** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Urban Poor Asks Supreme Court to Convene Advisory Committee on Manila Bay Clean Up
08 October 2009. Eight months after the creation of the advisory committee that will oversee the Manila Bay clean up, the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) filed before the Supreme Court today a motion to convene the advisory committee and to submit report if no laws are violated or will be violated as well as other human and shelter rights by the concerned government agencies implementing the court’s decision to clean up Manila Bay.
The creation of the advisory committee came following the filing of a motion for clarification by the said group and the informal settlers who cried foul over the demolition of their houses without prior notice by the personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), supposedly in line with the ruling of the court issued on December 18, 2008 concerning the Manila Bay cleanup.
In a nine-page motion, the urban poor group through their lawyer, Ritche Esponilla, stressed that the urgency in convening the advisory committee is to come out with its official report. The report is to concern whether or not the various implementing government agencies follow the relevant laws or not particularly R.A 7279 or the Act providing for the Comprehensive and Continuing Urban Development and Housing Program.
UPA said 70,000 urban poor families surrounding Manila Bay are in danger of being demolished without due relocation. Earlier this year, it was also reported that unannounced and illegal demolitions were carried out along waterways and esteros surrounding the area of Manila Bay.
“There is an urgent need to convene the advisory committee as different government agencies are hastily implementing the clean up as a result of tropical storm Ondoy,” Atty. Esponilla said.
Atty. Esponilla said while the clean up is valuable and must be duly supported by all sectors it must not come at the expense of displacing thousands of urban poor families already marginalized by society.
“Let us be clear about two things here. One, the poor are not the major cause of the floodings. Second, the urban poor communities are not against any move to clean up Manila bay in order to restore its former splendor,” Atty. Esponilla stressed.
UPA said there are other explanation for floodings such as urban planning defects and environmental degradation as a result of illegal logging and quarrying activities in the mountains around Metro Manila. The group also said that the urban poor dwellers along esteros, waterways and other so-called danger areas not as a “matter of choice” but because they must in order to survive.
“As such, we believe in the effort to clean up Manila Bay, a comprehensive and decent relocation program and immediate economic relief must come with the initiative,” Atty. Esponilla said.
Atty. Esponilla also said the public must not be made to choose between the interest of the environment and the rights and welfare of the poor.
“They are not mutually exclusive of one another. Both are important. Surely, the rehabilitation of Manila Bay without resolving the urban poor question would be another tragedy. We would get rid off the pollution at the expense of the people. As such, we urge the government to convene the advisory committee to prevent or avert any violation of laws particularly the shelter rights of the poor living in the surrounding area of Manila Bay,” Atty. Esponilla concluded.
Other movants of the said motion include Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE), Kabalikat sa Pagpapaunlad ng Baseco (KABALIKAT), Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig (ULAP) and residents along Radial 10 (R-10) Boulevard in Tondo, Manila. -30-
Showing posts with label demolitions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demolitions. Show all posts
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
PRESS STATEMENT NG TASK FORCE ANTI-EVICTION – ARAW NG MGA BAYANI
IKA-31 NG AGOSTO, 2009
Sa panahon na may krisis pang-ekonomiya ang buong mundo, MAKATAONG PAMUMUHAY
PARA SA MARALITA ang tugon. HINDI DEMOLISYON.
Inilabas kailan lamang ang Executive Order 803, isang ehekutibong aksyon na nagtakda ng gampaning papel at gawain ng Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee (MMIAC). Ang itinakdang namumuno nito ay ang Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)na ang mandato ay manggiba ng mga bahay ng mga Maralita. Hindi mandato ng MMDA ang magtayo ng disenteng pabahay para sa mga maralita. Mandato ito ng National Housing Authority. May mali sa lipunan natin sa pagtrato sa problema ng panirahanan. Matagal nang isinisigaw ang MAKATAONG PAMUMUHAY PARA SA MARALITA. HINDI DEMOLISYON ANG TUGON SA GUTOM, SA KAWALANG TRABAHO AT SA KAWALANG BAHAY AT LUPA.
Ang E.O. 803 ay taliwas sa kabutihan para sa mga Maralita. Sa representasyon na lamang ng mga Maralita sa MIMIAC na itinakda ng E.O. 803, pakitang-tao lamang ang sinasabi nito. Ang MIMIAC ang magtutukoy ng kinatawan na galing sa Maralita. Bakit ganun? Bakit hindi 50% ng MIMIAC ang boses ng mga Maralita kung para sa mga Maralita nga ang MIMIAC? Kahit na ang manera ng pagdidisisyon sa MIMIAC ay hindi malinaw.
Ang Pasig River ay kadugtong ng ating buhay bilang mga mamamayan at obligasyon nating lahat ang linisin ito. Madumi ito dahil walang maayos na DRAINAGE SYSTEM ANG METRO MANILA. Madumi ito dahil ang mga PABRIKA sa paligid nito ay hindi maayos ang pagtapon ng kanilang dumi. Bakit ang unang iniisip sa paglinis ng Ilog Pasig ay ang paggiba ng mga bahay ng mga Maralita? Kabayanihan ba ito? Kung pupwedeng tumayo sa libingan sina Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Tandang Sora at iba pang nagmahal ng bayang ito dadagundong ang sigaw na HINDI. HINDI KABAYANIHAN ANG PAGYURAK SA MGA KARAPATANG PANTAO NG MGA MARALITA.
Kamakailan lamang may mga demolisyon sa Quezon City na hindi sumunod sa isinasaad sa walong MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS ng Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA). At marami ang nakaambang demolisyon sa mga tinatawag ng gobierno na DANGER AREAS. Gigibain ang mga bahay sa danger areas pero walang programa para sa makataong pabahay. Maling mali ang mga nangyayaring ito. Biruin niyo, pagkatapos gibain ang mga bahay ng mga maralita, ang mga bata ay nagtatanong: Saan po ba tayo titira ngayong gabi? Paano po kung umulan dito sa kalsada?
MAKATAONG PABAHAY, HINDI DEMOLISYON. ITO ANG PANAWAGAN NAMIN NGAYON AT BUKAS.
MAGBUO NG MAS MAKA-MARALITA AT MAKATARUNGANG PROGRAMA PARA SA MGA MARALITA. PALITAN ANG NILALAMAN NG E.O. DAHIL HINDI ITO ANG DIWA NG MAKATAONG PABAHAY PARA SA MARALITA.
TASK FORCE ANTI-EVICTION
IKA-31 NG AGOSTO 2009
ARAW NG MGA BAYANI
c/o COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS MULTIVERSITY
No. 18, Marunong STREET, Barangay Central, Quezon City
Tel. No. 9220246; Mobile Phone: (Jessica) 09297406771
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling
** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **
Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling
16 February 2009. Several urban poor communities have decided to seek clarification from the Supreme Court regarding its ruling in cleaning up Manila Bay that seems to give license to government agencies, particularly the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to demolish their dwellings found along the banks of Pasig River and its tributaries.
The communities have sought the assistance of St. Thomas More Law Center of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan) to act as their counsel in a motion for clarification before the Supreme Court which will be filed Monday (February 16) morning.
In its decision on MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, et. al (SC GR. Nos. 171947-48), the Court mandates and authorizes the demolition of structures, houses of the urban poor included, as an integral process of cleaning the Manila Bay, without mentioning the obligation of the implementing agencies to observe the need for consultation and relocation in a humane manner as required by law.
Under Republic Act 7279 also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (more popularly known as the Lina Law), families who live in the so called danger zones may be relocated and their homes may be demolished provided that they are given adequate relocation after a process of consultation and dialogue.
This clarification from the court is urgently needed because the usual practice of MMDA is to demolish dwellings without giving notice and doing away with consultation, and without providing adequate relocation.
In fact, MMDA practices summary demolition based on the Building Code and the provision on summary demolition under the Civil Code.
MMDA has rendered thousands of urban poor families homeless, some of whom are now literally living in the streets with their children and elderly, exposed to the elements.
The number of families estimated to be directly affected by this court ruling is about 70,000.
While the communities have no legal standing to question the decision as they are not a party to the case, they have sought a prior leave of court to be allowed to seek clarification on the manner of executing and implementing the decision.
They will be directly affected if the government agencies, particularly the MMDA should interpret the decision as an order to demolish and destroy their dwellings without observing the people’s right to notice, consultation and relocation, among others.
Aside from UPA, other movants are housing rights NGOs such as the Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE), Kabalikat sa Pagpapaunlad ng Baseco (Kabalikat), Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig (ULAP) and residents along Radial 10 (R-10) Boulevard in Tondo, Manila. -30-
Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling
16 February 2009. Several urban poor communities have decided to seek clarification from the Supreme Court regarding its ruling in cleaning up Manila Bay that seems to give license to government agencies, particularly the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to demolish their dwellings found along the banks of Pasig River and its tributaries.
The communities have sought the assistance of St. Thomas More Law Center of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan) to act as their counsel in a motion for clarification before the Supreme Court which will be filed Monday (February 16) morning.
In its decision on MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, et. al (SC GR. Nos. 171947-48), the Court mandates and authorizes the demolition of structures, houses of the urban poor included, as an integral process of cleaning the Manila Bay, without mentioning the obligation of the implementing agencies to observe the need for consultation and relocation in a humane manner as required by law.
Under Republic Act 7279 also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (more popularly known as the Lina Law), families who live in the so called danger zones may be relocated and their homes may be demolished provided that they are given adequate relocation after a process of consultation and dialogue.
This clarification from the court is urgently needed because the usual practice of MMDA is to demolish dwellings without giving notice and doing away with consultation, and without providing adequate relocation.
In fact, MMDA practices summary demolition based on the Building Code and the provision on summary demolition under the Civil Code.
MMDA has rendered thousands of urban poor families homeless, some of whom are now literally living in the streets with their children and elderly, exposed to the elements.
The number of families estimated to be directly affected by this court ruling is about 70,000.
While the communities have no legal standing to question the decision as they are not a party to the case, they have sought a prior leave of court to be allowed to seek clarification on the manner of executing and implementing the decision.
They will be directly affected if the government agencies, particularly the MMDA should interpret the decision as an order to demolish and destroy their dwellings without observing the people’s right to notice, consultation and relocation, among others.
Aside from UPA, other movants are housing rights NGOs such as the Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE), Kabalikat sa Pagpapaunlad ng Baseco (Kabalikat), Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig (ULAP) and residents along Radial 10 (R-10) Boulevard in Tondo, Manila. -30-
Saturday, February 14, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY: Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling in Cleaning Up Manila Bay
Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists
MEDIA ADVISORY
Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling in Cleaning Up Manila Bay
Due to the threats of demolitions and forced evictions, several urban poor community leaders are set to take up a legal battle on Monday (February 16) as they seek clarification from the Supreme Court with its ruling in cleaning up Manila Bay.
Several urban poor communities in Metro Manila have sought the assistance of St. Thomas More Law Center of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan) to act as their counsel in a motion for clarification before the Supreme Court.
The urban poor movants in this motion for clarification will accompany the lawyers to the Supreme Court on Monday at 10:00 AM. After the filing they will give a press con outside the court.
The Supreme Court ruling seems to give license to government agencies, particularly the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to demolish their dwellings found along the banks of Pasig River and its tributaries.
In its decision on MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, et. al (SC GR. Nos. 171947-48), the Court mandates and authorizes the demolition of structures, houses of the urban poor included, as an integral process of cleaning the Manila Bay, without mentioning the obligation of the implementing agencies to observe the need for consultation and relocation in a humane manner as required by law.
This clarification from the court is urgently needed because the usual practice of MMDA is to demolish dwellings without giving notice and doing away with consultation, and without providing adequate relocation.
According to UPA, the number of families estimated to be directly affected by this court ruling is about 70,000.
Date: February 16, 2009 (Monday) / 10:00 AM
Venue: Supreme Court
Download: MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION OF PRONOUNCEMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT
MOTION FOR PRIOR LEAVE
LEAVE OF COURT TO ADMIT THE ATTACHED MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION OF PRONOUNCEMENTS
News Release - Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling
Media Advisory - Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling in Cleaning Up Manila Bay
MEDIA ADVISORY
Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling in Cleaning Up Manila Bay
Due to the threats of demolitions and forced evictions, several urban poor community leaders are set to take up a legal battle on Monday (February 16) as they seek clarification from the Supreme Court with its ruling in cleaning up Manila Bay.
Several urban poor communities in Metro Manila have sought the assistance of St. Thomas More Law Center of the Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (Saligan) to act as their counsel in a motion for clarification before the Supreme Court.
The urban poor movants in this motion for clarification will accompany the lawyers to the Supreme Court on Monday at 10:00 AM. After the filing they will give a press con outside the court.
The Supreme Court ruling seems to give license to government agencies, particularly the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to demolish their dwellings found along the banks of Pasig River and its tributaries.
In its decision on MMDA vs. Concerned Residents of Manila Bay, et. al (SC GR. Nos. 171947-48), the Court mandates and authorizes the demolition of structures, houses of the urban poor included, as an integral process of cleaning the Manila Bay, without mentioning the obligation of the implementing agencies to observe the need for consultation and relocation in a humane manner as required by law.
This clarification from the court is urgently needed because the usual practice of MMDA is to demolish dwellings without giving notice and doing away with consultation, and without providing adequate relocation.
According to UPA, the number of families estimated to be directly affected by this court ruling is about 70,000.
Date: February 16, 2009 (Monday) / 10:00 AM
Venue: Supreme Court
Download: MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION OF PRONOUNCEMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT
MOTION FOR PRIOR LEAVE
LEAVE OF COURT TO ADMIT THE ATTACHED MOTION FOR CLARIFICATION OF PRONOUNCEMENTS
News Release - Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling
Media Advisory - Urban Poor Group Seeks Clarification of Supreme Court Ruling in Cleaning Up Manila Bay
Saturday, February 07, 2009
MEDIA ADVISORY: CONFRONTATION - CHR vs. MMDA
Residents along R-10 in Tondo, Manila look on as demolition team from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducts clearing operations on Feb. 3.
Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONFRONTATION
CHR vs. MMDA
On Monday February 9 the irresistible force, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) headed by Chairperson Leila de Lima, will challenge the immovable object, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando.
On the R-10 Road before Pier 10, near Moriones Street, the local residents will hold before the eviction teams of MMDA the CHR Resolution No. A2008-052, a resolution recommending the imposition of a moratorium on all evictions and demolitions.
The CHR has ordered all evictions which do not provide decent relocation to stop immediately. The MMDA since Feb. 2 has evicted families without any relocation. The two government bodies will confront one another Monday at 8:00 AM along the R-10.
The R-10 which stretches from Velasquez Street in Tondo to Lapu Lapu Street in Navotas is scheduled to be widened. Some 3,046 families by government count are in the way. NGO workers of Urban Poor Associates (UPA) and Community Organizers of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) say there are more than 10,000 families on the road. Neither MMDA nor the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which commissioned the evictions, offers relocation.
The CHR has determined eviction without relocation is a violation of the country’s laws.
Please come.
Where: R-10 Tondo, before Pier 10, near Moriones Street
Date: February 9, 2009 (Monday) / 8:00 AM
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