RELEASE l August 26, 2011
QUEZON CITY, Philipines—Agitated residents of Sitio San Roque yesterday threw mud at the sattelite station of the National Housing Authority in North Triangle. Today, they hold a noise barage and candlelighting along EDSA in preparation for a possible demolition of the community early tomorrow.
The local government of Quezon City has announced its plan to demolish the population-thick community of Sitio San Roque to give way to the establishment of a World Bank-proposed, Ayala-funded Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD), amidst protests of residents and government employees to be affected by the said project.
In a statement released to media on August 5, the city government is worried about the eruption of violence in its attempt to evict by August 31 some 2,000 'disqualified' families who can't avail of the government's relocation offer. NHA and policemen with SWAT agents faced tough resistance from the residents who barricaded San Roque and paralyzed EDSA in a failed demolition attempt in September last year.
According to Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, a national urban poor group, some 24,000 urban poor families from seven communities will be trasferred to government relocation sites in Montalban and Bulacan by the accomplishment of the project. “To this date, NHA has relocated not less than 5,000 families from Sitio San Roque but almost half of them have come back to the community. Lack of livelihood is their basic concern,” Bea Arellano says, national Secretary-General of Kadamay.
“In all, there are not less than 7,000 families who will face the demolition team for even the residents who are 'qualified' to receive the relocation offer won't let their houses be torn down without a fight,” Jocy Lopez said, president of KADAMAY North Triangle chapter. “And those who have relocated and come back to San Roque won't let their newly built homes be torn down by the demolition teams” she added.
The demolition announcement of the local government has solicited reactions from different urban poor groups in San Roque, the Moro group included.
Possible demolition right after Ramadan
“We ask City Mayor Herbert Bautista and President Aquino to respect Ramadan, as Muslim people all-over the world observe this holy tradition. Their announcement of a demolition by August 31 gives us not even a single day to prepare for the worst scenario,” said Bobby Dicatanongan, president of United Muslim Association of Bagong Pag-asa.
Ramadan will end on August 30, which the national government will likely proclaim as a national non-working holiday. The local government's announcement makes the Moro community in San Roque in a defensive mode, even as they observe fasting during this holy period, according to the Moro leader.
“On our part, we declare a total war against the impending demolition of our community, together with other Christian groups in San Roque,” he added. “It is our obligation to Allah to defend our holy mosque and the homes of brothers in faith.”
On high alert starting tomorrow
As land surveyors from the City Hall and the NHA became more visible in the past few days, residents expect demolition team to arrive by August 26 or 27.
Estrelieta Bagasbas, the leader of September 23 Movement has said, “we have designed every aspect of our barricades to thwart any attempt by NHA and the police to demolish our community. We are on high alert starting on August 27, even though it's a Saturday, as we learned from experience that demolition teams arrived even if its weekend or a holiday.”
Asked if they are fully ready to barricade EDSA as they did last year, Bagasbas said, “absolutely, if that's the only thing that could oblige PNoy to interfere and stop his demolition rampage of urban poor communities in favor of big businessmen like Ayala”
Inspiring action
“We feel it as our obligation to stand our ground as hundreds of other communities nationwide are to be demolished to give way to Aquino's “economic development projects.” They are very eager to see us succeed another demolition attempt,” Bagasbas added.
“At the same time, we expect public commuters to understand us for we don't have choice for this government has already turned deaf to our legitimate demands. Barricading EDSA will remain essential as thousands of urban poor remain as victims to the government's failure to address the housing problem in urban centers and its penchant for big businesses at the expense of its citizens losing homes and sources of livelihood,” she said.
“Urban poor setters who are faced by threats of eviction from their communities should unite. We'll make sure Aquino will regret it if his government continues in demolishing our homes,” the local leader warned.
Reference'
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