGMA's every day at VMMC miserable
According to Jocy Lopez, chair of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) North Triangle chapter said, ‘as we have promised, we will make every day of Mrs Arroyo at the VMMC as miserable as ours.”

“She is the mastermind of a massive demolition that would take away homes of some 24,000 urban poor families in our communities. Her executive orders also gave way to an anomalous joint-venture contract between the National Housing Authority and Ayala Land Inc.(ALI), where San Roque land in North Triangle is allegedly priced at an amount almost half of its actual price,” she adds.

“Unless Aquino repeal Arroyo’s EO 620 and 620-A , investigate and make the former president accountable for the anomalous joint-venture contract between the NHA and the ALI, as well as for other anomalous contracts entered by the Arroyo administration using public funds, the residents of North and East Triangle will never be silent,” the leader added.

Kadamay, together with other sectoral groups nationwide, condemn the special treatment to the former executive head and demand that she be put in an ordinary prison cell while cases filed against her are being heard in trial court. ###

[As the world celebrates Human Rights Day today] Urban poor group slams Aquino administration’s poor human rights record

2011-12-10T01:21:00.000+08:00

RELEASE l 10 December 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano. Kadamay national secretary-general (09213927457)

An urban poor alliance called September 23 Movement said the Aquino administration has so far not treated them as humans. This as the world celebrates International Day of Human Rights today.

September 23 Movement is a community alliance from Sitio San Roque in North Triangle, composed of neighborhood organizations that have faced continuous threats of demolition since September 23, 2010, the infamous day of the 'Battle of EDSA' when residents clashed with NHA-hired demolition team and the police causing a 7-hour stand-off in EDSA.

Estrelieta Bagasbas, September 23 Movement chair said, 'No other presidents has attempted to violently demolish our homes except for Aquino, only four months after he assumed his office. And the threat of demolition continues until today even as the Christmas season is fast approaching."

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), an allied group of September 23 Movement, has recorded three urban poor leaders from Metro Manila who were killed as they defended their homes from demolition teams. Fires, which were believed by people to have been set intentionally to force them out of their places become instant means to expedite its demolition rampage of urban poor communities, the group said. as more than half of those affected by fires were prohibited from returning to their homes. Fire victims victims included, there have been not less than 10,000 families that have suffered from involuntary demolition of homes this year under the Aquino administration, according to Kadamay.

Most hostile human conditions in the relocation sites
However, this number would not include the families who have volunteered to demolish their own homes, and were deceived by the National Housing Authority to take relocation packages in off-city relocation sites. These relocatees, according to Kadamay, have suffered from among the most hostile human conditions in the government relocation sites in Rizal, Bulacan and Laguna.

"We have recorded various cases of human degradation to happen in the relocation sites from drug addictions, selling parts of their body, people losing their own sanity, breaking up of marriages, to kids who stopped from going to school, among others. These cases affect tens of thousands of urban poor families in the relocation sites as the government as intensifies its relocation program for the urban poor sine the Estrada administration. The relocatees are generally stripped of their right to decent livelihood programs, and access to jobs, forcing them to go back to the community where they lived in the urban centers," Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general said.

Criminalizing the urban poor
Kadamay has recorded a special case of returning demolition victims from the North Triangle area in QC. "Of the almost 6,000 families that have relocated from North Triangle to Montalban relocation sites, almost half have come back to Sitio San Roque. Other relocatees are returning to their old communities, at the same rate. As the Aquino government boasts of its massive relocation program for the half a million urban poor center in Metro Manila alone (at 556,000 families according to DILG), the gross human right violations are sugarcoated and kept concealed even as the relocatees go back to their old communities in the urban centers," Arellano explained.

"Immediately as they return to the cities, the government criminalizes them as professional squatters and enforces the police and SWAT to drive them away. The recent demolition of homes along the BIR road in Quezon City that has ended up violently is an effort of the QC LGU to drive away residents who have already received relocation package from the government," Arellano added.

Public-Private Partnership
Meanwhile, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a national network against forced eviction and demolition of urban poor communities has blamed on the Aquino government's penchants for infrastructure and 'development projects' under its Public-Private Partnership program. "These projects have deliberately taken away from urban poor settlers the small space that they occupied in the cities," according to Carlito Badion, the network's convenor. "The government has used 'development' as an excuse to relocate the urban poor settler's in a massive scale never been recorder in the Philippine history. On a national scope, millions of families will be driven from their spaces in the city as the government endorses an urban development plan that considers the urban poor as a big hindrance to development."

According to Bagasbas, who has lived in San Roque for almost three decades, "Aquino has treated us as garbage, unmindful of how our families will live as the government attempts to demolish our homes. If I had the chance, I would demolish Aquino's home too to have him a taste of how it is to live in the street or in the relocation site. We have been fighting for almost two years now, defending our homes from threat of demolition, and trying to restore a human existence that the government has taken away from us."

"He couldn't even increase the wage of the workers, nor create jobs so the urban poor could eat decently, he still has the penchant for demolishing our homes. He is so naive of our condition, as if he is not human," Bagasbas ended. ###

Demolition data in Metro Manila (Source: DILG)
Number of affected families-556, 000
Number of housing units available-32, 762
Number of units needed-523,238
Number of units the government plans to add until 2016-322,000
Number of units needed after 2016-201,238

Infrastructure and commercial projects in Metro Manila that have led or may lead to displacement of urban poor families (Source: Kadamay-NCR)
Quezon City Central Business District
Aqueduct Improvement Project (Quezon City)
NorthBay District Project ( Navotas )
National Government Center (Quezon City)
Laguna Lake Dike
Privatization of New Bilibid Prison (Muntinlupa City)
Privatization of Port area (Manila)
Mandaluyong City Welfareville Project
C-5 North Extension Project

Residente ng North Triangle, nanawagan kay Aquino ng pagbasura sa EO 620-A, imbestigasyon sa maanomalyang bentahan ng lupa sa Sitio San Roque sa panahon ni Arroyo [Kasabay ng paglipat kay CGMA sa VMMC at ng posibleng demolisyon ng kabahayan]

2011-12-09T01:18:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 09 December 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair, 09393873766.

Sa pangunguna ng September 23 Movement at Kadamay North Triangle, naglunsad ngayong umaga ang mga residente ng Sitio San Roque ng isang Kapehang Bayan upang diumano ay matiyak ang paglahok ng mga residente sa kanilang barikadang bayan laban sa posibleng demolisyon ng kabahayn ngayong umaga, at sa isasagawa nilang kilos-protesta sa paglipat kay Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (CGMA) patungo sa kalapit lang na Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Ayon kay Estrelieta Bagasbas, tagapangulo ng September 23 Movement, lokal na alyansa ng mga residente sa Sitio San Roque, hindi nila hahayaan na mailipat si CGMA sa VMMC nang walang kilos-protesta. Nanawagan sila kay Pangulong Aquino na hindi dapat sa ospital bagkus ay sa isang ordinaryong kulungan ilagak ang dating pangulo.

Nauna nang naglunsad ang grupo ng maralitang lungsod ng kaparehas na pagkilos sa gate ng VMMC noong Lunes. Nanawagan din ang grupo ng kagyat na pagbasura sa kautusang pinirmahan ni Arroyo noong siya ay presidente pa, ang EO 620 at 620-A na nagtiyak ng mabilis na pagpapatupad ng Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD). Gayundin nanawagan sila para agarang imbetigasyon sa maanomalyang pagpepresyo ng lupa ng Sitio San Roque sa kontratang pinasok ng National Housing Authority sa Ayala. Sa nabanggit na kontrata, P20,000 kada metro kwadrado lang ang naging halaga ng lupa mula sa aktwal na P40,000 halaga ng lupa.

“Hindi presyong komersyal ang naging pagpepresyo sa lupain sa North Triangle, at lumalabas pa na mas mura pa ang halaga nito kesa sa mga residential area sa paligid ng San Roque kagaya ng sa West Triangle kung saan nakatira ang pamilya ng pangulo. Naganap ito sa panahong ng panunugkulan ni Gng Arroyo at hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi napapanagot ang mga nasa likod ng maanomalya bentahan,” ayon kay Bagasbas.

“Mastermind si Arroyo ng malawakang demolisyon na bibiktima sa hindi bababa sa 24,000 pamilyang mula sa North at East Triangle, at magtatanggal sa libu-libong kawani at empleyado ng mga pampublikong opisina at mga ospital,” dagdag ni Bagasbas.

“Ito ang naging batayan ng marahas na demolisyon sa Sitio San Roque noong Setyembre 2010 kung saan nagkasagupa ang mga residente ang demolisyon tim at kapulisan sa EDSA, kabilang na rin ang nabigong demolisyon sa BIR Road nitong Nob 28,” dagdag pa ng lider.

Partners in crime
Ayon naman sa Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), kung hindi ipag-uutos ni Aquino na mailipat si Arroyo sa isang ordinaryong kulungan at ipapawalang bisa ang maanomalyang EO 620 at 620-A, lalabas na magkasabwat lang ang dalawa sa pagkandili sa interes ng World Bank at ni Ayala. Kayat diumano hindi nito magawang ipakulong si Aquino ay dahil pa sa takot na sapitin din niya ang kalbaryong dinaranas ngayon ni Gng. Arroyo. Mga ‘partners in crime’ diumano silang maituturing.

Ani Gloria Arellano, pambansang pangkalahatang kalihim ng Kadamay, “ang galit ng mamamayan sa dating pangulo ay unti-unti na ring tinatapatan ng galit kay Aquino ng mamamayan lalo na ang mula sa hanay ng maralitang lungsod”

“Mula sa pagiging tagapamandila ng malalaking dayuhan at lokal na negosyo na nagpapalayas sa mga maralita sa kanilang mga komunidad, pagpapatupad ng hungkag na CCT na nagsisilbing tanging pamuksa sa kahirapan ng gubyerno, hanggang sa pagkandili sa mga neoliberal na patakaran gaya ng labor-export policy sa halip na maglikha ng trabaho sa sariling bayan: ito ay ilan lamang sa mga kasalanan ni Arroyo at ni Aquino sa mamamayan at dapat nila itong panagutan,” dagdag ni Arellano.

Tila mas mabangis si Aquino
Ayon din kay Bagasbas, bagamat si Arroyo ang mastermind ng demolisyon ng kabahayan sa kanilang komunidad, hindi maikakaila ng kasulukuyang administrasyon na ito ang nagpatupad ng marahas ng demolisyon nong Setymbre 23, 2010, apat na buwan lamang matapos mahalal si Aquino bilang pangulo ng bansa. Para sa mga residente ng Sitio San Roque, dapat magsama sa kulungan si Aquino at Arroyo at managot sa malalang paglabag nila sa karapatan ng mga maralita.

Noong Disyembre 2 ay nakatanggap ng 7-day notice ang mga residente ng Sitio San Roque para lisanin nila ang kanilang komunidad. Ngunit matagal nang nakahanda ang barikadang bayan ng mga maralita upang biguin ang nakaambang demolisyon sa mga komunidad na tatamaan ng proyekto. Kasabay ng paglipat ni Arroyo sa VMMC, inaasahan din ng mga residente ang posibleng pagdating ng demolition team ngayong araw. ###

[As CGMA is transferred to VMMC while threat of demolition of homes continues] North Triangle residents call on Aquino to junk Arroyo’s EO 620, to probe on anomalous pricing of San Roque land during her term as president

2011-12-09T01:15:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 09 December 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
For interview, please contact Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair, 09393873766.

An urban poor group called September 23 Movement facing threat of demolition of their homes calls on President Aquino to investigate the anomalous joint-venture contract between the National Housing Authority and Ayala Land Inc.(ALI), where San Roque land in North Triangle is allegedly priced at an amount almost half of its actual price.

According to Estrelieta Bagasbas, this happens during the Arroyo administration, together with other anomalous contracts entered by the previous government, and it is only one of the many reasons why the ex-president does not the deserve to be at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) while cases files against her are being heard in the trail court.

Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to be transferred to the VMMC, a hospital a stone-throw-away from Sitio San Roque. Residents plan to stage a protest action as the ex-president arrives to the said hospital, together with other sectoral organizations.

In 2007, Arroyo passed Executive Orders 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) and EO 620-A (Expanding the composition of the Urban Triangle Development Commission and clarifying its structure and functions). “These orders have ensured the demolition of homes of some 24,000 urban poor families, including transfer if not liquidation and face-off of government offices and hospitals including the VMMC,” according to Bagasabas.

The group has been calling for a repeal of the said orders, citing the right of residents who have been residing the community for decades, and posting question on who will benefit from the said business district.

Partners in crime
Meanwhile, a national urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap has dubbed Mrs Arroyo and President Aquino as ‘partners in crime.’ “No doubt Aquino will not push for the incarceration of the ex-president for he fears the same fate would fall into him when he is out of power. They are both in connivance with the big foreign and local businessmen who rob the urban poor of their space in the cities,” said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general.

“Unless Aquino repeal Arroyo’s EO 620 and 620-A, investigate the anomalous joint-venture contract between the NHA and the ALI, and finally bring Arroyo into where she really belongs, the residents of North and East Triangle will never be silent,” said Bagasbas.

Last December 2, select San Roque residents classified as owner of illegal structures have received 7-day notices of eviction from the office of the NHA. Today, as Arroyo is to be transferred to VMMC, the residents are also on guard against possible demolition of their homes. At the same time, they will join this morning the protest action at the gate of the hospital to be led by Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (BAYAN) against the hospital arrest of the ex-president.###

[Kasabay ng nakaambang demolisyon ng mga kabahayan bukas ng umaga] Residente ng North Triangle, magkikilos-protesta sa pagdating ni Arroyo sa Veterans

2011-12-08T01:11:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (08 December 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
For interview, please contact Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen at 09213927457.

Sa pangunguna ng September 23 Movement at Kadamay North Triangle, maglulunsad bukas ng umaga ang mga residente ng North Triangle ng isang Kapehang Bayan upang diumano ay matiyak ang paglahok ng mga residente sa kanilang barikadang bayan laban sa demolisyon, at sa isasagawa nilang kilos-protesta sa paglipat kay Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo patungo sa kalapit lang na Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Ayon kay Estrelieta Bagasbas, tagapangulo ng September 23 Movement, lokal na alyansa ng mga residente sa Sitio San Roque, hindi nila hayayaan lang na mailipat si CGMA sa VMMC ng walang kilos-protesta. Nauna nang naglunsad ang grupo ng maralitang lungsod ng isang pagkilos sa gate ng VMMC noong Lunes. Ayon pa kay Bagasbas, dapat sa isang kulungan panagutan ng dating pangulo ang kanyang mga kasalanan sa taong-bayan kabilang na sa mga maralita sa Sitio San Roque.

“Mastermind si Arroyo ng malawakang demolisyon na bibiktima sa hindi bababa sa 24,000 pamilyang mula sa North at East Triangle, at magtatanggal sa libu-libong kawani at empleyado ng mga pampublikong opisina at mga ospital. Noong 2007, nilikha ni Arroyo ang EO 620 at 620-A na nagtiyak ng pagpapatupad ng Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD),” ani Bagasbas.

“Ito ang naging batayan ng marahas na demolisyon sa Sitio San Roque noong Setyembre 2010 kung saan nagkasagupa ang mga residente ang demolisyon tim at kapulisan sa EDSA, kabilang na rin ang nabigong demolisyon sa BIR Road nitong Nob 28,” dagdag ni Bagasbas.

Walang pinag-iba si Aquino
Ayon naman sa Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), sapagkat wala naman itong ipinagkaiba sa dating pangulo, natatakot si Noynoy na sapitin din niya ang kalbaryong dinaranas ni Arroyo. Kung kaya’t nasasapatan na lang siya sa hospital arrest bilang pagpapanagot sa dating pangulo.

“Ang galit ng mamamayan sa dating pangulo ay unti-unti na ring tinatapatan ng galit kay Aquino ng mamamayan lalo na ang hanay ng maralitang lungsod,” ani kay Gloria Arellano, pambansang pangkalahatang kalihim ng Kadamay.

“Mula sa pagiging tagapamandila ng malalaking dayuhan at lokal na negosyo na nagpapalayas sa mga maralita mula sa kanilang mga komunidad, pagpapatupad ng hungkag na CCT na nagsisilbing tanging poverty-alleviation program ng gubyerno, hanggang sa pagkandili sa mga neoliberal na patakaran gaya ng labor-export policy sa halip na maglikha ng trabaho sa sariling bayan: ito ay ilan lamang sa mga kasalanan ni Arroyo at ni Aquino sa mamamayan at dapat nilang panagutan,” dagdag ni Arellano.

Ayon kay Bagasbas, bagamat si Arroyo ang mastermind ng demolisyon ng kabahayan sa kanilang komunidad, hindi maikakaila ng kasulukuyang administrasyon na ito ang nagpatupad ng marahas ng demolisyon nong Setymbre 23, 2010, apat na buwan lamang matapos mahalal si Aquino bilang pangulo ng bansa. Para sa mga residente, dapat magsama sa kulungan si Aquino at Arroyo at managot sa malalang paglabag nila sa karapatan ng mga maralita.

Noong Disyembre 2 ay nakatanggap ng 7-day notice ang mga residente ng Sitio San Roque para lisanin nila ang kanilang komunidad. Ngunit matagal nang nakahanda ang barikadang bayan ng mga maralita upang biguin ang nakaambang demolisyon sa mga komunidad na tatamaan ng proyekto. Kasabay ng paglipat ni Arroyo sa VMMC, inaasahan din ng mga residente ang pagdating ng demolition team bukas ng umaga. ###

'Aquino fears urban upheaval to escalate'--Kadamay

2011-12-08T01:09:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (08 DEC 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

MANILA, Philippines—After the brutal arrest of some student leaders, and the dispersal of the campers since yesterday, urban poor center Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) continues to call on every urban poor in the nation’s capital to support the students-led Mendiola camp out against crisis and poverty inspired by the international 'Occupy' movement against corporate greed.

“The brutal dispersal only means the Aquino adminstration’s fear that a similar camp-out could spark an urban upheaval that has dethroned leaders in other countries abroad. The global financial crisis has long taken its toll among the toiling masses of the world, inevitably leading to a deep disgust to the current system that is dominated by the corporate capitalists,” Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general says.

“Such fear is not baseless as the Aquino administration cannot deny its puppetry to the foreign and local capitalists, acting as instruments to maintain the status quo. It has no to right to use force to pacify the upheaval of its citizens,” Arellano explains.

According to Kadamay, “yesterday’s brutal dispersal of the students and other campers only shows the fascist hands of the Aquino administration.”

“After Karapatan declares that the Aquino administration is no different from the previous administration based on the number of human right violations committed against its people as impunity never halts, there is no reason for the campers to leave their posts,” says Arellano.

She adds that while the chronic poverty persists to afflict some 30 million urban poor nationwide, there will be no other way but for the millions of urban poor to join hands with other sectors of the society to bring down the system that oppresses them.

“It is a real solution to crisis and poverty, biased only for the poor and the majority,” Arellano says. “It aims to enlighten primarily the Filipino youth, so to bring back the prestige that they once own, as the driver of societal change in Philippine history. There will be no other reason for the toiling mass to reiterate its call for a genuine social change.”

Kadamay criticizes Aquino’s labor-export policy, antipoverty program as behind OFW’s death

2011-12-08T01:06:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (08 DEC 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

MANILA, Philippines—An urban poor group has criticized the Aquino administration’s faulty antipoverty campaign that fails to address the deeply entrenched poverty among the Filipinos and its neo-liberal labor-export policy that forces many to leave the country to seek employment abroad. Another Filipino is expected to be executed today in China for an alleged drug-related crime.

“An estimated 3,000 families leave the country everyday to seek employment abroad. As the Aquino administration promotes its labor-export policy, it cannot ensure the security of every Filipino abroad, and the future of the family that they left in the Philippines,” Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) national secretary-general Gloria Arellano says.

“It even has means to cover up the tragic fate of OFWs who become victims of other countries’ brutal criminal system, and surrender in saving the lives of a score others who are to be executed soon,” Arellano adds.

Kadamay says that the Aquino administration, and those who promotes labor-export policy and other neo-liberal policies, should be made accountable for every Filipinos that have died and will die in seeking for greener pasture abroad, as the government fails to answer the massive unemployment in the country.

Arellano adds that while the chronic poverty persists to afflict some millions of Filipinos nationwide, millions of Filipinos will continue to leave the country.

“The government must stop its faulty poverty alleviation program, that acts as palliative dole-outs, and sources of corruption for the bureaucrats. It must stop trading Filipinos overseas and denying its connivance with the imperialists in dwarfing our industries that results to massive unemployment in the country,” she ends. ###

'Distribution of Luisita land holds the future of millions of poor Filipinos'—urban poor group

2011-12-05T01:03:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (05 DEC 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—It may be a relief for the farmers of Hacienda Luisita who have endured so much to take back the lands that the Cojuangco family allegedly had corrupted from their generation.

But after the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously to expedite the distribution of Luisita land to the farmers, the future of millions of poor Filipino families, whose majority comes from landless peasant origin is shed with some light, according to an urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

As majority of the urban poor coming from different provinces migrated to cities in search for livelihood and jobs with the lack of opportunities in the countryside, Kadamay says, the urgent distribution of the Luisita land would give hope to every urban poor as it opens the door to distribution of other lands owned by the few landlord families who are ruling the country.

Kadamay refers to the highly disproportionate ownership of lands to the Filipinos as the root of the chronic crisis that has burdened generations of farmers and urban poor. “Every government has turned blind to feudalism as the root cause of poverty, and has turned down every opportunity for a genuine agrarian reform,” says Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general.

According to Kadamay, “feudalism has its roots deep into the economic and the socio-political life of every Filipino. It is maintained by the interest of the big local compradors and the imperialist to further exhaust the human and natural resources of the country.”

The decision of the Supreme Court to immediately distribute the land of Luisita to the farmers is no less historical that the Spanish or the American occupation, according to Arellano. “If the land distribution be implemented, it would start the end of the feudal system that has stolen the lives of the past and future Filipino generations,” she says.

“It would ultimately give back the power to the landless farmers who comprise 75% of the population, and may serve as an impetus for the revival of the rule of the oppressed majority,” Arellano adds.

For Kadamay, it is a genuine opportunity for the Aquino administration to fully implement the decision of the Supreme Court, and for Aquino to turn his back to his landlord past to be in service to the majority of his poor constituents.

“Many Filipinos will certainly be watching the unfolding of events surrounding Luisita,” Arellano ends. ###

Kadamay calls on the urban poor to join the youth-led Mendiola camp out vs poverty, crisis

2011-12-05T01:00:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (05 DEC 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has announced today its plan to join the Mendiola camp out against poverty and crisis. The said camp out will start tomorrow, December 6, to be led by the militant youth organizations.

“We are more than obliged to affirm our commitment of making this camp out successful as we call on our members to participate and spread the news about this local ‘Occupy Movement,” Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general says.

“The chronic poverty afflicting some 30 million urban poor nationwide does not seem to bother those who are in the authority. There will be no other way but for the millions of urban poor to join hands with other sectors of the society to bring down the system that oppresses them,” Arellano adds.

The First Quarter Storm that had shown the world the progressive minds of the Filipino youth and their collective action against imperialism will once again be witnessed in the Philippine history as they start the Mendiola camp out tomorrow, says Kadamay.

“The Filipino youth has defied and will defy the current system as they seek answer for the longstanding problem of poverty and the cyclical crisis that plagues the neo-colonial and neo-feudal Philippine society,” says Arellano.

“The Mendiola camp out must be differentiated from the Kilusang 99% led by some social democrats that has long been in connivance with the big corporations and landlord clans against the people. Their movement only aims to maintain the status quo merely calling for corporate responsibility,” she adds.

According to Kadamay, compared to Kilusang 99%, the Mendiola camp out aims as it is necessary to bring down the system that has oppressed millions of Filipinos and generations of farmers, urban poor and the rest of oppressed 99% of the population.

“It is a real solution to crisis and poverty, biased only for the poor and the majority,” Arellano ends. “It aims to enlighten primarily the Filipino youth, so to bring back the prestige that they once own, as the driver of societal change in the Philippines.”###

[After staging a protest vs CGMA's hospital arrest] Urban poor settlers around VMMC warn Aquino to suffer the same fate if demolition of homes continues

2011-12-05T00:56:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 05 DEC 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE FOR INTERVIEW: Jocy Lopez, Kadamay North Triangle chair (0909725918, 09282998089); Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--North Triangle residents whose lives have been miserable because of threat of demolition vow to make Congressman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's every day in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center as miserable as theirs. This morning they staged protest action at the North Ave gate of the VMMC against the hospital arrest of the former president. They brought a human cage supposedly for the ex-president.
They also gave a special warning to Aquino that he will suffer the same fate of Arroyo if he won't stop the demolition of homes in the urban poor communities around VMMC, and in other cities in the country to give way to 'development projects' under his Public-Private Partnership program.

"[Today's action] is our means of seeking reprisal for the thousands of lives that have become worse after [Arroyo] ordered the demolition of our homes, including the VMMC, five years ago," said Jocy Lopez, and community leader from Sitio San Roque.

"A hospital arrest is not enough to make her pay. Everyone in San Roque (in North Triangle) would be happy to see her in jail. She has robbed us not only of the right to adequate and decent housing, but also the right to a decent life," explained Lopez.

Residents consider CGMA as the ‘mastermind’ of a massive demolition that affects some 24,000 urban poor families in Quezon City after she signed in 2007 Executive Order (EO) 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) and EO 620-A (Expanding the composition of the Urban Triangle Development Commission and clarifying its structure and functions).

According to Lopez, chair of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) North Triangle, these executive orders have legitimized the land grabbing by the National Housing Authority of some 37 hectares property in Sitio San Roque occupied by not less than 11,000 families by 2007. A previous executive order from Malacanang in 2002, EO 106, has already promised land tenure to the residents of San Roque.

EO 620 &620-A
But the issue of land tenure and ownership of land was not resolved until the signing of EO 620 in May 2007 leading to the creation of Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD). With the issuance of E0 620, Arroyo then drew the line for informal settlers to fence them out of Sitio San Roque. Under the order, affected residents can avail of on-site land sharing and medium rise buildings (MRBs), in-city relocation, or relocation to nearby cities with fair compensation packages.

“Other than electoral sabotage and corruption, she has to be made accountable, too, for thousands of families who have suffered in the relocation sites in an inhuman condition. She must pay for the misery that we feel as we are bothered every now and then by threats of eviction from our community,” Lopez explained.
"While Arroyo now feels how it is to be against-all-odds, as we have experienced every time the government tried to demolish our homes, she must have regretted the day she signed those executive orders, and had a done-deal with the Ayalas and big businessmen."
According to Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano, “the urban poor won't feel justice being served unless CGMA is treated like an ordinary citizen facing a court trial and put into jail. We never forget the countless human right atrocities she had committed against the Filipino people. Ang VMMC ay para sa mga beterano, hindi para sa mga berdugo.”

Aquino may be worse than Arroyo
“But it seems Aquino has been worse than ‘ex-president’ on how he treats the urban poor. North Triangle residents, for example, have had the real taste of demolition as soon as Aquino assumed his office,” Arellano added.

Last September 23, 2010, four months after Aquino has sworn into office the nation has witnessed the 'most tragic aggression to urban poor settlers' known as the “Battle of EDSA” when NHA-hired demolition team, SWAT and the PNP joined hands to demolish the homes in Sitio San Roque. The confrontation had resulted to a seven-hour stand-off at EDSA with casualties on the side of the residents and the demolition squad.

Recent events surrounding the arrest of Arroyo must also give some lessons to the president, according to Kadamay. "If Aquino remains as endorser of the interest of big capitalists like the Ayala, and remain to have penchant of neoliberal policies at the expense of his constituents, as his recent actions seem to be, he would certainly suffer the same fate as his predecessor. The urban poor and the Filipino people will not let him escape,” Arellano ended. ###

[Kasabay ng protesta laban sa hospital arrest ng dating pangulo] Mga maralita sa paligid ng VMMC, nagbanta kay Aquino na sasapitin din ang dinaranas ni CGMA kapag natuloy ang demolisyon

2011-12-05T00:49:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (05 DEC 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE: Jocy Lopez, Kadamay North Triangle chair (09282998089, 09099725918)

Tutol ang mga maralita sa paligid ng Veterans Memorial Medical Center sa hospital arrest ng dating pangulo, at sa paglipat niya sa nasabing ospital. Ayon kay Jocy Lopez, lider ng Kadamay North Triangle, gagawin nilang miserable ang bawat araw ni Arroyo sa VMMC. Dagdag niya, dapat danasin din ni Arroyo ang miserableng buhay na kanilang dinaranas dahil sa kada-buwang banta ng demolisyon sa kanilang lugar sa Sitio San Roque, komunidad na katabi ng VMMC.

Kaninang umaga nagsasagawa ng kilos-protesta ang mga maralita sa paligid ng VMMC at nagdala sila ng isang kulungan na simbolo diumano ng kanilang pagnanais na ilagak sa kulungan si dating pangulo. Kasabay din nito, nagbabala ang mga raliyista kay Noynoy na hindi malayong lasapin din nito ang galit ng mamamayan lalo na ng maralita kapag natuloy ang kaliwa't-kanang demolisyon ipinapatupad ng kasalukuyang pamahalaan para bigyang daan ang mga diumano'y proyektong pangkaunlaran.

Ang pagkilos ding ito ayon sa grupo ni Lopez ay paraan nila ng paniningil sa dating pangulo na siya diumanong nagligalisa ng demolisyon sa kanilang kabahayan, kabilang na ang VMMC sa bisa ng Executive Order (EO) 620 at 620-A na nilikha ni Arroyo noong 2007.

Kinukunsidera ng mga residente ng Sitio San Roque si Arroyo bilang 'mastermind' ng malawakang demolisyon ng mga kabahayan ng aabot sa 24,000 maralitang pamilya sa North at East Triangle sa lungsod Quezon.

EO 620 at 620-A
Noong Mayo 2007, nilagdaan ni CGMA ang EO 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) at EO 620-A (Expanding the composition of the Urban Triangle Development Commission and clarifying its structure and functions). Ang mga ito ang magtitiyak na matiayo ang Quezon City Central Business District sa lugar na kinatitirikan ng kabahayan ng mga maralita, kasama na ang compound ng VMMC.

Ayon kay Lopez, pabor sa Ayala Land Inc. na siyang magdedebelop sa eryang saklaw ng QCCBD, tiniyak ng mga nabanggit na kautusan ni Arroyo ang pagpapatupad sa pangangamkam ng National Housing Authority sa 37 ekratyang lupain sa Sitio San Roque na noong 2007 tinitirhan ng hindi bababa sa 11,000 maralitang pamilya. Dahil din sa kautusang ito, naisawalang bisa ni Arroyo ang EO 106 na naunang nilikha noong 2002 at magtitiyak sana sa pamamahagi ng mga lupain sa mga maralita ng North Triangle.

“Dapat managot si Arroyo hindi lang sa mga kaso ng pandaraya sa eleksyon at korapsyon, kundi pati na rin sa libong maralitang nawalan ng bahay at nalipat sa relokasyon na ngayo’y dumaranas ng kalunus-lunos na buhay. Gayundin sa kalbaryong dinaranas namin sa tuwing may banta ng demolisyon sa aming mga komunidad,” banggit ni Lopez.

Petisyon para palayasin si Arroyo
Nanawagan din si Lopez sa mga pasyente sa VMMC na ipitisyon ang paglipat o pagpapaalis kay Arroyo sa nasabing ospital sa batayang ninais ng dating pagulo na ipasara ang nasabing ospital at mawalan ng serbisyo para sa mga beterano at mga kapamilya nila noong siya ang naunungkulan pa. Ayon pa kay Lopez, ang VMMC ay para sa mga beterano, hindi sa mga berdugo.

Ayon naman kay Gloria Arellano, pambansang pangkalahatang kalihim ng Kadamay, “hindi matatamasa ng mga maralita ang tunay hustisya hanggat hindi nakukulong si Gng Arroyo at tinatrato bilang isang ordinaryong Pilipino na nahaharap sa isang paglilitis sa korte.” Hindi umano nila makakalimutan ang mala-bagyong pananalasa ni Arroyo sa paninirahan, kabuhayan at karapatang-tao ng mga maralita at ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Mas masahol si Aquino
“Ngunit sa sunud-sunod na demolisyon kinakaharap ng maralita sa kasalukuyan, tila mas masahol pa sa Aquino kumpara sa dating pangulo sa pagtrato niya sa mga maralita,” ani Arellano. "Bagamat si Arroyo ang nasa likod ng mga kautusang nagpabilis ng demolisyon ng mga kabahayan sa North at East Triangle, si Aquino ang nagpatupad ng marahas na demolisyon ng mga kabahayan sa Sitio San Roque apat na buwan lamang pagkaluklok niya sa poder.”

"Dapat maging leksyon kay Noynoy ang nagaganap na pagpapakita ng galit sa mamamayan kay Arroyo. Kung magiging sunud-sunuran din si Aquino sa interes ng Ayala at iba pang dayuhan at lokal na negosyante, nakahanda rin kaming panagutin siya hanggang sa katapusan,” ani Arellano.###

[Citing the victims of Aquino's 'demolition rampage'] 'Government has not treated us as humans'--urban poor group

2011-12-03T00:48:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 03 DECEMBER 2011
SEPTEMBER 23 MOVEMENT l KADAMAY
REFERENCE: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

An urban poor alliance called September 23 Movement has referred the Aquino administration has so far not treated the urban poor as humans, and as as having no concept of human rights for the sector. This after the a right activist group Karapatan described Aquino as worse than Arroyo when it comes to human rights violations, while impunity prevails.

September 23 Movement is a community alliance from Sitio San Roque in North Triangle, composed of neighborhood organizations that have faced continuous threats of demolition since September 23, 2010, the infamous day of the 'Battle of EDSA' when residents clashed with NHA-hired demolition team and the police causing a 7-hour stand-off in EDSA.

Estrelieta Bagasbas, September 23 Movement chair said, 'No other presidents has attempted to violently demolish our homes except for Aquino, only four months after he assumed his office. And the threat continues until today even the Christmas season is fast approaching."

Most hostile human conditions in the relocation sites
Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), an allied group of September 23 Movement, and has recorded three of its leaders in Metro Manila while defending their homes from the demolition team, said the number posted by Karapatan at 6,108 families accounting to those affected by the recent 'demolition rampage' of the Aquino administration is too small if it would include the families who have volunteered to demolish their homes, and deceived by the National Housing Authority to take its relocation offers.

These relocatees, according to the urban poor group, have suffered from among the most hostile human conditions in the government relocation sites in Rizal, Bulacan and Laguna.

"We have recorded cases of drug addictions, people losing their sanity, selling parts of their body and breaking up of marriages, and kids who stopped from going to school, among others that happened to thousands of families in the relocation sites. The relocatees are stripped of their right to decent livelihood programs, and an access to jobs. It is the main reason why they go back to the community where they lived in the urban centers," Gloria Arellano, Kadamay secretary-general said.

Criminalizing the urban poor
"Of the almost 6,000 families that have relocated from North Triangle to Montalban relocation sites, almost half have come back to Sitio San Roque. Other relocatees are returning to their old communities, at the same rate. As the Aquino government boasts of its massive relocation program for the half a million urban poor center in Metro Manila alone, the gross human right violations are sugarcoated and kept concealed even as the relocatees go back to their old communities in the urban centers," Arellano explained.

"Immediately as they return to the cities, the government criminalizes them as professional squatters and enforces the police and SWAT to drive them away. The recent demolition of homes along the BIR road in Quezon City that has ended up violently is an effort of the QC LGU to drive away residents who have already received relocation package from the government," Arellano added.

Personal wish
According to Bagasbas, who has lived in San Roque for almost three decades, said: "Aquino has treated us as garbage, unmindful of how our families will live as the government demolishes our homes. If I had the chance, I would demolish Aquino's home too to have him a taste of how it is to live in the street or in the relocation site."

"He couldn't even increase the wage of the workers, nor create jobs so the urban poor could eat decently, he still has the penchant for demolishing our homes. He is so naive of our condition, as if he is not human," Bagasbas ended.###

Public apology, hiningi mula sa AFP Koneksyon sa military, posibleng hadlang sa pagtugis kay Palparan

2011-12-02T13:17:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 DECEMBER 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Militant Center of Urban Poor in the Philippines
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary general (09213927457 l 7485565)

QUEZON CITY--Binira ng militanteng grupong Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) ang maha-habang pananahimik ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ngayong hapon lang nagsalita hinggil sa pagtakas sa batas ng dati nitong heneral na si Jovito Palparan, Jr. simula ng nagtangka itong pumuslit patungong ibang bansa noong Martes.

Si Palparan, na tinaguriang 'berdugo' ng mga human rights group ay nagtatago sa batas matapos maisyuhan ng warrant of arrest mula sa Regional Trial Court sa Bulacan para sa kasong pagdukot sa dalawang estudyante ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

Nangangamba rin ang grupo ng mga maralita na ang koneksyon ni Palparan sa matataas na opisyales sa military ay hindi malayong maging hadlang sa pagtugis ng gubyerno sa 'berdugo.'

Ayon kay Gloria Arellano, pambansang panglahatang kalihim ng Kadamay, hindi maikakailang isang matinding kahihiyan para sa Armed Forces of the Philippines ang ginagawang pagtatago ni Palparan.

Public apology
Liban sa 'alert bulletin' na inilabas ng AFP para mabantayan ang posibleng paglabas sa bansa ng dating heneral, dapat din diumano magbigay ng isang 'public apology' ang AFP sa mamamayan, kahit na matagal ng nagretiro ang dating heneral.

"Kasabay ng pagdiriwang kahapon ng ika-76 na anibersaryo kahapon, ang AFP bilang isa sa pinakamatatagal nang institusyon sa bansa ay dapat humingi ng paumanhin sa taumbayan sa naging pagkupkop nito sa isang berdugong kagaya ni Palparan noong siya ay aktibo pa sa serbisyo," ayon kay Arellano.

"Dapat kondenahin ng AFP ang pagtatago ng dati nitong heneral, tulungan ang PNP at NBI na hanapin at i-turn-over siya sa korte para harapin ang mga kasong nakasampa laban sa kanya," dagdag ng lider.

Dungis sa integridad ng AFP
"Ang tangkang pagtakas at pagtatago ngayon ni Palparan, gayundin ang naging pananahimik ng AFP ay nangangahulugan lamang na guilty ang dating heneral sa kanyang mga kasalanan," ayon kay Arellano.

Dinungisan ni Palparan ang integridad ng AFP bilang protektor ng mamamayan, gayundin ng ating batas, banggit pa ng grupo.

Koneksyon sa AFP
Sabi pa ni Arellano, "Naniniwala kami na posibleng may mga koneksyon ang dating heneral sa matataas na opisyales ng militar, at maaring ito ang maging hadlang para mahatid si Palparan sa kustodiya ng korte, at makamit ang katarungan para sa mga naging biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang-tao."

Ayon pa kay Arellano, maaring gamitin niya ang mga koneksyong ito para tuluyang makalabas sa bansa ang dating heneral mula sa mga lugar na mga elemento lang ng AFP ang nagbabantay.

Bago pa ipag-utos ng korte ang pag-aresto kay Palparan, matagal na itong tinaguriang dead man walking, at napabalita ring nangunguna ito sa listahan ng mga tinukoy na kriminal ng Hukumang Bayan o People's Court ng Communist Party of the Philippines.

Urban militarization at mga kaso ng pamamaslang
Naniniwala rin ang Kadamay na marami pa sa hanay ng kasundaluhan ang umiidolo kay Palparan at kinikonsente ang mga extra-judicial killing upang diumano ay maapula ang lumalalang kaso ng insurhensiya sa bansa.

Ayon pa kay Arellano, hindi makakalimutan ng mga maralitang lungsod ang pananalasa na hinatid ni Palparan sa daan-daang maralitang komunidad na naging militarisado sa panahon ng kanyang 'reign of terror' sa ilalim ng administrasyong Arroyo.

Mula 2003, bilang paghahanda sa pambansang halalan ng 2004, nadokumento ng Kadamay ang presenya ng mga militar sa mga maralitang komunidad, lalo na sa mga lugar na may banta ng demolisyon, at iyong mga itinuturing na balwarte ng mga militanteng organisasyon sa kalunsuran. Hanggang ngayon ay nagpapatuloy pa rin dimano ang urban militarization sa bisa ng Oplan Bayanihan ng rehimeng Aquino ayon sa grupo.

Binanggit din ng Kadamay ang mga kaso ng extra-judicial killing na sinapit ng dalawa nitong lider mula sa Eastern Visayas at Cagayan Valley, kasama ng daan-daan pang mga aktibistang pinaslang at dinukot sa mga rehiyon kung saan nadeploy si Palparan. ###

['Nothing but jail for Mrs Arroyo'] Urban poor settlers around VMMC reject hospital arrest for CGMA, vow to stage protest upon her arrival to the hospital

2011-12-02T00:46:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 02 DEC 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
REFERENCE FOR INTERVIEW: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines--North Triangle residents whose lives have been miserable because of threat of demolition vow to make Mrs Arroyo's every day in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center as miserable as theirs. They plan to stage protest action as soon as the ambulance carrying the ex-president arrives to the hospital.

"It is our means of seeking reprisal for the thousands of lives that have become worse after she ordered the demolition of our homes, including the VMMC, five years ago," said Jocy Lopez, and community leader from Sitio San Roque.

"A hospital arrest is not enough to make her pay. Everyone in San Roque (in North Triangle) would be happy to see her in jail. She has robbed us not only of the right to adequate and decent housing, but also the right to a decent life," explains Lopez.

Residents consider RGMA as the ‘mastermind’ of a massive demolition that affects some 24,000 urban poor families in Quezon City after she signed in 2007 Executive Order (EO) 620 (Rationalizing and speeding up the development of the East and North Triangles, and the Veterans Memorial Area of Quezon City, as a well-planned, integrated and environmentally balanced mixed-use development model) and EO 620-A (Expanding the composition of the Urban Triangle Development Commission and clarifying its structure and functions).

According to Lopez, chair of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) North Triangle, these executive orders have legitimized the land grabbing by the National Housing Authority of some 37 hectares property in Sitio San Roque occupied by not less than 11,000 families by 2007. A previous executive order from Malacanang in 2002, EO 106, has already promised land tenure to the residents of San Roque.

EO 620 &620-A
But the issue of land tenure and ownership of land was not resolved until the signing of EO 620 in May 2007 leading to the creation of Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD). With the issuance of E0 620, Arroyo then drew the line for informal settlers to fence them out of Sitio San Roque. Under the order, affected residents can avail of on-site land sharing and medium rise buildings (MRBs), in-city relocation, or relocation to nearby cities with fair compensation packages.

“Other than electoral sabotage and corruption, she has to be made accountable, too, for thousands of families who have suffered in the relocation sites in an inhuman condition. She must pay for the misery that we feel as we are bothered every now and then by threats of eviction from our community,” Lopez explains.
"While Arroyo now feels how it is to be against-all-odds, as we have experienced every time the government tried to demolish our homes, she must have regretted the day she signed those executive orders, and had a done-deal with the Ayalas and big businessmen."
According to Kadamay national secretary-general Gloria Arellano, “the urban poor won't feel justice being served unless CGMA is treated like an ordinary citizen facing a court trial and put into jail. We never forget the countless human right atrocities she had committed against the Filipino people. Ang VMMC ay para sa mga beterano, hindi para sa mga berdugo.”

Aquino may be worse than Arroyo
“But it seems Aquino has been worse than ‘ex-president’ on how he treats the urban poor. North Triangle residents, for example, have had the real taste of demolition as soon as Aquino assumed his office,” Arellano adds.

Last September 23, 2010, four months after Aquino has sworn into office the nation has witnessed the 'most tragic aggression to urban poor settlers' known as the “Battle of EDSA” when NHA-hired demolition team, SWAT and the PNP joined hands to demolish the homes in Sitio San Roque. The confrontation has resulted to a seven-hour stand-off at EDSA with casualties on the side of the residents and the demolition squad.

Recent events surrounding the arrest of Arroyo must also give some lessons to the president, according to Kadamay. "If Aquino remains as endorser of the interest of big capitalists like the Ayala, and remain to have penchant of neoliberal policies at the expense of his constituents, as his recent actions seem to be, he would certainly suffer the same fate as his predecessor. The urban poor and the Filipino people will not let him escape,” Arellano ends. ###

Mga vendors sa Litex, pinipigilang magtinda sa kabila ng permit mula sa Cityhall

2011-12-01T00:44:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l Disyembre 1, 2011
Manininda Laban sa Ebiksyon at Pang-aabuso (MANLABAN)
For Reference and Interview: Amena Mustapha Lumundot, Manlaban-Litex (09184795410); Diamond Kalaw, Manlaban spokesperson (09495027349)

QUEZON CITY--Nagreklamo ang mga manininda sa panulukan ng Commowealth Ave at Litex (IBP) Rioad sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Quezon City sa pagpigil ng mga opisiyal ng Brgy Commonwealth na makapwesto ang kanilang mga paninida. Nagkaroon ng komosyon ngayong umaga ng pigilang makapwesto sa dati nilang pinagtitindahan ang hindi bababa sa 20 manininda ng isang nagpapanggap na abugado ng Brgy Commonwealth.

Ayon kay Amena Mustapha Lumundot, lokal na lider ng Manlaban o Manininda laban sa Ebiksyon at Pan-aabuso, nakakuha na sila ng permit mula sa Quezon Cityhall ngunit sinisingil pa rin sila ng mga otoridad mula sa Brgy Commonwealth.

Nanawagan sila sa kinauukulan na bigyan sila ng karapatan na magtinda lalo pa at nalalapit na ang Kapaskuhan. Ginagamit diumano silang gatasan ng mga nasa pamahalaan sa kabila ng malaking pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya para mabuhay, at hindi kalakihang kinikita sa pagbebenta.

[Sa Araw ni Bonifacio] Mga biktima ng demolisyon sa Metro Manila nanawagan kay Aquino ng pambansang tigil-demolisyon

2011-11-30T00:43:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 30 November 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

QUEZON CITY—Nagmartsa patungong Mendiola ngayong umaga ang grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon (AKD) sa pangunguna ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay sa lahat ng mga maralita na planong palayasin ng pamahalaan sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad sa Metro Manila. Nanawagan sila sa pangulo para ipatupad ang isang pambansang tigil-demolisyon.

Binubuo sila ng iba’t-ibang samahan ng maralita na may mga banta ng demolisyon dahil sa mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ng administrasyon Aquino sa ilalim ng programang Public-Private Partnership. Nanawagan ang grupo ng hustisya para mga biktima ng demolisyon sa boung bansa at hindi makataong pagtrato ng pamahalaan sa mga maralita.

“Nakakapanlumo ang kawalang-aksyon ng pambansang pamahalaan sa mga nagaganap na demolisyon ng mga kabahayan ng mga maralitang lungsod,” ayon kay Carlito Badion, convenor ng AKD. “Kami na nga ang naghihirap at walang makain, kami pa ang tinatanggalan ng tirahan ng gubryerno.”

Trabaho, hindi demolisyon sa Araw ni Bonifacio
Daan-daang maralita ang biktima ng kaliwa’t-kanang demolisyon patungo sa Mendiola dahil diumano sa mga makadayuhang programang pangkaunlaran ng administrasyong Aquino. Ang panawagan ng grupo: Kabuhayan, trabaho, dagdag-sahod, hindi pantawid gutom at demolisyon!

Sasanib ang grupo sa manggagawa na magsasagawa rin ng isang malaking pagkilos para sa makabuluhang dagdag-sahod at trabaho.Tinawag nilang Araw ng Anakpawis ang araw ng kapanganakan ng rebolusyonaryong si Gat Andres Bonifacio na isa ring manggagawa at maralita.

“Hindi na namin maaring palampasin pa ang ginagawang malalang pambubusabos ng administrasyong Aquino sa mga maralita. Sa Pilipinas, hindi tao ang trato ng pamahalaan sa mga maralita kundi mga hayop, at basura na itinatapon sa malalayong lugar para sa interes ng negosyo at dayuhan,” dagdag ni Badion.

Sabwatang Aquino-malalaking negosyante
“Ang kawalang aksyon ng Malacanang sa nagaganap na mga demolisyon ay nangangahulugan ng tahasang pakiipagsabwatan ni PNoy sa mga malalaking negosyante na tanging makikinabang sa mga proyeko ng pamahalaan. Kung tunay siyang nagsisilbi sa mamamayan, kaagad niyang ipahinto ang lahat ng mga nakaambang demolisyon ng mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Kailangang matigil ang nagaganap na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga maralita,” ani Badion.

Suporta mula sa simbahan
Nakakuha naman ng suporta ang mga maralita mula sa iba’t-ibang grupo ng simbahan. Sa nagaganap na Church People-Urban Poor Solidarity Conference sa Adamson University, nanawagan din sa Pangulo ang mga obispo para ipatigil ang mga demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad.

Ani Fr. Charly Ricafort, MI, tagapangulo ng Task Force for Urban Conscientization (TFUC-AMRSP), hindi dapat palampasin ni Pangulo Aquino ang mga nagaganap na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga maralita. Ani Ricafort, sa halip na mga negosyante, dapat maralita at ang nanganagilangan ang binibigyang pabor ng pangulo. Magsisindi rin ng mga kandila ang mga taong-simbahan sa kahabaan ng Taft Ave kasabay ng mga nagkakampo sa labas ng NHA, upang diumano magbigay kaliwanagan sa pangulo. ###

[On Bonifacio Day] Urban poor march against P39B CCT, Aquino's inaction to solve widespread poverty

2011-11-30T00:39:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (30 November 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457, 427-4315)

QUEZON CITY—Urban poor group Kadamay has taken into the streets its call to junk the Conditional Cash Transfer of the Aquino administration. They march to Mendiola today against Aquino's defective poverty alleviation program, with its P39 billion fund for next year approved yesterday by the Congress on a record pace.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general contests Sen. Franklin Drilon’s comment that the 2012 budget which was passed by the Congress the earliest in recent in history is ‘truly biased for the poor.’

She asks, “How will it be biased for the poor when most of the programs and projects of the Aquino administration is more of dole-out that only encourages more political patronage than services, including the P39 billion CCT program and even the P12 billion appropriation for the Philhealth program?”

“We doubt that the impact of the 2012 budget will trickle down into the millions of Filipinos that have become poorer during the Aquino administration,” Arellano adds.

According to Arellano, the plight of the poor will become as hard as ever as long as the government won’t address the root of the chronic and widespread poverty, no matter how big or early the national budget will be passed by the congress. “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the CCT remains palliative, and an instrument to pacify the fury and grievances of the poor,” she says.

Bills that are truly biased for the poor
Kadamay slams the early passage of the 2012 budget despite the clamor among the students against budget cut on State Universities and Colleges, and other sectors who say that the budget favors debt-servicing, military and dole-out programs rather than the provision of more vital social services for the poor and marginalized.

Referring to the passage of 2012 budget, “we haven’t seen it among our congressmen the same eagerness and sincerity in passing the bills that are truly biased for the poor including the House Bill 375 and Senate Bill 1981 that would increase the wage of the poor Filipino workers, and HB 5110 or the Regular Employment Bill to address the problem of job security and abusive policies on contractual workers,” Arellano says.

“Even at the height of oil price hikes, they did not even bother to hear the bill that will repeal the Oil Deregulation Law. These bills could have brought tremendous and long-lasting relief to the poor,” the leader says.

“And we don’t expect the representatives in the Lower House whose majority come from families of landlords will ever pass the HB 3039 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill that would address the widespread landlessness of peasants in the countryside, the primary driver of urban migration and urban poverty,” Arellano adds.

After 2012, “we believe the poor will get poorer, more students won’t be able to go to school because of lack of schools and classrooms, more will die of curable diseases because there won’t be enough hospitals and medical facilities for the ill and sick Filipinos,” Arellano says.

Bleak future remains for the poor
“As the government seems to provide nothing but a bleak future for millions of poor Filipinos, the toiling masses find it necessary to take their calls into the streets. Thousands of urban poor will march this afternoon against CCT, demolition of our homes and the bias of the government towards the few and the rich,” Arellano ends.

As the country commemorates the birth of the country’s great revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio today, thousands of peasants, poor and workers will march on the streets to Mendiola demanding for a meaning wage increase, livelihood, jobs and lands. They call November 30 as the Day of the Toiling Masses. Similar protests are held in major cities nationwide.###

[After the Congress has ratified the P1.83T 2012 budget] Urban poor group to take into the streets its call to junk P39B CCT program

2011-11-29T00:37:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (29 November 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national sec-gen (09213927457, 427-4315)

QUEZON CITY—An urban poor group will take into the streets tomorrow its call to junk the P39 billion-worth CCT fund of the Aquino administration, this after the Congress has ratified this afternoon.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general contests Sen. Franklin Drilon’s comment that the 2012 budget which was passed by the Congress the earliest in recent in history as ‘truly biased for the poor.’

She asks, “How will it be biased for the poor when most of the programs and projects of the Aquino administration is more of dole-out that only encourages more political patronage than services, including the P39 billion-worth CCT program and even the P12 billion appropriation for the Philhealth program?”

“We doubt that the impact of the 2012 budget will trickle down into the millions of Filipinos that have become poorer during the Aquino administration,” Arellano adds.

According to Arellano, the plight of the poor will become as hard as ever as long as the government won’t address the root of the chronic and widespread poverty, no matter how big or early the national budget will be passed by the congress. “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the CCT remains palliative, and an instrument to pacify the fury and grievances of the poor,” she says.

Bills that are truly biased for the poor
Kadamay slams the early passage of the 2012 budget despite the clamor among the students against budget cut on State Universities and Colleges, and other sectors who say that the budget favors debt-servicing, military and dole-out programs rather than the provision of more vital social services for the poor and marginalized.

Referring to the passage of 2012 budget, “we haven’t seen it among our congressmen the same eagerness and sincerity in passing the bills that are truly biased for the poor including the House Bill 375 and Senate Bill 1981 that would increase the wage of the poor Filipino workers, and HB 5110 or the Regular Employment Bill to address the problem of job security and abusive policies on contractual workers,” Arellano says.

“Even at the height of oil price hikes, they did not even bother to hear the bill that will repeal the Oil Deregulation Law. These bills could have brought tremendous and long-lasting relief to the poor,” the leader says.

“And we don’t expect the representatives in the Lower House whose majority come from families of landlords will ever pass the HB 3039 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill that would address the widespread landlessness of peasants in the countryside, the primary driver of urban migration and urban poverty,” Arellano adds.

After 2012, “we believe the poor will get poorer, more students won’t be able to go to school because of lack of schools and classrooms, more will die of curable diseases because there won’t be enough hospitals and medical facilities for the ill and sick Filipinos,” Arellano says.

Bleak future remains for the poor
“As the government seems to provide nothing but a bleak future for millions of poor Filipinos, the toiling masses find it necessary to take their calls into the streets. Thousands of urban poor will march tomorrow against CCT, demolition of our homes and the bias of the government towards the few and the rich,” Arellano ends.

Tomorrow, as the country commemorates the birth of the country’s great revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, thousands of peasants, poor and workers will march on the streets to Mendiola demanding for a meaning wage increase, livelihood, jobs and lands. They call November 30 as the Day of the Toiling Masses. ###

[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

2011-11-29T00:35:00.000+08:00

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.###

[Trabaho, dagdag-sahod, hindi demolisyon!] Mga biktima ng demolisyon sa Metro Manila, magmamartsa bukas patungong Mendiola, mananawagan ng pambansang tigil-demolisyon

2011-11-29T00:33:00.001+08:00

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

QUEZON CITY—Nanawagan ang grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon (AKD) sa pangunguna ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap o Kadamay sa lahat ng mga maralita na planong palayasin ng pamahalaan sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad sa Metro Manila para sumama sa martsa bukas ng umaga patungong Mendiola. Mananawagan sila sa pangulo ng isang pambansang tigil-demolisyon.

Magmumula ang kanilang martsa sa sa labas ng National Housing Authority kung saan kasalukuyang nagkakampu ang ilang grupo ng maralita. Binubuo sila ng iba’t-ibang samahan ng maralita na may mga banta ng demolisyon dahil sa mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ng administrasyon Aquino sa ilalim ng programang Public-Private Partnership.

Ngayong hapon, magsisindi ng kandila ang mga maralita bilang pagkondena sa marahas na pagbuwag ng kapulisan sa mga barikada kahapon sa Sitio Looban, Brgy Kaligayan at sa BIR road, Brgy Central, QC. Nanawagan ang grupo ng hustisya para mga biktima ng demolisyon sa boung bansa at hindi makataong pagtrato ng pamahalaan sa mga maralita.

“Nakakapanlumo ang kawalang-aksyon ng pambansang pamahalaan sa mga nagaganap na demolisyon ng mga kabahayan ng mga maralitang lungsod,” ayon kay Carlito Badion, convenor ng AKD. “Kami na nga ang naghihirap at walang makain, kami pa ang tinatanggalan ng tirahan ng gubryerno.”

Trabaho, hindi demolisyon sa Araw ni Bonifacio
Bukas ay inaasahang magmartsa ang daan-daang maralitang biktima ng kaliwa’t-kanang demolisyon patungo sa Mendiola bilang pagkondena sa mga maling programa ng administrasyon Aquino para sa maralita. Ang panawagan ng grupo: Kabuhayan, trabaho, dagdag-sahod, hindi pantawid gutom at demolisyon!

Sasanib ang grupo sa manggagawa na magsasagawa rin ng isang malaking pagkilos para sa makabuluhang dagdag-sahod at trabaho.Tinawag nilang Araw ng Anakpawis ang araw ng kapanganakan ng rebolusyonaryong si Gat Andres Bonifacio na isa ring manggagawa at maralita.

“Hindi na namin maaring palampasin pa ang ginagawang malalang pambubusabos ng administrasyong Aquino sa mga maralita. Sa Pilipinas, hindi tao ang trato ng pamahalaan sa mga maralita kundi mga hayop, at basura na itinatapon sa malalayong lugar para sa interes ng negosyo at dayuhan,” dagdag ni Badion.

Sabwatang Aquino-malalaking negosyante
“Ang kawalang aksyon ng Malacanang sa nagaganap na mga demolisyon ay nangangahulugan ng tahasang pakiipagsabwatan ni PNoy sa mga malalaking negosyante na tanging makikinabang sa mga proyeko ng pamahalaan. Kung tunay siyang nagsisilbi sa mamamayan, kaagad niyang ipahinto ang lahat ng mga nakaambang demolisyon ng mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Kailangang matigil ang nagaganap na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga maralita,” ani Badion.

Suporta mula sa simbahan
Nakakuha naman ng suporta ang mga maralita mula sa iba’t-ibang grupo ng simbahan. Sa nagaganap na Church People-Urban Poor Solidarity Conference sa Adamson University, nanawagan din sa Pangulo ang mga obispo para ipatigil ang mga demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad.

Ani Fr. Charly Ricafort, MI, tagapangulo ng Task Force for Urban Conscientization (TFUC-AMRSP), hindi dapat palampasin ni Pangulo Aquino ang mga nagaganap na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga maralita. Ani Ricafort, sa halip na mga negosyante, dapat maralita at ang nanganagilangan ang binibigyang pabor ng pangulo. Magsisindi rin ng mga kandila ang mga taong-simbahan sa kahabaan ng Taft Ave kasabay ng mga nagkakampo sa labas ng NHA, upang diumano magbigay kaliwanagan sa pangulo. ###

[After the violent demolition of urban poor communities today] ‘Urban poor, hopeless under Aquino’--Kadamay

2011-11-28T00:28:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (28 November 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (09213927457)

Quezon City, Philippines—“The government won’t stop until it buries the urban poor into the grave.” This is the statement of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, as the local government unit of Quezon City hired demolition teams to hunt dowm ‘illegal settlers’ in an urban poor community along BIR road.

Some of the residents who fight head-to-head against demolition teams this morning are considered ‘illegal’ settlers by the National Housing Authority. These ‘illegal’ settlers, according to local authorities, have already received relocation package in Montalba, but have returned to their old communities. Technically, they are those considered by the government as ‘professional squatters.’

Many of these professional squatters have gone back to their old community mainly because of economic reasons. “There is no job in the relocation. If they work in the cities, the measly wage will not suffice the transportation cost plus their family’s basic needs. They come back to the cities because they found out they cannot let their families die from hunger in a place that the government promised to be a better community,” Gloria Arellano explains.

“If the government persists on hunting down the so called ‘professional squatters’ and demolishing their homes, the government must be ready for a deadly match as seen along BIR road this morning. For the ‘professional squatters,’ it would be a battle for survival,” Arellano warns.

“It is such a shame that the government, behind its dole-out program for the poor, remains to be as the primary aggressor of human rights of the urban poor,” Arellano says. “That it acts as protector of the interest of foreign and local businessmen whose establishments displace the urban poor from their land in the cities, the plight of the urban poor remains hopeless under the Aquino administration.”

According to Kadamay, unless the government revises the orientation of its housing program for the poor, from being profit-driven into a service oriented one, relocatees will continue to come back to their old communities in the cities. Arellano adds that instead of hunting down ‘professional squatters’ and treating them as criminals, the government must address the reason why they come back to the cities.###

[Sa kabila ng mararahas na demolisyon sa BIR rd at Brgy Kaligayahan ngayong umaga] Alyansa kontra demolisyon, nanawagan kay Aquino ng pambansang tigil-demolisyon

2011-11-28T00:23:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 28 November 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

QUEZON CITY—Nanawagan ang grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon ng isang pambansang tigil-demolisyon habang patuloy ang nagaganap mainit na engkwentro ng mga maralita at demolition team sa QC ngayong umaga. Marami ang nasaktan at inaresto sa dalawang magkahiwalay na demolisyon ng kabahayan sa Sitio Looban, Brgy Kaligayahan at sa BIR road, Brgy Central.

“Nakakpanlumo ang kawalang-aksyon ng pambansang pamahalaan sa mga nagaganap na demolisyon ng mga kabahayan ng mga maralitang lungsod,” ayon kay Carlito Badion, convenor ng AKD. “Kami na nga ang naghihirap at walang makain, kami pa ang tinatanggalan ng tirahan ng gubryerno.”

“Hindi na namin maaring palampasin pa ang ginagawang malalang paglabag sa karapatan ng mga maralita. Sa Pilipinas, hindi tao ang trato ng pamahalaan sa mga maralita kundi mga hayop, at basura na itinatapon sa malalayong lugar para sa interes ng negosyo at dayuhan,” dagdag ni Badion.

“Ang kawalang aksyon ng Malacanang sa nagaganap na mga demolisyon ay nangangahulugan ng pakiipagsabwatan ni PNoy sa mga lumalabag sa karapatang-tao ng maralita. Kung tunay siyang nagsisilbi sa mamamayan, kaagad niyang ipahinto ang lahat ng mga nakaambang demolisyon ng mga komunidad sa buong bansa. Kailangang matigil ang nagaganagp na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ng mga maralita.”

Nakakuha naman ng simpatya ang mga maralita mula sa iba’t-ibang grupo ng simbahan. Sa nagaganap na Church People-Urban Poor Solidarity Conference sa Adamson University, nanawagan din sa Pangulo ang mga obispo para ipatigil ang mga demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad.

Ani, Fr. Charly Ricafort, MI, tagapangulo ng Task Force for Urban Conscientization (TFUC-AMRSP), "hindi dapat palampasin ng pangulo ang mga nagaganagp paglabag sa karapatan ng mga maralita." Ani Ricafort, sa halip na mga negosyante, dapat maralita at ang mga nanganagilangan ang binibigyang pabor ng pangulo. ###

Barikada ng mga residente sa Brgy. Kaligayahan, sinagasaan ng sasakyan [Maraming residente ang nasaktan at hinuli ng kapulisan]

2011-11-28T00:21:00.000+08:00

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE l 28 November 2011
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP-QC
For Interview: Sisel Cari, Kadamay QC chairperson (09228761807)

QUEZON CITY —Dalawang beses na tinangkang buwagin ng demolition team na inupahan ng Novaliches District Center sa pamumuno ni Tadeo Palma ang barikada ng mga maralita sa Sitio Looban, Brgy Kaligayahan, QC. Marami ang nasaktan at dinampot ng kapulisan. Kasalukuyang nagtawag ng reinforcement ang PNP upang buwagin ang barikada ng mamamayan sa ikatlong pagkakataon. Naka-hold sa Presinto 5 ng lungsod ang mga dinampot na mga lider at residente. Patuloy pa rin ang kiskisan ng mga residente at demolition team.

Naninidigan ang mga residente na labanan ang pagpapalayas na ginagawa sa kanila ng administrasyon ni Herbert Bautista. Planong itayo ang isang pabahay sa lugar na inuukupa ng higit 300 pamilyang maralita. Ngunit ayon sa mga residente, ang BistekVille II ay hindi naman magsisilbi para sa mga maralita.

Halos wala sa mga mapapalayas na residente mula sa Sitio Looban ang kwalipikido bilang benepisyaryo ng nasabing pabahay ng pamahalaang panglungsod. Ayon kay Virginia Restua, lider ng Sitio Looban Neighborhood Association-Kadamay, P2,400 ang buwanang bayarin at kailangang member ka ng SSS at Pag-Ibig. Hindi diumano talaga para sa mga maralita ang pabahay na ito.

Dapat itigil ni Bistek ang pagpapanggap nitong maka-mahirap sa mga programa nito gaya ng Bistek Ville at Socialized Housing Tax Ordinance, ani Sisel Cari, pangulo ng Kadamay QC. Ginagamit lang niya ang mga maralita para palusutin ang mga kontrata na pakikinabangan ng mga pribadong debeloper ng pabahay gaya ng Phinma at New San Jose Builders, samantalang animo’y basurang itinataboy ang mga maralita sa malalayong relokasyon.

Samantala, isang demolisyon din ng kabayahan ang nagaganap sa tabi ng BIR road sa East Triangle ng QC. Ayon sa mga residente, pinapalabas ng QC LGU na road widening ang nasa likod ng demolisyon, gayong malinaw na isang makadayuhang proyekyto na pagmamay-arian ng Ayala ang itatayo sa kanilang lugar. Sumuporta naman sa kanila upang itaboy ang demolition team ang mga maralita mula sa North Traingle at NIA road.

Nananawagan naman ang grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon ng pambansang tigil demolisyon. Diumano, napakasahol ang sinasapit ng mga maralita dahil sa kaliwa’t kanang demolisyon ng kanilang kabahayan. Doble pasakit ang ginagawa sa kanila ng pamahalaan sa kabila ng kawalang trabaho, maliit na sahod at nagtataasang halaga ng mga bilihin. Patuloy diumano ang pagtangkilik ng rehimeng Aquino sa interes ng mga dayuhan at lokal na negosyante.

Kasalukuyang nagaganap ang Church People-Urban Poor Solidarity Conference sa Adamson University at inaasahang magsalita rin ang ilang mga obispo at taong-simbahan hinggil sa kaliwa’t-kanang demolisyon, at ang panawagan ng mga maralita para sa isang pambansang tigi-demolisyon.###

[With two on-going violent demolition of homes in QC] ‘Aquino must stop its demolition rampage of urban poor communities’--Kadamay

2011-11-28T00:19:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (28 November 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP
Reference: Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general (09213927457)

Quezon City, Philippines—An urban poor group calls on the national government to stop its ‘demolition rampage of urban poor communities’ referring to gross human rights violation committed by the administration on its first year alone.

“There is no significant change on the government’s treatment of the urban poor, only that it gets worse during the Aquino administration,” said Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national secretary-general after two communities are facing demolition team from different parts of Quezon City.

Residents from Sitio Looban are reported to be in head-to-head with the dispersal team that the QC LGU sent to demolish the homes of urban poor settlers. Injuries and illegal arrests have been reported on the part of the residents. Residents were given until yesterday, Nov 27, by the Novaliches District Center administrator Taddy Palma to vacate their homes. The demolition today will affect not more than 12 families of the more than 300 families that are living at the planned site of Bistek Ville II, a housing program of the local government.

Meanwhile, residents along BIR road in the East Triangle of QC are trying to fend off demolition forces and police elements. Supports from nearby communities such San Roque in North Triangle and NIA community help resist demolition of homes.

A negotiation with the office of City Mayor on the road widening of BIR road has ended in a deadlock. Residents believe that the real issue behind the demolition of their homes is the implementation of QCCBD. BIR community like the rest of communities in the North and East Triangle has been razed by big fires recently. The latest to experience is the community along NIA. Instead of offering food, NHA have handed out notice to fire victims instructing them take the relocation program in Montalban.

Arellano cites Aquino’s penchant for businesses and infrastructure projects under his Public-Private Partnership Program to be behind the so called ‘demolition rampage of urban poor communities. “It has not happen so often in the past that two or three demolition of urban poor communities occur at the same time,” Arellano said citing today’s possible demolition in three separate communities in Quezon City. “It is an outright declaration of an all-out-war against urban poor settlers,” she added.

Entrenched into deep poverty due to massive unemployment and soaring prices of basic commodities, Arellano said “the urban poor have experienced the most traumatic human right condition under the Aquino regime. Tens of thousands have become homeless, if not relocated into fatal relocation sites, in a short span time during the Aquino administration.”

“The Aquino administration must stop boasting of its dole-out program for the poor just to show that it feels their suffering and agony, while it continues to implements massive demolition of urban poor communities that worsen the abject condition of the poor.”

“If it cares at all, it must refrain from acting as the antagonist, and declare an indefinite nationwide moratorium on demolition. He must investigate the killing and the countless human right violation committed against the urban poor nationwide related to its implementation of development programs,” Arellano adds.

An anti-demolition alliance also expressed its disgust of the Aquino regimes’ demolition rampage. “The urban poor have suffered long enough. Each time a house in an urban poor community is torn down, and a family becomes homeless, it seems nothing is wrong because it is the government who leads the misconduct. Aquino’s penchant for big businesses at the expense of the thousands of hapless urban poor is truly unbearable. It has to be stopped,” Badion ends. ###

[As government implements demolition of homes before Christmas season kicks in] Three urban poor communities in QC to face possible demolition of homes today

2011-11-28T00:16:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 28 November 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD convenor, Kadamay national vice chair (09393873736)

Quezon City, Philippines—Enough to prove that there is really no place for the urban poor in the country’s richest city, QC LGU has continued its rampage against its informal settlers as three slum areas are in threat of demolition today.

Two of these communities are to be wiped out to give way to Quezon City Central Business District. Sitio San Roque in North Triangle, with a population of not less than 7,000 families, and a smaller community along BIR road in the East Triangle are already dressed with streamers with calls against demolition. Physical barricades are also in place along Agham road and BIR road.

Residents in another urban poor community in the Novaliches area of the city are also on high alert today as the deadline for 12 families to vacate their homes has expired yesterday. They will be the first among the 300 families in Sitio Looban, Brgy Kaligayan who will be dislocated to give way to Bistek Ville II, a local housing project of the QC LGU, supposedly for the urban poor.

Barricade at Agham Road and EDSA
Hundreds of residents in Sitio San Roque, considered ‘illegal settlers’ by the National Housing Authority (NHA), have received notices of eviction last Nov 15. These residents, who some have stayed decades in San Roque as renters, have built new structures after the owners of their homes relocated to Montalban.

September 23 Movement, a local alliance in San Roque, has vowed to fend demolition team starting today. According to Estrelieta ‘Ka Inday’ Bagasbas, a community leader, “thousands of demolition squad and the police are needed to overcome the strong defense prepared by the residents to protect their community.”

This morning, North Triangle residents hold a noise barrage at Agham road and EDSA while waiting for the demolition team. The fierce resistance of the residents to leave the community mainly due to to the ‘unacceptable and deadly’ relocation program offered by the government have delayed the schedule of the construction of the said business district.

Barricade along BIR road
Meanwhile, residents along BIR road also fear for a possible demolition of homes this morning as negotiation with the office of City Mayor on the road widening of BIR road ended in a deadlock. Residents believe that the real issue behind the demolition of their homes is the implementation of QCCBD.

BIR community like the rest of communities in the North and East Triangle was razed by big fires recently. The latest to experience such is the community along NIA. And instead of offering food, NHA have handed out notice to fire victims instructing them take the relocation in Montalban. The residents in BIR road are on-standby against demolition as early as 8am.

Barricade along Quirino hi-way
Most of the residents of Sitio Looban, on the other side of the city, are not qualified to avail of the said housing program for they are not SSS nor Pag-Ibig member. “Even if we get qualified, how can we afford the P2,400 monthly amortization for a single unit?,” asks Virginia Restuan, Kadamay leader in Sitio Looban.

A mass is held at the community barricade as the residents wait for the demolition team. According to their leader, the residents of Sitio Looban have long been preparing for the worst to come, even if the Christmas season is up coming. “The QC demolition men do not care whether its Christmas time or not, with or without court order, so we have prepared our 3-layer of human barricade to fend them off our community,” Restua says.

“We call on Herbert Bautista to stop pretending to be pro-poor. Stop using the urban poor to sugarcoat his anti-people and pro-capitalist programs, which include the Socialized Housing Tax ordinance. We believe QC is the worst place for an urban poor family to live in, despite the fact that it is one of the riches cities in the country,” says Sisel Cari, chairperson of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Quezon City Chapter.

Carlito Badion, convenor of Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon says the agony of the urban poor only worsens as the government continues its demolition rampage of urban poor communities in favor of the big businesses. “We challenge the national government to stop the demolition of homes of urban poor communities nationwide, and that justice be served for those who become victims of the greed of the few,” Badion says.

“The urban poor have suffered long enough. Each time a house in an urban poor community is torn down, and a familiy becomes homeless, it seems nothing is wrong because it is the government who leads the misconduct. Aquino’s penchant for big businesses at the expense of the thousands of hapless urban poor is truly unbearable. It has to be stopped,” Badion ends. ###

[Bistek Ville II, for QC urban poor?] Urban poor community to be demolished for QC’s socialized housing project

2011-11-28T00:14:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE (28 November 2011)
KALIPUNAN NG DAMAYANG MAHIHIRAP-QC
Reference: Sisel Cari, Kadamay QC chairperson (09228761807)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Residents of Sitio Looban, Brgy Kaligayahan ask the local government of QC: “If the urban poor are to benefit from city’s socialized housing program, then why do we have to leave our homes to give way to housing project that only a few can avail of?”

Families from Sitio Looban were given until yesterday, Nov 27, by the Novaliches District Center administrator Taddy Palma to vacate their homes. The expected demolition today will affect not more than 12 families of the more than 300 families that are living at the planned site of Bistek Ville II, a housing program of the local government.

Most of the affected residents are not qualified to avail of the said housing program for they are not SSS nor Pag-Ibig member. “Even if we get qualified, how can we afford the P2,400 monthly amortization for a single unit?,” asks Virginia Restua, Kadamay leader in Sitio Looban.

In a press conference, the residents lambast the anti-poor character of QC’s socialized housing programs. Virginia Restua, leader of Sitio Looban Neigborhood Associaton-Kadamay, says, “It is clear to us who will benefit from the demolition of our homes, only the claimants of our land and developers like Phinma who are in connivance with the local government to evict us from our community.”

A mass is held at the community barricade as the residents wait for the demolition team. According to their leader, the residents of Sitio Looban have long been preparing for the worst to come, even if the Christmas season is up coming. “The QC demolition men do not care whether its Christmas time or not, with or without court order, so we have prepared our 3-layer of human barricade to fend them off our community,” Restua says.

“We call on Herbert Bautista to stop pretending to be pro-poor. Stop using the urban poor to sugarcoat his anti-people and pro-capitalist programs, which include the Socialized Housing Tax ordinance. We believe QC is the worst place for an urban poor family to live in, despite the fact that it is one of the riches cities in the country,” says Sisel Cari, chairperson of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay)-Quezon City Chapter.

With two other communities in QC facing threat of demolition today, in Sitio San Roque along Agham road and BIR village along BIR road, Carlito Badion, convenor of Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon says the agony of the urban poor only worsens as the government continues its demolition rampage of urban poor communities in favor of the big businesses. “We challenge the national government to stop the demolition of homes of urban poor communities nationwide, and that justice be served for those who become victims of the greed of the few,” Badion ends. “The urban poor have suffered long enough.”###

[Sa napipintong demolisyon ng mga iligal na istruktura sa North Triangle sa Lunes] Maralita at kawaning apektado ng proyektong QCCBD, nanindigang muling lalaban, planong kasuhan si CGMA

2011-11-27T00:11:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 27 November 2011
CONTRACBD
Concerned Organizations against Transfer, Lay-off, Privatization and Demolition for the QCCBD
For Interview: Estrelieta ‘Ka Inday’ Bagasbas, September 23 Movement chairperson (09464774781)

QUEZON CITY—“Libong kapulisan ang kailangang itapat nila sa barikadang bayan ng Sitio San Roque.”

Nakabihis katipunero, nanindigang muling lalaban ang mga maralita ng North at East Triangle kasama ang mga kawani ng pamahalaang apektado ng proyektong Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD). Nagsagawa ang mga lider ng isang press conference sa Agham Road para ipahayag ang kanilang paghahanda sa napipintong demolisyon ng mga kabahayan sa Sitio San Roque, North Triangle sa darating na Lunes.

Nakatanggap ng Notice of Eviction mula sa National Housing Authority (NHA) noong Nob 15 ang ilan daang pamilyang nakatira Sitio San Roque. Ayon sa ‘Pahayag’ na natanggap nila, sila diumano ay mga iligal na nakatira sa lugar at dapat magbaklas ng bahay sa lalong madaling panahon.

Nanindigan naman ang mga lider-maralita sa pangunguna ni Estrelieta ‘Ka Inday’ Bagasbas na tagapangulo ng September 23 Movement, isang lokal na alyansa sa North Triangle na kanilang bibiguin ang anumang porma ng paggiba na isasagawa ng NHA at kapulisan sa darating na Lunes at sa mga darating na araw. Bagamat wala namang tinukoy sa ‘Pahayag’ mula sa NHA na araw bilang deadline sa pagbabaklas, nakatanggap diumano sila ng report na hindi na sila paabutin ng Disyembre sa kanilang lugar.

Nakatanggap din diumano sila ng report na maglalabas ng maraming warrant of arrest ang kapulisan para sa daan-daang pamilyang kinakategorya nilang iligal squatter dahil sa pagtatayo ng mga istuktura sa San Roque.

Ayon kay Ka Inday, “marami kaming mga kasapi na matagal ng nangungupahan sa Sitio San Roque, ngunit nawalan ng mga bahay nang nag-relocate ang mga may-ari nila patungong Montalban.” Dagdag pa niya, nakahanda ang mga kanilang samahan na tapatan ang anumang plano ng pamahalaan na palayasin kundi man ay arestuhin ang mga kasapi at lider nilang tinukoy na iligal na naninirahan ayon sa NHA.”

Kaso laban kay Arroyo
Hindi rin pinalampas ng grupo ang kasalanang ginawa ng dating pangulo na ngayon ay nakakulong at nahahrap sa kasong electoral sabotage at plunder. Ayon kay Bagasbas, si Arroyo ang naglikha sa Executive Order 620 at 620-A, ang batas na nagpawalang bisa sa EO 106 na dapat sana ay magtitikay ng pamamahagi ng mga lupa sa mga San Roque.

“Libu-libo maralita ang naghirap sa relokasyon Montalban, may mga namatay na, at maraming bata ang nahinto sa pag-aaral. Napakarami ng nagugutom sa relokasyon. Ito ang mga dahilan kung bakit halos kalahati sa mga nag-relocate ay nagsisibalikan sa San Roque. Hindi namin palulusutin si Arroyo sa ginawa niyang kasalanan sa libu-libong maralita. Ikokonsulta namin sa aming abugado ang paghahanda ng kasong sibil laban kay Arroyo para matiyak na siya ay mabulok sa kulungan,” ani Bagasbas. Nanawagan din kami sa Department of Justice na pag-aralan ang pagsasampa ng naturang kaso.

Banta kay Aquino
Nagbanta rin ang grupo na mangyayari rin kay Aquino ang sinasapit na kalbaryo ngayon ni Arroyo kapag ipinagpatuloy pa nito ang demolisyon sa kanilang komunidad. “Kailangang kaagad na ipawalang-bisa ni Aquino ang EO 620 at 620-A para patunayan niya na hindi siya kawangis ni Arroyo. Hindi pa namin nakakalimutan ang marahas na demolisyon sa San Roque noong Setyembre 2010, ilang buwan lamang matapos maluklok sa poder si Aquino,” dagdag ni Bagasbas.

Matatandaan ding kaagad na binawi ni Aquino, na noon ay nasa ibang bansa, ang utos ng NHA at QC LGU na ipagiba ang mga kabahayan noong nakaraang taon. Nananawagan din ang grupo kay Aquino ang pagpapatigil ng demolisyon ng kabahayan ng mga maralita sa buong bansa.

Pagkakaisa ng San Roque, NIA Rd at BIR Rd
Ang mga residente ng NIA Rd at BIR Rd, mga komunidad na sakop din ng QCCBD ay nakikiisa sa laban ng San Roque. Ayon sa mga residente, sila rin ay nakakaranas ng iba't ibang porma ng demolisyon at pagpapalayas dahil sa proyektong QCCBD.

Nitong nakaraang linggo lang ay nasunog ang komunidad ng NIA Rd, na naapektuhan sa 500 pamilya. Ang BIR rin ay nakaranas ng sunog noong unang parte ng Nobyembre nitong taon.

"Ang sunog ay isa sa pinakamasahol na uri ng demolisyon, di man direktang responsibilad ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaan sa mismong sanhi ng sunog, ang mga ganitong sakuna ay ginagamit nila upang paalisin kami sa aming mga tirahan," sabi ni Mario Sumagang, miyembro ng Bayan Muna NIA chapter.

Isang araw pagkatapos ng sunog sa may NIA Road, nagpunta ang mga ahente ng NHA at namigay ng sulat na nagbabawal sa mga nasunugan na tayuan muli ang kanilang mga lote sabay ang pagalok ng mga lupa para sa relokasyon.

Tuloy ang laban
Bilang simbolo ng kanilang pagtutol, pinunit ng mga lider ang mga ‘pahayag’ na parang mga sedula at nagdeklara ng all-out-war laban sa demolisyon na pinaplano ng rehimeng Aquino sa nasabing press conference.

“Malaon ng nakakasa ang aming depensa laban sa demolisyon. Sa araw ng Lunes at sa darating pang mga araw, tiyak na bibiguin at muli naming papalayasin ang mga demolition team, mga pulis at SWAT na kasama nila. Libong kapulisan ang kailangan nilang itapat sa aming depensa,” ayon kay Jocy Lopez, tagapangulo ng Kadamay North Triangle.

Ang mga maralitang lunsod ay nangakong maninindigan tulad ng pakikipaglaban nila Andres Bonificio, na ang kaarawan ay igugunita sa Miyerkules, at mga katipunero laban sa mga kolonyistang Espanyol hangga't di nakakamit ang kanilang panawagan para sa disenteng paninirahan, trabaho na may sapat na sahod at serbisyong panlipunan.###

Maralitang giniba ang tahanan, hinikayat tumira sa labas ng National Housing Authority [Bilang simbolo diumano ng pagkainutil ng ahensiya]

2011-11-25T00:07:00.000+08:00

RELEASE l 25 November 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
Reference: Carlito Badion, AKD lead convenor (09393873736)

QUEZON CITY—Nanawagan ang grupong Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon sa lahat ng maralita sa buong bansa na giniba ng pamahalaan ang tahanan at ang mga may nakaambang demolisyn upang matayo ng mga barung-barong sa labas ng opisina ng National Housing Authority.

Ito diumano ay simbolo sa pagkainutil ng nasabing ahensiya na tugunan ang pangangailangan sa pabahay ng milyun-milyong maralita, at ang pakikipagsabwatan pa nito sa mga negosyante ng murang pabahay para diumano.

Kasabay nito ang panawagan ng grupo para higit pang patatagin ng maralita ang depensa ng kanilang tahanan, lalo na ang mga maralita sa North Triangle na may nakaamba na namang demolisyon sa Nob 28. Pinintahan ng mga kasaping lumahok sa kanilang kilos-protesta ngayong araw ang logo ng NHA at sinulatan ng katagang ‘INUTIL.’

Ayon kay Carlito Badion, “nakakalungkot isipin na daan-libong maralita ang nangangamba sa iba’t-ibang dako ng bansa dahil sa nais silang palayasin ng pamahalaan para ilaan sa mga pribadong kompanya ang lupang kinatitirikan ng kanilang tahann at malapit sa kanilang kabuhayan.”

“Sa Metro Manila pa lamang, ang planong paglilikas sa 556,000 maralita patungo sa mga malalayong relokasyon ay makakategoryang isang all-out-war ng rehimen para gawing eksklusibo ang sentrong kapital sa mga negosyante at iilang may kayang mamamayan,” dagdag ni Badion.

Libu-libo rin ang pinapalayas sa mga sentrong lungsod sa bawat rehiyon ng bansa. Apektado sila ng pangangamkam ng mga debeloper at negosyante, maging ng mga proyekto ng dayuhan at lokal na kompanya na nakapakete sa programang Public-Private Partnership ng rehimen.

Ngayon ang ikalabing isang araw ng araw ng kampuhan ng maralita sa labas ng NHA sa Quezon City na nagsimula pa noong Nob 14. Layun ng kampuhan na ipatigil ni Aquino ang mga nagaganap at nakaambang demolisyon sa buong bansa. Nanawagan din ang grupo na ibasura ang Urban Development and Housing Act o UDHA, ang batas na nagliligalisa sa pagpapalayas sa mga maralita mula sa kanilang komunidad sa kabila ng mga malalaking paglabag sa kanilang
karapatang-tao.

Inaasahang maglunsad din sa mga darating na araw ng kaparehas na kampuhan ang mga maralita sa iba’t-ibang syudad at rehiyon sa buong bansa. Ang AKD-Davao ay sisimulan ang kanilang kampuhan sa labas ng opisina ng NHA sa darating na Nob 28. Susundan ito sa iba pang sentrong syudad at rehiyon sa buong bansa. ###

[ Sa harap ng banta ng demolisyon] Suporta para sa maralita ng North Triangle, dumagsa mula sa taong simbahan

2011-11-24T00:05:00.000+08:00

RELEASE l 24 November 2011
SEPTEMBER 23 MOVEMENT l KADAMAY NORTH TRIANGLE
Reference: Estrelieta ‘Ka Inday’ Bagasbas, September 23 Movement Chairperson (09464774781)

QUEZON CITY—Nagmartsa ngayong umaga (930am) sa EDSA ang mga taong simbahan patungo sa komunidad ng Sitio San Roque tangan ang mga krus na may nakasabit na panawagan laban sa demolisyon.

Ito diumano ay pagpapakita ng kanilang pakikiisa sa mga maralita ng North Triangle na nahaharap sa banta ng demolisyon sa darating na mga araw para bigyang daan ang proyektong Quezon City Central Business District. Sinalubong naman sila sa EDSA ng mga maralita at naglulunsad sila ng isang programa at solidarity lunch sa loob ng komunidad.

Ayon kay Fr. Charly Ricafort, M.I, tagapangulo ng Task Force for Urban Concscientization (TFUC-AMRSP), ang grupong nanguna sa nasabing aktibidad, nais nilang ipakita ang kanilang pakikiramay sa paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga maralitang lungsod dahil sa kaliwa’t-kanang demolisyon na isinasagawa ng pamahalaan ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino.

“Malinaw na maling direksyon ang tinatahak ng ating pamahalaan sa pagtalikod nito sa kapakanan ng mas nakakaraming maralita para sa interes ng negosyo at dayuhan,” ani Fr Ricafort.

Noong Nobyembre 15 ay nakatanggap ang mga residente ng San Roque ng notice of demolition at simula noong lunes ay nagkasa na sila ng barikadang-bayan.

Ayon kay Estrelieta Bagasbas, tagapangulo ng September 23 Movement, lubos silang nagagalak na kasama nila ang mga taga-suporta mula sa simbahan sa labang kanilang kinakaharap upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang paninirahan. Matatandaang sinapit ng mga residente ng San Roque ang marahas na demolisyon noong Setyembre 23, 2010, ilang buwan lamang matapos maluklok si Pangulong Aquino sa Malacanang.

“Ang suportang inaasahan namin mula sa ating pamahalaan ay nakita namin mula sa mga tagasuporta mula sa simbahan. Nakakalungkot isipin na daan libong maralita ang ngayon ay nangangamba kagaya namin sa iba’t-ibang dako ng bansa dahil sa mga proyektong pangkaunlaran ni Aquino,” dagdag ni Ka Inday.

Sa ipinakikitang suporta ng mga taong-simbahan sa barikadang-bayan ng mga maralita ng San Roque, ani Ka Inday, higit na nagiging makatwiran ang kanilang paglaban sa mga bulok na patakaran ng administrasyon ni Noynoy Aquino. Minsan na nilang tinawag ang pangulo na demolition king at persona non grata, at pinagbantaang huwag subukang tumuntong sa kanilang komunidad ng pangulo dahil sa hindi makatao nitong pagtrato sa mga maralita. "Hindi dapat umastang tagasunod ng mga negosyante at dayuhan si Noynoy, bagkus ay paglingkuran niya ang mga kagaya naming higit na naghihirap," homon ng maralita kay Aquino.

Samantala, inaasahang dadagsa pa ang suporta para sa mga maralita mula sa iba’t-ibang grupo ng simbahan sa darating na mga araw. Ilulunsad sa pangunguna ng TFUC at Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) sa darating na Nob 28-29 ang isang Church People-Urban Poor Solidarity Conference sa Adamson University na naglalayong pasiglahin pa ang pakikialam at pagsuporta ng mga taong simbahan sa mga isyu at laban ng sektor ng maralitang lungsod. ###

Hundreds of relocatees to storm NHA Montalban office, to slam P10-B new relocation program of the Aquino gov't [Hungry stomach, inhumane condition drive relocatees crazy, literally]

2011-11-22T23:55:00.001+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 NOVEMBER 2011
MONTALBAN RELOCATEES’ ALLIANCE
REFERENCES: Merci Merilles, MRA Spokesperson, 09467026574

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—We are humans, too.

This is the statement of hundreds of relocatees form the relocation sites in Montalban as they stage a protest outside the gate of the local office of the National Housing Authority. They bring hundreds of placards written with complaints on the situation in the relocation sites. They will force open the NHA gate if they will not be faced by the proper authorities.

With not less than 50,000 relocatees families, all victims of demolitions of homes from Metro Manila, Montalban relocation sites has become the seat of social unrest as relocatees find it hard to cope up with their new community. "We have been victim of the lies of the government who promised us of a more decent house and life in the relocation sites,” said Merci Merilles, spokesperson of Montalban Relocatees’ Alliance.

Hungry stomach and the inhumane living condition drive many of the relocatees crazy, literally, according to Merilles. Those who cannot adjust to their new social life either turned up crazy, as the popular call Mental-ban” refers too, or they leave the relocation sites and go back to their old communities.”

“Lack of livelihood programs and basic social services that the National Housing Authority promise them as they leave their old homes in Metro Manila disappoints many of the relocatees. “

Around 500 relocatees from different housing sites in Montalban join force in slamming the relocation program of the past and present administrations. “We can no longer live with the hunger, absence of basic services including livelihood and an infirmary that is operational only twice-a-week, Merilles adds, a relocatee in Montalban for 8 years. “The government doesn't see us as human.”

The national government has recently allotted P10 billion to finance the massive demolition and relocation of the bulk of urban poor communities in Metro Manila. The government housing agencies are planning to build new homes for the relocatees no different from the existing housing programs in Montalban, Rizal and Calaun, Laguna.

But the old relocatees demand “that before the Aquino administration build more relocations sites, the demands of old relocatees should be served first. The old housing unit must be rehabilitated as some as prone to roof-high flood as they experienced during Ondoy. The lack of livelihood and jobs for the relocatees that is the reason of the widespread hunger and poverty, and why they cannot pay the monthly amortization for their homes also must be immediately addressed.”

“We call on the national government to stop the relocation more urban poor families from Metro Manila to the Montalban relocation areas.

"We challenge President Aquino to investigate the relocation contract including the National Housing Authority and the New San Jose Builders, allegedly co-owned by Speaker Sonny Belmonte, which continued to build more housing units in the Montalban area amidst danger of big flood and earthquake, as studies say the floodplain sits on the Marikina Faultline," Merilles ends.###

Anti-demolition network prepares against possible dispersal today of urban poor camp out at NHA [Saying that Aquino is no different from Arroyo]

2011-11-22T23:52:00.000+08:00

PRESS RELEASE l 22 NOVEMBER 2011
ALYANSA KONTRA DEMOLISYON
REFERENCES: Carlito Badion, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon national convener, 09393873736

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—Members from various urban poor groups in Metro Manila is in full defense this morning of a possible dispersal led by the National Housing Authority and the local police.

Preparing against a possible dispersal at the gate of the National Housing Authority main office along Elliptical Road in Quezon City anytime today, and demolition of the structure they erected at the facade of the agency, Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon led by urban group Kadamay holds a program this morning at 7am in condemnation of the brutal response of the Aquino administration to their struggle.

"Since we started our camp-out at the NHA main office, no one from the said agency has even dared ask us of our intention. The possible dispersal of our camp out today is a sample of the brutality of the housing agency, and how it treats every urban poor in the Philippines as garbage, stripped of their right to a decent housing program. We condemn any possible attempt of NHA, and the local police to disperse our group," said Ka Inday Bagasbas, AKD spokesperson.

“Aquino is undeniably more brutal than Arroyo on how he treats the urban poor. The brutal demolition of homes in Sitio San Roque last year and similar cases of eviction of urban poor communities from their homes nationwide, as well as the possible dispersal today of our protest camp is enough to justify our claim that he is the ‘demolition king,” puppet to the big corporations and foreign capitalists,” said Ka Inday.

The camp-out has started on Nov 14 aiming to clinch a nationwide moratorium against demolition. Harassment to the campers by allegedly elements of military in civilian clothes has been frequent in the last few days, especially at night. The network received report of a planned dispersal of the campers by the NHA as they plan to demolish homes of residents of North Triangle, who are among the primary mainstays of the AKD camp out.

"The possible dispersal is part of the campaign of the Aquino administration against the urban poor. It is entirely connected with the NHA’s plan to implement massive demolition of homes in Sitio San Roque, who are already setting up their community barricade against a possible demolition tomorrow, Nov 23,” she added.

“We are calling on every urban poor who are affected by the Aquino administration’s demolition spree nationwide to support our fight against demolition. Occupy NHA offices in your localities, until a nationwide moratorium on demolition is clinched,” Bagasbas said. The group also aims for the passage of HB 5443 in Congress that will repeal the anti-urban poor Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), a law that legitimizes demolition.

The NHA occupation will attempt to make a big action on Nov 30, which the militants considered as Araw ng Anakpawis (Day of the Toiling Masses) as tribute to a tribute to the great revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, when thousands of urban poor, workers and other sectors are expected to march to Mendiola.###

Mga relocatees, sinugod ang lokal na tanggapan ng NHA sa Montalban

2011-11-22T00:04:00.000+08:00

BALITA l 22 NOBYEMBRE 2011
MONTALBAN RELOCATEES ALLIANCE-KADAMAY
REFERENCE: Merci Merilles, MRA spokesperson (09467026574)

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal--"Nakakabaliw ang napakahirap na kalagayan sa Mental-ban." Ito ang banggit ni Rodel Flores, tagapagsalita ng Montaban Relocatees Alliance, at isang lider ng mga relocatees sa Montalban.

Ngayong umaga, sinugod ng mga relocatees ang lokal na tanggapan ng National Housing Authority sa Rodriguez, Rizal upang singilin ana nasabing ahensya sa diuman'y pakikipagsabwatan nito sa mga pribadong debeloper ng palupa. Bitbit nila ang mga plakard na may panawagan para sa katiyakan ng paninirahan, at ang larawan ng isa sa mga lider na relocation na si Semio Bayugbog na pinaslag ngayong buwan dahil sa pagbangga nito sa mga programa ng New San Jose Builders at mga sindikato sa pabahay sa Rodriguez.

Ayon naman kay Merci Merilles, "ang gutom na sikmura, 2-araw lang na bukas na ospital, abot-bubong na baha at ang matataas na singilin sa kuryente, tubg at pabahay ay napasakit isipin lalo na at wala namang trabaho sa relokasyon."

"Ang kita mo kung sa Maynila ka magtatrabaho ay mauubos lamang sa pamasahe," dagdag ni Meriles na 8 taon nang nainirahan sa relokasyon."

Banggit naman ni Flores, "wala kaming sinisisi sa kasalukuyan naming kalagayan kundi ang gubyerno na nagtaboy sa amin sa relokasyon at nakipagsabwatan sa mga debeloper para pagkakitaan ang mga maralita."

Naglaan ang administrasyong Aquino ng P10B para sa relokasyon ng daang libong maralitang palalayasin mula sa kalunsuran. Bahagi ito ng kanyang Public-Private Partnership program na nagalalayong palayasin ang aabot sa 556,000 pamilyang maralita sa Metro Manila pa lamang upang itayo ang mga negosyo para sa mga dayuhan at malaking lokal na negosyante. Malaking bahagi ng pondo ay magsisilbing kapital ng mga debeloper ng lupa at murang pabahay

Ang panawagan ng mga relocatees, dapat ayusin ng pamahalaan ang serbisyo nito sa mga relocatees, bago ang paggawa ng mga bagong pabahay para sa biktima ng demolisyon.

"Dapat diumano, ikulong at parusahan ang mga negosyante sa pabahay na pinagkakakitaan ang mga maralita. Kung hahayaan lang ni Noynoy ang pagkakamal ng malalaking salapi ng mga debeloper mula sa pondo ng taumbayan, malinaw itong kaso ng korapsyon na kalauna'y papanagutan din ng pangulo," ayon kay Merilles.###