CHR warns MMDA, other govt agencies vs forced eviction, demolition

06/17/2008 | 05:08 PM




CHR chief warns gov’t vs abuses in demolitions

Several houses in QC to be demolished over land row

06/13/2008 | 12:39 PM




Residents voluntarily demolish shanties in QC
06/13/2008 | 11:15 AM

Muslims in Baclaran, Groups Resist Forced Eviction

** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **

Muslims in Baclaran, Groups Resist Forced Eviction

12 June 2008. Muslims have warned the government against the demolition of their mosque situated at a reclamation site in Baclaran and said that forced eviction of some 300 families would be the bloodiest in Philippine history.

Tension gripped the Muslim community Wednesday after a government demolition team tried to approach the residents who are willing to fight to their death opposing forced eviction and the demolition of their shanties.

Armed with sticks and stones, angry residents blocked some 200 crewmen while some 30 Special Weapons and Action Team (SWAT) secure the area.

As early as 7 am, police were already in the area, according to Abdelmanan Tanandato. Tanandato, a local leader, said the demolition team is using a writ of execution issued by Fortunito Madrona, Presiding Judge of the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 274.

By 9 am, the demolition team started to move in the Muslim community but they later backed off due to the fierce offensive movement of residents. Chanting “Alah Wakbar” (Alah is great), residents had vowed to protect the mosque.

To prevent serious untoward incidents, Muslim leaders held a dialogue with Jeffrey Sales, the RTC sheriff. Sales agreed to give the residents more time to get a legal remedy like temporary restraining order (TRO).

During a public hearing at the Senate last Tuesday, Tanandato asked Senator Noynoy Aquino to intervene on behalf of the Muslim families. Senator Aquino said he would call Andrea Domingo, General Manager of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to halt the demolition and arrange a dialogue.

Senator Aquino had recently filed Senate Resolution No. 402 directing the committee on local government to investigate in aid of legislation, the implementation of Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992. This is principally on the mandate of local government units to conduct inventory of all lands within their respective localities and identify sites for socialized housing and resettlement areas.

After 15 years UDHA has failed to provide for a comprehensive and continuing urban development and housing program due to terrible implementation, according to Urban Poor Associates (UPA), a housing rights NGO. “Thousands of families are literally evicted and left in the streets without relocation. Of the 2,781 families evicted this year in Metro Manila, excluding railroad evictions, only 9% received relocation.”

In an oral statement about the Philippine’s Universal Periodic Review which the government submitted to the United Nation’s Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) drew attention to the continuing prevalence of forced evictions. In a session held in Geneva, Switzerland, COHRE said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in particular evicted over 2,000 families last year, without resettlement benefits in over 90% of the cases.

COHRE will also raise to the Human Rights Council the issue of forced eviction of Muslims in Baclaran and write a letter of concern to the Philippine government. -30-

MMDA goes after illegal vendors in Quezon City

06/09/2008 | 07:41 PM




Saksi: Mga ambulant vendor sa paligid ng ilang eskwelahan sa Metro Manila, tinarget ng MMDA
06/09/2008 | 11:43 PM

190-Hectare Reclamation Project Raises Fears Among Baseco Residents

** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **

02 June 2008. Mail brigades have been launched for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to see the fear some 10,000 families have of being evicted because of the government’s plan to move them from the land proclaimed for them at the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Company (Baseco) Compound at the Port Area in Manila.

Baseco residents have filed to Malacañang everyday since May 13 to bring the letters the people are writing everyday to the president appealing for help.

On May 13 President Arroyo led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Baseco Reclamation Expansion Project. Phase 1 of the reclamation project is a 10-hectare reclamation project, costing P252 million, to be a socialized housing project for 3,000 families. The reclamation project to be undertaken by Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) is located outside the existing 56-hectare Baseco compound that was proclaimed for the 6,000-8,000 resident families in 2002.

The Master plan shows that Phase 2 of the reclamation project, making a total area of 180.14 hectares, includes an oil depot area, dumping ground, anchorage area, buffer zone/inland channel and 135-hectares of saleable lots.

In the letters, the residents thank President Arroyo for having proclaimed Baseco as a socialized housing, but say that up to now no documents have been issued pertaining to the land titles in the reclamation that guarantee security of tenure.

The government says it will reclaim the 10 hectares as proposed and move families there from the 56 hectares. The government will then develop 35 hectares of the 56 hectares proclaimed for commercial purposes.

Urban Poor Associates (UPA), in a press statement, noted that the residents are afraid of the reclamation project due to the following points:

- There are plans for 3,000 families. What will happen to all the other families?

- It is not clear who the beneficiaries are. Will it be only families censused in 2001? What of the other thousands of families living there now? (The City of Manila had conducted a survey in 2001 with 6,000 families.)

- Will the 3,000 units be affordable?

- Will the 2,000 houses of Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity built a short time ago with private donations of P60 million remain or will they be removed?

- Who is the main stakeholder in this huge venture? Where will financing come from?

- Does the fact that the land is proclaimed limit what uses can be made of it? If it was proclaimed for homes, can it be used for commerce?

According to UPA, a housing rights NGO, the Land Proclamation program of the government, 2001-2004 set aside government lands for the homes of the poor. Some 200,000 families lived on these lands and benefited. However, there have been few proclamations after the 2004 presidential elections. Some of the proclamations are being amended or radically changed; and finally, there has been no follow-up upgrading and titling program in these areas which means the fear of forced eviction is ever present. ###

Manila's informal settlers wary about reclamation project

1 hurt as MMDA personnel clash with vendors at Muñoz market

05/15/2008 | 04:53 PM




MMDA personnel, vendors clash
05/15/2008 | 07:23 PM




Saksi: MMDA men clash with illegal vendors in Quezon City
05/15/2008 | 11:47 PM

Over 200 shanties demolished in Balintawak

05/14/2008 | 12:20 PM




MMDA demolishes 200 shanties in Quezon City
05/14/2008 | 06:57 PM

Tension marks demolition inside Camp Karingal in Quezon City

04/30/2008 | 10:37 AM




QTV: Tension marks demolition inside Camp Karingal
04/30/2008 | 12:03 PM




Residents clash with cops during demolition in QC
04/30/2008 | 06:43 PM




1 nabbed as squatters evicted inside QC police camp

MMDA demolishes 400 houses in Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City

04/28/2008 | 06:51 PM




QTV: 300 shanties demolished in Quezon City
04/28/2008 | 12:33 PM




Nearly 400 shanties demolished in QC

Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolition (TF-AID) letter to NHA General Manager Federico Laxa

Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolitions
c/o Urban Poor Associates (UPA), 25-A Mabuhay St. Brgy. Central, Quezon City
Tel.426-7615/922-0246/723-7420


Ika 21 ng Abril 2008


KGG. FEDERICO LAXA
General Manager
National Housing Authority
Elliptical Road
Quezon City


Ginoong GM Laxa,

Pagbati ng Kapayapaan!

Dalawang-buwan at kalahati na po ang lumipas mula noong ika 31 ng Enero 2008 na pagpupulong sa Heroes Hall ng Malacanang na pinamunuan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at kasama ang mga housing officials tulad po ninyo at G. Froilan Kampitan, MMDA, PCUP, mga kinatawan ng Catholic Bishops Conference na sina Arzobispo Talamayan at Obispo Villena, at mga kinatawan ng Task Force Anti Illegal Demolition. Sa susunod na mga araw kami po ay mag-uulat sa mga kinatawan ng CBCP; sila po ay nagpaabot sa amin ng kanilang kagustuhan na malaman ano ang mga nangyari at nangyayari pagkatapos ng pulong sa Malacanang.

Kung susumahin ang mga sumusunod po ang mga mahalagang napagpasyahan at sinangayunan ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa nasabing pulong:

1. Gawing relokasyon ang mga lugar na nasa lungsod at malalapit sa lungsod (in-city and near-city relocation sites) tulad ng Navotas, Taguig at Montalban/Rodriguez.

2. Walang cut-off date ukol sa mga benepisyaryo ng UDHA. Lahat ng mga maralitang tagalungsod ay saklaw ng batas at ng proteksyon nito.

3. Mayroong dagdag na badyet na 4 bilyong piso para sa panglipunang pabahay laluna sa mga pamilyang apektado ng mga proyektong imprastruktura ng pamahalaan at mga pamilyang nasa danger areas.

4. Maglabas ng Post-Proclamation Implementing Rules and Regulations upang ang mga lupang naiproklama ng pamahalaan ay mapaunlad (upgrading) at sa kalaunan ay maipamahagi sa mga naninirahan doon.

5. Ang BASECO ay para sa socialized housing at hindi para sa gamit komersyal. Ang gagawing reklamasyon ng PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority) na malapit doon ay para din sa socialized housing.

6. Walang demolisyon kung walang relokasyon. Dapat sundin, kasama na ang Department of National Defense, ang prosesong nakasaad sa batas at magbigay ng 45 araw na palugit bilang social preparation.

Naglabas ng mga instruksyon ang ating Pangulo na naitala sa katitikan ng pulong ng pinadala namin sa kanya at mga Obispo at ang katititkan na nilabas ni PCUP (kalakip ng sulat):

Ngunit mula noon hanggang ngayon patuloy na nagaganap ang mga demolisyon at mga banta ng demolisyon ng mga bahay na mga pamilyang naninirahan sa mga tinataguirang danger areas at mga pamilyang apektadong ng mga proyektong imprastruktura ng pamahalaan.

Malinaw ang tugon at direktiba ni Pangulong Arroyo na bigyan ng prayoridad ang in-city at near city relocation sites tulad ng Taguig, Navotas at laluna ang Montalban dahil ito’y malapit at mayroong mga batayang serbisyo. Ngunit hanggang ngayon ang patuloy na inaalok na mga relokasyon ay malalayo at kulang na kulang sa mga batayang serbisyo tulad ng Calauan at Towerville.

Sa pakikipag-usap kay AGM Kampitan nitong nakarang mga lingo, sinabi niya ang dalawang bagay kung bakit hindi tumutulak ang Montalban; walang interesadong developer na gustong pumasok sa Montalban at ang suspension ni Mayor Cuerpo. Kami po nagtatanong: kailan po ninyo binuksan ang bidding at/o paglalabas ng patalastas upang maghikayat ng developer? Malamang na nabasa na po ninyo ang kopya ng proposal na isinumite ni Mayor Cuerpo kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ano po ang komentaryo o feedback ninyo? Ayon sa proposal na ito may 6,000 lote na pag-aari ng HGC, 300 ektarya na mga abandoned subdivisions at 500 ektaryang lupa sa Lungsod Silangan na maaaring gamitin bilang relokasyon ng mga maralita mula sa Metro Manila.

Ang mga pamahalaang lokal ng Navotas at Taguig ay may mga inihain sa Pangulo na relokasyon sa loob ng siyudad. Ayon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Macapagal-Arroyo dapat kakausapin sila, kasama ang LGU ng Montalban/Rodriguez. Ano po ang resulta ng pag-uusap? Naresolba na po ang usapin ng pondo mula sa national government para sa kanilang in-city relocation site proposals?

Ano po ang mga pagkilos at plano ng NHA upang matugunan ang mga direktiba ng Pangulo? Panahon po ngayon ng bakasyon at may mga pamilyang inilikas at nangagambang ililikas.

Noong ika 25 ng Pebreror 2008 nagsimula ang paglikas ng mga pamilyang biktima ng maling demolisyon ng MMDA sa Nissan, Tatalon mula sa “staging area” patungo sa Towerville, ngunit mas matindi pa ang nangyari sa mga pamilyang ito; sapagka’t mula sa staging area kung saan may direktang nasisilungan pa sila patungo sa Towerville na wala kahit na isang pirasong bubong na naihanda. Hindi rin handa ang mga sasakyan ng First Batch na inilikas.

Ganito rin ang napipintong problemang haharapin ng mga kasapi ng 787 Neighborhood Association sa Barangay Sta Cruz, lungsod ng Quezon, na ang napiling relokasyon ay Montalban.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw kinakausap na rin ng mga opisyales ng barangay at LGU ng Pasay ang mga pamilyang naninirahan sa tabing Estero Tripa de Gallina. Sinabihan silang ililikas sila sa Calauan. Ngunit ang mga apektadong pamilya, kasama na ang mga lider na nakadalo sa pulong sa Malacanang ay naninindigang Montalban ang pinipili nilang relokasyon.

Ang mga pamilyang naninirahan sa Estero de Paco at sa mga komunidad tulad ng Tondo, Sta Cruz at Sampaloc sa lungsod ng Maynila na apektado NSLP (Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project) ay matagal nang naninindigan na Montalban ang kanilang relokasyon.

Ayon sa Philippine Fishport Development Authority sa darating na ika 30 ng Abril 2008 sisimulan ang paggiba ng mga bahay sa Market 3, Philippine Fishport, Navotas. Pera po ang inaalok ng PFDA sa kanila ngunit ang karamihan ng mga apektadong pamilya ay gustong magpalikas sa Montalban.

Ibig po naming magkaroon ng kalinawan ang mga nabanggit na usapin at kagyat na magsagawa ng kaukulang aksyon ang inyong tanggapan upang umandar ang mga napagkaisahan sa Malakanyang.

Gayun din, mungkahi naming na gawin nating aktibo ang paglahok namin sa mga aksyon at kilos na inyong isasagawa, upang kami ay makasubaybay sa buong proseso ng paghahanda at pagsasaayos ng mga gawain alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Para sa Katiyakan sa Isang Disente, Makatao at Abot-Kayang Pabahay,


Gumagalang,


TASK FORCE-AID

MEDIA ADVISORY: Urban poor groups set to stage protest rally at the NHA office in QC

Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

Urban poor groups set to stage protest rally at the NHA office in QC

Urban poor groups led by the Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolition (TF-AID) will stage a rally on Monday at the National Housing Authority (NHA) main office in Quezon City to protest the government agency’s non-compliance of the PGMA’s instructions issued January 31st 2008 in Malacañang Palace in a meeting attended by housing officials, urban poor representatives and CBCP representatives Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan and Bishop Ramon Villena.

In that meeting the President agreed to in-city and near-city relocation sites in Taguig, Navotas and Montalban. So the urban poor leaders will ask NHA General Manager Laxa what he has done regarding these sites.

The President also said in that meeting that she has allocated 4 billion pesos for families affected by gov’t infrastructure projects and for families living in danger areas. The TF-AID will ask NHA what happened to the money.

The urban poor leaders say they will report to the CBCP the outcome of the meeting with NHA.

Photo ops: Protesters will line up for porridge (lugaw) to dramatize the situation of urban poor people who will be displaced amid looming food crisis.

Date: April 21, 2008 (Monday)

Time: 10:00 AM

Venue: In front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) Main Office, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

TRO sought against MMDA, DPWH, PNR, NHA to stop forced eviction

** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE *** NEWS RELEASE **

TRO sought against MMDA, DPWH, PNR, NHA to stop forced eviction

16 April 2008. To prevent their eviction and the demolition of their houses, settlers along the railway and Radial Road 10 (R-10) are seeking a temporary restraining order against the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Railways (PNR) and National Housing Authority (NHA).

Petitioners filed their petition for a TRO and preliminary injunction April 16 at the Supreme Court. The settlers who live along the railroad tracks in Sta. Cruz, Tondo and Sampaloc, Manila are being threatened with demolitions and evictions due to the Northrail Southrail Linkage Project (NSLP). While the residents along R-10, North Bay Boulevard in Navotas City are affected by the road-widening project.

The government agencies should be prohibited from evicting the informal settlers and demolishing houses since the evictions are being carried out in utter violation of the constitutional guarantees and safeguards regarding forced evictions vis-à-vis Republic Act 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), according to the Urban Poor Associates (UPA), a non-government organization who provided the assistance through its legal unit, the St. Thomas More Law Center.

“The respondent government agencies brazenly laid down its plan of actions for the year 2008 which involve the demolition of houses and evictions of thousands of urban informal settlers in the guise of carrying out its development and/or clearing operation along the whole stretch of railroad tracks and Road 10, Navotas City,” the counsel for the petitioners, lawyer Bienvenido Salinas Jr. and Ritche Esponilla, said in a statement.”

Other NGOs such as the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) and Community Organizers of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation co-sponsored the filing of the case.

The group cited the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) who admittedly observed several flaws in the conduct of demolitions and evictions in urban poor communities. Such violations are: a mere 5 five days verbal notice; No consultation; Insufficient fund; No relocation; Proponent (like MMDA) do not apply for the Certificate of Compliance with PCUP as required by E.O. 152; Affected families are forced to receive financial assistance instead of relocation; Relocation sites have few if any available economic opportunities; and Relocation sites have no adequate basic services.

“These looming threats of eviction and demolition despite non-compliance with what are required by no less the Constitution and UDHA – e.g. prior notice/s, adequate relocation and consultation which continuously being undertaken by the respondent government agencies inflict gross injustice on the urban poor community. The effect and impact of massive displacements of affected families, including women and children, cannot be denied.”

Petitioners are aware of the basic principle on the observance of hierarchy of courts. With due deference, however, petitioners find it proper to file this suit directly before the Supreme Court under the exception that “when the issue at hand transcends national interest and with a sense of urgency, petition of this nature may be filed directly with the High Court.”

“Undeniably, the issue at hand which will create, as in fact it has created in last year’s demolitions and evictions, massive displacement of affected families within the railroad tracks transcends national interest. This concerns human beings who are also accorded basic rights by no less the Constitution itself to life and shelter. They cannot simply be dragged and forced from their makeshifts in the guise of development and promotion of general welfare.”

Some 50,000 families living on the railroad tracks will be evicted because of the railway project. About 30,000 families still remain on the tracks. While some 16,000 families along R-10 will be evicted due to the road-widening project. -30-

Urban poor group seeks SC's help vs demolitions

Urban poor asks Supreme Court to stop demolitions

Manila, Navotas residents seek TRO vs MMDA demolition

Group asks SC to stop eviction of railway residents

Group says railway project to displace 50,000 families

Stop to demolition

MEDIA ADVISORY : Settlers to seek Supreme Court TRO against MMDA, DPWH, PNR, NHA to stop forced eviction

Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

Settlers to seek Supreme Court TRO against MMDA, DPWH, PNR, NHA to stop forced eviction

The Urban Poor Associates (UPA), Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) and Community Organizers of the Philippine Enterprise (COPE) Foundation request your presence at a media conference to be held at the Max’s Restaurant on Wednesday, April 16 (11:00 AM).

It will coincide with the filing of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Railways (PNR) and National Housing Authority (NHA).

Settlers who will be affected by the Northrail Southrail Linkage Project (NSLP) in Manila and the road-widening project along Radial Road 10 (R-10) in Navotas are seeking a TRO at the Supreme Court to prevent their eviction and the demolition of their houses in the absence of compliance with what is required by the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

Some 50,000 families living on the railroad tracks will be evicted because of the railway project. About 30,000 families still remain on the tracks. While some 16,000 families along R-10 will be evicted due to the road-widening project.


Press Conference

Date: April 16, 2008 (Wednesday)

Time: 11:00 AM

Venue: Max’s Restaurant, 1123 Ma. Orosa St., Brgy. 669, Ermita, City of Manila (Mercedes Function Room)

Hanjin evicts squatters in Subic

04/09/2008 | 07:59 PM




Relocated Subic illegal settlers unhappy with new homes
04/09/2008 | 10:10 PM

Expert warns price of rice may reach P75/kilo

04/02/2008 | 12:35 PM




UP Prof warns price of rice could shoot up to P50 - P70 per kilo
04/02/2008 | 10:32 PM




Rice crisis to kick in during lean months--UP prof


Famine possible with non-stop rise in oil, rice prices - expert

Groups urge gov’t to admit food crisis, implement solutions


Groups seek solution to food problem

DA: High spending key to hiking harvest

People’s Food Summit Declares: Hunger is Governance Crisis!

MEDIA ADVISORY - People’s Food Summit

Urban Rural Poor in Solidarity

Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

People’s Food Summit

Leaders of various industry associations, fisherfolks, labor, academe, youth, professionals, religious and civil society groups will join hands with farmer-producers and urban poor consumers in calling for action to avert the food crisis at a People’s Food Summit to be held on April 2, 2008, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the UP-SOLAIR Auditorium, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City.

The summit will present to the public a People’s Declaration on the Emerging Food Crisis. Its call is: Affordable, Accessible and Adequate Food for All!

The People’s Summit is intended to coincide with the government’s food summit to be held April 4. It represents the thinking of the groups that will be most affected by the crisis.

We hope to meet you there.

Photo ops: All present will sign a large copy of the People’s Declaration.

Date : April 2, 2008 (Wednesday) / 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Venue: UP-SOLAIR Auditorium, U.P. - Diliman, Q.C.

Co-sponsored by the Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolition, Urban Poor Alliance, Pambansang Ugnayan ng mga Nagkakaisang Organisasyon sa Kanayunan, Kilusang Mangingisda, KAMMMPI, Mamamayan para sa Pagpapaunlad at Pagpapanatili ng Lawa ng Laguna, Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise Foundation, Urban Poor Associates, Community Organizers Multiversity, Zone One Tondo Organization, Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lunsod, PHILSSA, Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Services, R-10 Navotas Alliance, Ugnayang Lakas ng mga Apektadong Pamilya sa Baybaying Ilog Pasig, Kabalikat-BASECO, SAPAR-South Rail, Manila Estero Informal Settlers Alliance, Samahan ng taga Estero Pasay, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Batilyo-Navotas, Malabon Brgy. Volunteers Assoc., Fair Trade Alliance, Women Health, Stop Laiban Dam Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Haydee Yorac Movement, PADAYON, Partido Manggagawa, Peace Foundation Inc., KABABAIHAN Pilipinas, SANLAKAS, FoodFirst Information and Action Network, MFDC,PEACE Foundation, Alliance of Rural Concerns

Pantranco compound residents pack up for demolition

03/28/2008 | 07:48 AM




32,000 shanties along Laguna de Bay shoreline to be demolished - LLDA

Media Advisory : People’s Forum on Hunger

Urban Rural Poor Solidarity

c/o Urban Poor Associates

25A Mabuhay Street, Brgy. Central, Quezon City 1100, Philippines

Tels. (+632) 426-4119 – 426-7615 Telefax (+632) 426-4118



Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY


People’s Forum on Hunger



It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the People’s Forum on Hunger to be held on March 28, 2008 (Friday), 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Conrado Benitez Hall, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) Building. PRRM is located at 56 Mother Ignacia Avenue corner Dr. Lazcano Street, Quezon City.



The forum is a synthesis of sectoral workshops on situations and recommendations as well as policy proposals to address the emerging food crisis.



Photo ops: Provided by farmers, fisherfolk, urban poor, labor and women’s groups.



P R O G R A M



9:00am - 9:05am Welcome Remarks



9:05am - 9:10am Overview & Objective of the Forum



9:10am - 9:40am Topic: Food Security Challenge the Global Perspective



9:40am - 10:10am Topic: Political Economy of the Philippines on Food Crisis



10:10am - 10:40am Topic : Critique of the Gov’t Hunger Mitigation Program



10:40am - 11:00am Break



11:00am - 12:00nn Panel of Reactor



12:00nn - 12:30pm Open Forum



12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch Break



1:30pm - 3:30pm Group Discussion



3:30pm - 5:00pm Plenary Report

Synthesis /Closing Remarks

Kalbaryo ng Maralita 2008 - Statement of the Poor

KALBARYO NG MARALITA 2008
March 18, 2008


STATEMENT OF THE POOR


Our Kalbaryo of the Urban and Rural Poor reminds all Filipinos that the sufferings of Jesus in His Passion and Death are repeated today in the poor. That is the message of the Kalbaryo. “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do unto me,” Jesus tells us in Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 25), where He is speaking of the hungry, homeless and persecuted.

The sufferings of Jesus were, as we know, scourging, crucifixion, carrying of the cross, a crown of thorns and a very painful death. Along the way he was mocked and insulted. The sufferings of the poor are: evictions, homelessness, hunger, landlessness, injustice, joblessness, lack of dignity and powerlessness. In God’s eyes they are one.

The poor will join with all who are willing to struggle to end corruption. We have more reason to do so than anyone else. In our country it is possible to trace a direct connection between the sins of the powerful and the sufferings of the poor. Corruption is the cause of hunger. The $130 million said to have gone to “commissions” and kickbacks in the ZTE/NBN affair could have doubled the food budget of our 25,000 Baseco and Parola poor families for three years.

Now they have P100/a day for food for a family of five. Barely enough to survive day to day. If they had the $130 million stolen by the corrupt they would have P200/a day for three years, which is enough for some rice, meat, fish, eggs, milk and healthy children.

We will work with all who want to share the wealth of the Philippines that God has given us among all His children and not just the powerful and well off.

We hope to unite among ourselves, urban and rural, fisherfolk, indigenous persons, and in a non-violent, democratic manner build a society of justice and prosperity for all. And in this way we hope to build the Church of the poor.

We ask for the cooperation of all groups in society who are so committed. We especially want the support of the Church and its cooperation. The Church has been our most dependable ally.

We believe there can be no solution to the country’s problems unless the poor, who are at least 50% of the population, are involved in the reform process. Can a patient be cured without his or her knowledge and cooperation?

The poor must be involved in all the phases of reform – in the planning, in the implementation and in the enjoyment of the good results of reform.

We thank everyone for coming. God bless us all.


URBAN and RURAL POOR SOLIDARITY

Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolition, Urban Poor Alliance, Pambansang Ugnayan ng mga Nagkakaisang Organisasyon sa Kanayunan, Sumilao Farmers, Task Force Mapalad, Kilusang Mangingisda, KAMMMPI, Mamamayan para sa Pagpapaunlad at Pagpapanatili ng Lawa ng Laguna, Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise Foundation, Urban Poor Associates, Community Organizers Multiversity, PHILSSA, PARRDS, R-10 Navotas Alliance, ULAP, Kabalikat-BASECO, SAPAR-South Rail, Manila Estero Informal Settlers Alliance, Samahan ng taga Estero Pasay, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Batilyo-Navotas, Malabon Brgy. Volunteers Asso., NLU-KAAKBAY, NLU-FTA, AIWA/PMA, Women Health, Stop Laiban Dam Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Haydee Yorac Movement, PADAYON, Partido Manggagawa



Some Issues of the Poor:

Urban Poor

· No Eviction without decent relocation
· Upgrade all proclaimed areas
· Increase fund and improve administration of the Community Mortgage Program and the Social Housing Finance Corporation


Rural Poor

· Extend coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program for another 10 years
· Harmonize land rights of farmers and indigenous people’s rights of ancestral domain
· Protect municipal fishers from trawlers
· Protect subsistent fishers and increase their incomes
· Give justice to Sumilao and Hacienda Yulo farmers
· Oppose large scale mining that harms the environment or violate rights of indigenous communities.

MEDIA ADVISORY: KALBARYO NG MARALITA 2008

Attention: News Editor, News Desk, Reporters and Photojournalists

MEDIA ADVISORY

KALBARYO NG MARALITA 2008

KATOTOHANAN KATARUNGAN PANANAGUTAN PAGBABAGO

In observance of the Holy Week, the urban poor are celebrating their annual “Kalbaryo ng Maralita” on March 18 (Tuesday) and this year it is done in partnership with farmers, fisherfolks, indigenous people, formal and informal labor groups.

The Kalbaryo reminds Philippine society that the suffering of Jesus in His Passion and death are repeated today in the suffering imposed on the poor by forced evictions, homelessness, hunger, landlessness, injustice, joblessness, lack of dignity and powerlessness. “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do unto me” (Mt. 25)

The Kalbaryo will begin at the Philippine National Railway (PNR) España Station (just South of España Ave.) and end with Mass at San Sebastian Church with Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and priests at about 12:00 noon.

Over 1,200 poor people from different parts of Metro Manila and farmers, including those from Sumilao, Bukidnon and the Yulo estate in Laguna will gather at the railroad station at 8:00 AM and march towards Loreto Church, Mendiola and San Sebastian Church, following the traditional stations as they go.

The Kalbaryo will begin on the railroad tracks to remind everyone over 100,000 families have been or will be evicted from the railroad right of way from Clark Field to Calamba to prepare for the Northrail and Southrail Projects. Many have not received decent relocation.

Urban poor issues are contained in the CBCP Pastoral Statement on Homelessness of January 2007, namely, forced evictions, upgrading of urban poor areas and funding for Community Mortgage Program and other programs that help the urban poor. Farmer issues include continuation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) with reforms, and justice in special cases, for example, Sumilao and Hacienda Yulo.

Photo ops: The procession will be led by 7 men bearing the crosses of the poor families. There will be photo ops at the Stations of the Cross along the way.

Date: March 18, 2008 (Tuesday)

Time: Gather at 8:00 AM

Assembly point: Philippine National Railway (PNR) Station, España Avenue


URBAN and RURAL POOR SOLIDARITY

Task Force Anti-Illegal Demolition, Urban Poor Alliance, Pambansang Ugnayan ng mga Nagkakaisang Organisasyon sa Kanayunan, Sumilao Farmers, Task Force Mapalad, Kilusang Mangingisda, KAMMMPI, Mamamayan para sa Pagpapaunlad at Pagpapanatili ng Lawa ng Laguna, Community Organization of the Philippine Enterprise Foundation, Urban Poor Associates, Community Organizers Multiversity, PHILSSA, PARRDS, R-10 Navotas Alliance, ULAP, Kabalikat-BASECO, SAPAR-South Rail, Manila Estero Informal Settlers Alliance, Samahan ng taga Estero Pasay, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Batilyo-Navotas, Malabon Brgy. Volunteers Asso., NLU-KAAKBAY, NLU-FTA, AIWA/PMA, Women Health, Stop Laiban Dam Coalition, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Haydee Yorac Movement, PADAYON, Partido Manggagawa