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
No comments:
Post a Comment