Urban Poor Nagpahayag Ng Suporta Sa Panukalang Ordinansa Para Sa Moratorium ng Demolisyon, Ebiksyon

Walang nagawa ang isang matandang babae na residente ng Old Sta Mesa kundi pagmasdan na lamang ang kanyang bahay habang ginigiba ng mga tauhan ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) noong January 19, 2009.

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Urban Poor Nagpahayag Ng Suporta Sa Panukalang Ordinansa Para Sa Moratorium ng Demolisyon, Ebiksyon

2 February 2008 / Quezon City. Dahil sa mga sunud-sunod na banta ng mararahas at di- makataong demolisyon, lumapit ang iba’t ibang grupo ng maralitang tagalungsod sa Konseho ng Quezon City upang hilingin na magkaroon ng ordinansa na naglalayong magkaroon ng moratorium sa walang humpay na panggigiba na wala namang sapat na konsultasyon at maayos na relokasyon.

Kaugnay nito, nagpahayag ng suporta ang mga grupo ng maralitang tagalungsod sa panukalang magkaroon ng moratorium sa demolisyon habang dinidinig ang naturang ordinansa.

Nakatakdang dinggin bukas (February 3) ng Quezon City Council sa Carlos Albert Hall ang naturang ordinansa sa isang public hearing na pangungunahan ng Committee on Laws, Rules and Internal Government at ng Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Bilang pagsuporta, ang public hearing ay dadaluhan ng iba’t ibang grupo ng urban poor sector kabilang ang mga non-government organizations tulad ng Urban Poor Associates (UPA), Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), Community Organization of the Philippines Enterprise (COPE), Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) at Partnership of Philippine Support Agencies (PHILSSA).

Ang naturang ordinansa ay pagtugon sa rekomendasyon ng Commision on Human Rights (CHR) Resolution # A2008-052 na nag-aatas sa mga Local Government Units na magkaroon ng moratorium sa ebiksyon at demolisyon ng mga bahay ng maralitang tagalungsod upang pangalagaan ang karapatan sa disenteng tahanan ng mga ito.

“Ang naturang panukalang ordinansa ay hindi pangungunsinti sa mga informal settlers bagkus ay siyang magsisiguro sa makataong proseso katulad ng konsultasyon, sapat na relokasyon at iba pang mga pangangailangan na isinasaad sa Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA),” ayon kay Veronica Magpantay, coordinator ng Riverside Coordinating Council ng Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig (RCC-ULAP), isang peoples’ organization.

“Ang karapatang pantao ng bawat nilalang ay hindi dapat nako-kompromiso sa interes lamang ng iilan bagkus sa interes dapat ng nakararami. Ang mga maralitang tagalungsod ay mga lehitimong Pilipinong walang sariling lupa sa kaniyang sariling bayan. Karapatan din nilang ipaglaban ang kanilang dignidad bilang tao,” sinabi ni Magpantay.

“Kung walang maralitang tagalungsod, walang mga manggagawa, taxi drivers, magbabantay ng mga kotse (parking attendant), mangangalahig ng basura at iba pa. Marami rin sa mga nagtatrabaho sa gubyerno ay galing sa maralitang tagalungsod. Wala bang utang na loob ang bansang ito?” dagdag pa ni Magpantay.

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Speech delivered by Commision on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Atty. Leila M. de Lima

On the Occasion of the Launch of the Manifesto on Illegal Demolitions and Forced Evictions

Quezon City, 2 September 2008

delivered by
LEILA M. DE LIMA

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.

The Fourth Commission has just marked the first 100 days in office and we reported to the media many of the accomplishments achieved in the past three and a half months. One of the most important campaigns of the Commission on human rights protection is the drive to put an end to illegal demolitions and forced evictions.

Today is an especially important landmark for the Fourth Commission. The Manifesto presented here today represents the first giant step forward for the Commission on the cause of putting an end to illegal demolitions and forced evictions. The passage of the UDHA several years ago was billed as a breakthrough for informal settlers. As we've seen over the years, however, the deficiencies of the UDHA have become apparent. Hindi na tugunan ng UDHA ang 'di makatarungan at maka-taong demolisyon at ebiksyon. Hindi lubusang matupad ng mga lokal na pamahalaan ang mga probisyon ng Saligang Batas at ng UDHA. This Manifesto represents the strongest statement from those affected most by MMDA and local government demolition operations. We at the Commission are thrilled that our contribution to and support for the efforts of the urban poor groups has culminated in this presentation of the Manifesto. We have noted, with great pride, that many of the recommendations of the Commission on the amendment of the UDHA have been incorporated into the Manifesto.

The Commission lauds the efforts of the Urban Poor Associates and its affiliated organizations. The strength of this campaign is not merely in the multitude that it seeks to protect and represent but in its effectiveness of organization. The Manifesto is a unifying document that brings together the thousands who are adversely affected by illegal demolitions. Hereafter, it is vital that the presentation of this Manifesto to the media will generate even more support from more urban poor organizations and bring as many stake-holders together and speak with one voice through one Manifesto.

The task is, by far, not over. From the hundreds here this morning, we have to gather thousands and thousands more. Remember that the strength is not just in the numbers. It must be in organized numbers.

There are many critical contributions that must follow for this campaign to succeed. Since the local government is a critical part in the process of demolitions and evictions, their positive action is key to our campaign. It is not enough that we invite representatives of the local government to attend our forums on illegal demolitions. Hindi sapat na sabihin nila na alam nila ang mga hinanakit ng mga impormal na nananahanan. Hindi rin sapat na alam nila na may problema sa implementasyon ng UDHA. Hindi sapat na sasabihin ng MMDA na sumusunod lang sila sa isang resolusyon ng Metro Manila Council. Sa panig naman ng mga LGUs, PCUP at NHA, hindi sapat na panay ang bintang nila sa MMDA. Nangangailangan na ng aksyon sa pamamagitan ng mga local legislation at ordinansya na ipinagbabawal ng di-makatarungang demolisyon. Having said this, it is extremely important now to foster cooperation between organized urban poor groups and the various mayors. Before the passage of any amended law on the UDHA, the local government units must be on-board and supportive of alternatives to forced evictions and proactively preventing illegal demolitions.

In addition, the contribution of the media in disseminating our cause is key. Today's event is intended to generate media interest. However, the campaign is far from over and media coverage must be sustained over the course of our struggle to bring about just and humane solutions to the urban housing problem. All the more, the efforts of the UPA and other groups have to be coordinated and organized, in order to sustain a public relations campaign. As with other human rights issues that occupy the front pages of the news, this campaign must gather enough momentum to find its way onto the newspapers and evening news. It must not stop until both the local and national government fulfill the promises of the UDHA and Constitution.

At the moment, we are witnessing some progress in the fight against unjust and inhumane evictions. In finding other allies in government, the efforts of both the Commission and the urban poor groups have been recognized by the Supreme Court no less. This is a very important development especially since there has hardly been any declared support from the Executive Branch and LGUs, and Legislative support, spearheaded by Senator Aquino will take time before an Amended UDHA can be passed. The Chief Justice, however, is already exploring the possibility of amending the Writ of Amparo to extend to the protection of economic, social and cultural rights, and thus the same writ intended to protect victims of extralegal killings and enforced disappearances may soon protect victims of illegal demolitions and forced evictions as well.

The gains are still small, but they are promising. What we need now is not so much a show of anger or dissidence or violence, but sobriety. We need to be very deliberate in our efforts to gain the cooperation of key sectors of government and civil society. We need to be calculating in our managing of our resources and networks in sustaining media coverage. We need to contribute, with earnest effort, to find alternatives to forced evictions in order to suggest solutions to the government authorities, instead of expecting them to devise their own solutions. In all, our campaign must not be driven by anger, but by soberness. We will attain the justice for all informal settlers not by indignation, but with clarity of thought.

Nang mabasa ko ang Manifesto,napansin ko na may pagkakatulad ito sa aming mungkahi para sa aming kampanya laban sa ilegal na demolisyon. Sa panawagan ninyo para sa moratorium sa demolisyon at sapilitang ebiksyon, imumungkahi ko sa Commission En Banc na magpalabas ng resolusyon ukol dito.

Ipagdasal natin na makakamit natin ang mga hangarin ng ating Manifesto at ang ating layunin ng ating pakikibaka. Ipagdasal din natin na mananatiling matatag ang loob ng mga lahat ng nagbubuhos ng pawis at dugo para sumulong ang kampanya natin na makamtam ang tunay na justisya para sa mga maralitang komunidad. Nawa'y maging tunay na makatao at makatarungan ang ating lipunan.

Maraming salamat po.

References: ADVISORY ON THE CONDUCT OF FORCED EVICTIONS AND HOUSE DEMOLITIONS

MEDIA ADVISORY : Urban Poor Set to March to CHR for Eviction Moratorium

Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

Urban Poor Set to March to CHR for Eviction Moratorium

Five hundred urban poor people will march to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday (September 2) to meet with CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima in order to discuss the moratorium on forced evictions until the laws governing evictions and relocation are clearly agreed upon by all government agencies and the people concerned.

The idea of such a moratorium was suggested by government officials and various people’s groups associated with the Task Force Anti-Eviction. The people agree it is necessary. Too many families are being evicted in violation of the law, the people say.

People from urban poor communities around Metro Manila will march towards CHR at 8:00 AM beginning in front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) office at the Elliptical Road in Quezon City.

Photo ops: People will have someone to impersonate MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando as “the devil with horns and tails.” There will be a skit and hopefully agreement about the moratorium.

Assembly point: National Housing Authority, Elliptical Road, Q.C.

Date: September 2, 2008 (Tuesday)

Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Venue: Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Commonwealth Avenue, UP Complex, Diliman, Q.C.

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

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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-