Thursday, October 25, 2007
MMDA demolishes more houses near QC esteros
MMDA demolishes 50 houses near QC creek
MMDA demolishes 50 creekside houses in QC
Friday, October 19, 2007
Group slams MMDA for violating moratorium on demolition
Urban Poor Associates
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Telefax: 4264118 Tel.: 4264119 / 4267615
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
http://jlagman17.blogspot.com
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Group slams MMDA for violating moratorium on demolition
19 October 2007. An eviction watchdog has scored the continuing demolition drive by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) despite a 1-month moratorium agreed upon at a recent hearing at the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
The Urban Poor Associates (UPA), a housing rights non-government organization, said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando violated his promise to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Rodolfo Biazon to stop demolitions as it only render poor families homeless.
“The MMDA should change its name to Metro Manila Demolition Abuses. For this year alone, it has displaced thousands of poor families more than a major disaster can do,” said Ted Añana, deputy coordinator of UPA.
“Aside from doing unlawful demolitions, the MMDA has perfected its propaganda of lies against urban poor just to justify its inhumane actions. In fact, the MMDA wanted to get rid of all informal settlers but it has never relocated a single family contrary to its press statements,” Añana said. “Imagine this, without all this so-called eyesores, more than half of the population of Metro Manila will be homeless,” Añana added.
According to UPA, the impact of forced evictions is almost always severe for the victims. This can include physical and mental trauma, homelessness, loss of wealth and assets in the form of dwellings and personal goods, loss of livelihood or employment, declining standards of health and education, and the destruction of community bonds.
Some residents living along Estero Tripa de Gallina in Pasay City were hurt yesterday as the MMDA dismantled the homes of more than 100 informal settlers.
Diana dela Torre, a 36-year old widow and mother of 3, tried to stop the demolition team. “Mamaya na ho kayo magsira, magliligpit lang kami ng gamit,” she pleaded.
The MMDA, however, went ahead. “Di kami pinapansin. Di nagpa-awat. Pinasok sa ilalim, parang mga gagamba sumampa sa itaas, nagsisira na,” dela Torre explained. “Masama ang loob ko, nagwawala ako, pero di sila nakikinig. Bumagsak ang kahoy, umiwas ako, pero sumagi sa anak ko kaya nasugatan.”
Dela Torre who work as scavenger said she is cleaning the sidewalk so that they will have a place to sleep. “Kahit walang bubong, may mahigaan lang. Yung mga gamit namin tinakpan ng plastic para di maulanan.”
She said they were surprised by the MMDA since there is supposedly a 1-month moratorium on demolition. “Na-shock na lang kami, biglang lumusob ang isang batalyon. Sana ay bigyan naman kami ng masisilungan. Kawawa yung mga bata, wala naman kaming ibang mapupuntahan. Masasayang ang pag-aaral ng mga bata.”
Under international human rights law, the practice of forced evictions is considered a gross violation of human rights, in particular the right to adequate housing. -30-
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Telefax: 4264118 Tel.: 4264119 / 4267615
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
http://jlagman17.blogspot.com
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Group slams MMDA for violating moratorium on demolition
19 October 2007. An eviction watchdog has scored the continuing demolition drive by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) despite a 1-month moratorium agreed upon at a recent hearing at the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
The Urban Poor Associates (UPA), a housing rights non-government organization, said MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando violated his promise to Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Rodolfo Biazon to stop demolitions as it only render poor families homeless.
“The MMDA should change its name to Metro Manila Demolition Abuses. For this year alone, it has displaced thousands of poor families more than a major disaster can do,” said Ted Añana, deputy coordinator of UPA.
“Aside from doing unlawful demolitions, the MMDA has perfected its propaganda of lies against urban poor just to justify its inhumane actions. In fact, the MMDA wanted to get rid of all informal settlers but it has never relocated a single family contrary to its press statements,” Añana said. “Imagine this, without all this so-called eyesores, more than half of the population of Metro Manila will be homeless,” Añana added.
According to UPA, the impact of forced evictions is almost always severe for the victims. This can include physical and mental trauma, homelessness, loss of wealth and assets in the form of dwellings and personal goods, loss of livelihood or employment, declining standards of health and education, and the destruction of community bonds.
Some residents living along Estero Tripa de Gallina in Pasay City were hurt yesterday as the MMDA dismantled the homes of more than 100 informal settlers.
Diana dela Torre, a 36-year old widow and mother of 3, tried to stop the demolition team. “Mamaya na ho kayo magsira, magliligpit lang kami ng gamit,” she pleaded.
The MMDA, however, went ahead. “Di kami pinapansin. Di nagpa-awat. Pinasok sa ilalim, parang mga gagamba sumampa sa itaas, nagsisira na,” dela Torre explained. “Masama ang loob ko, nagwawala ako, pero di sila nakikinig. Bumagsak ang kahoy, umiwas ako, pero sumagi sa anak ko kaya nasugatan.”
Dela Torre who work as scavenger said she is cleaning the sidewalk so that they will have a place to sleep. “Kahit walang bubong, may mahigaan lang. Yung mga gamit namin tinakpan ng plastic para di maulanan.”
She said they were surprised by the MMDA since there is supposedly a 1-month moratorium on demolition. “Na-shock na lang kami, biglang lumusob ang isang batalyon. Sana ay bigyan naman kami ng masisilungan. Kawawa yung mga bata, wala naman kaming ibang mapupuntahan. Masasayang ang pag-aaral ng mga bata.”
Under international human rights law, the practice of forced evictions is considered a gross violation of human rights, in particular the right to adequate housing. -30-
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
MMDA demolitions continues, violence mars Taguig operation
Violence erupts in Bicutan, Taguig demolitions
MMDA eases out sidewalk vendors in Bicutan
Violence erupts in Taguig market demolition
MMDA wants soldiers help in clearing operations
Soldiers may work with MMDA in Metro clearing operation
Troops join clearing of danger zones
Vendors to challenge MMDA-AFP ‘alliance’ before CHR
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Group welcomes moratorium on demolitions, evictions
Urban Poor Associates
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Telefax: 4264118 Tel.: 4264119 / 4267615
http://jlagman17.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Group welcomes moratorium on demolitions, evictions
11 October 2007. Top government officials promised a one-month moratorium on demolitions to Metro Manila’s urban poor at a consultative meeting held at the Senate’s Padilla Room yesterday.
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando acceded to the appeal of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Rodolfo Biazon to stop demolitions as the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee (MIMIAC) develops its operational procedures.
At least 100 urban poor leaders went to the Senate to seek help from Senator Zubiri, Chairperson of Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
Also present were officials from Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National Housing Authority (NHA), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
During the meeting, Senator Zubiri criticized the demolition of houses of informal settlers in various parts of Metro Manila. “Merong existing laws at mandatory provisions and Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA). Ang MMDA ay hindi sumusunod. Within one month time, habang ginagawa pa ang polisiya, magkaroon ng moratorium.”
Senator Biazon, former Chairman of the Committee, supported the move saying that Executive Order 152 should be implemented otherwise it should be junk. “Bakit pa nag-issue ang Presidente ng EO 152? Violators of EO 152 challenge the authority of the President,” he said.
Urban Poor Associates (UPA), one of the housing rights non-government organizations that accompanied the people, welcome the moratorium saying this is good news for the urban poor.
“Our demolition monitor shows that MMDA is the top violator of housing rights,” said Ted Añana, deputy coordinator of UPA. “In fact, MMDA doesn’t secure Certificate of Compliance from PCUP prior to demolitions.”
He said thousands of poor families will be affected by on-going demolitions along Pasig River, Manggahan floodway, San Juan River, R-10 Navotas, Southrail, Del Pan, Commonwealth Avenue and along estero in Makati, Pasay, Quezon City and Manila.
UPA together with other NGOs such as Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation and Community Organizers Multiversity (COM) formed the Task Force Anti Illegal Demolition (TF-AID) to help people’s organizations affected by various government projects.
“Parang hindi pa rin tinatanggap ng MMDA ang batas. Pwede pa rin silang mag-summary evictions,” said Soti Sabarre, community organizer of COPE. “Aminado ang PCUP na wala silang magawa dahil takot kay Bayani.”
Sabarre said there should be plans, consultation and budget for relocation to maximize the one-month moratorium. “Gusto ng tao ang near-city relocation sa Montalban. Suporta lang ng gubyerno ang wala.” -30-
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Urban poor leaders ask Zubiri to help stop demolitions, evictions
Urban Poor Associates
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Telefax: 4264118 Tel.: 4264119 / 4267615
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
http://jlagman17.blogspot.com
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Urban poor leaders ask Zubiri to help stop demolitions, evictions
10 October 2007. Plagued with the problems of distant relocation, forced eviction and illegal demolition, thousands of urban poor families in Metro Manila are trying to solve the problems they face by seeking the help of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Chairperson of Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
At a consultative meeting this afternoon held at the Sen. G.T. Pecson Room 2/F Right Wing, Senator Zubiri was asked to look on the demolition of houses of informal settlers in various parts of Metro Manila.
Urban poor leaders also asked Senator Zubiri to order the national agencies involved, especially the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to stop evicting poor families if there is no relocation.
Catherine Arquero, spokesperson of Task Force Anti Illegal Demolition (TF-AID), told the Senator that housing and not demolitions will solve the root causes of homelessness.
“Ang batas ay ginawa para ipagtanggol ang mamamayan, lalo na ang mahihirap. Pero sa mga nangyayaring illegal na demolisyon, walang silbi ang batas dahil wala namang napaparusahan,” said Arquero.
TF-AID represents people’s organization of some 100,000 poor families affected by demolitions along Pasig River, Manggahan floodway, San Juan River, R-10 Navotas, Southrail, Del Pan, along estero in Makati, Pasay, Quezon City and Manila, and those who were relocated to distant sites due to government projects.
It was the first Senate hearing in the last 6 years about forced evictions and illegal demolitions, according to the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), one of the housing rights non-government organizations that accompanied the people.
“Demolitions causes terrible suffering to poor families. Evicted families are forced to live on the streets. The children and the aged suffer most of all. Their children fall sick with colds and rashes. It is a traumatic experience for school children,” said Ted Añana, deputy coordinator of UPA.
Recently, the MMDA have forcibly evicted at least 1,000 families along Commonwealth Avenue to give way to a road widening project. No relocation site was provided, making the poor families homeless and more miserable. The same fate awaits some 393,000 families in Metro Manila. These are unprogrammed demolitions for non-budgeted projects, according to Percival Chavez, chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.
TF-AID was formed by UPA, Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM) and people’s organizations affected by government projects such as flood control, railway improvement, road widening and beautification
The group organized the meeting at the Senate to ask for the following:
· Stop violent and illegal demolition. Follow the laws.
· Give relief assistance to victims of illegal demolitions.
· Include representatives of affected families to the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee.
· Make in-city or near-city relocation sites as viable option to distant relocation.
-30-
25-A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Q.C.
Telefax: 4264118 Tel.: 4264119 / 4267615
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlagman17
http://jlagman17.blogspot.com
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Urban poor leaders ask Zubiri to help stop demolitions, evictions
10 October 2007. Plagued with the problems of distant relocation, forced eviction and illegal demolition, thousands of urban poor families in Metro Manila are trying to solve the problems they face by seeking the help of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Chairperson of Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement.
At a consultative meeting this afternoon held at the Sen. G.T. Pecson Room 2/F Right Wing, Senator Zubiri was asked to look on the demolition of houses of informal settlers in various parts of Metro Manila.
Urban poor leaders also asked Senator Zubiri to order the national agencies involved, especially the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to stop evicting poor families if there is no relocation.
Catherine Arquero, spokesperson of Task Force Anti Illegal Demolition (TF-AID), told the Senator that housing and not demolitions will solve the root causes of homelessness.
“Ang batas ay ginawa para ipagtanggol ang mamamayan, lalo na ang mahihirap. Pero sa mga nangyayaring illegal na demolisyon, walang silbi ang batas dahil wala namang napaparusahan,” said Arquero.
TF-AID represents people’s organization of some 100,000 poor families affected by demolitions along Pasig River, Manggahan floodway, San Juan River, R-10 Navotas, Southrail, Del Pan, along estero in Makati, Pasay, Quezon City and Manila, and those who were relocated to distant sites due to government projects.
It was the first Senate hearing in the last 6 years about forced evictions and illegal demolitions, according to the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), one of the housing rights non-government organizations that accompanied the people.
“Demolitions causes terrible suffering to poor families. Evicted families are forced to live on the streets. The children and the aged suffer most of all. Their children fall sick with colds and rashes. It is a traumatic experience for school children,” said Ted Añana, deputy coordinator of UPA.
Recently, the MMDA have forcibly evicted at least 1,000 families along Commonwealth Avenue to give way to a road widening project. No relocation site was provided, making the poor families homeless and more miserable. The same fate awaits some 393,000 families in Metro Manila. These are unprogrammed demolitions for non-budgeted projects, according to Percival Chavez, chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.
TF-AID was formed by UPA, Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM) and people’s organizations affected by government projects such as flood control, railway improvement, road widening and beautification
The group organized the meeting at the Senate to ask for the following:
· Stop violent and illegal demolition. Follow the laws.
· Give relief assistance to victims of illegal demolitions.
· Include representatives of affected families to the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee.
· Make in-city or near-city relocation sites as viable option to distant relocation.
-30-
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
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