The urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) urged the Marcos administration to stop the evictions and implement a comprehensive housing program before the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
KADAMAY said the recent classification of the Philippines as a middle-class economy by the World Bank does not reflect the realities of poor communities, asserting that many families continue to struggle due to rising prices, unstable employment, and limited access to health care, education, water and electricity.
The organization said that the bad economic situation is accompanied by the demolition and displacement of people from their places as the government cleans up the communities with infrastructure and development plans. It cited threats of demolition of houses in Malantic in UP Diliman, Mayhaligue in Manila, and fire-affected communities in Parola, Manila, and residents displaced by the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli (PBBM).
“Our government does not have a real housing plan to deal with the housing backlog in the country. The current plan seems to cater to the rich rather than providing affordable housing to the poor,” said KADAMAY Secretary General Eufemia Doringo during the group’s State of the Urban Poor forum.
He added that the government’s 4PH housing program shifts the responsibility for public housing to private developers instead of directly responding to the needs of low-income families.
Ms Doringo said resettlement often forces families to move away from sources of income and social services, making it difficult to rebuild their lives after being displaced.
“Transportation areas are far from human communities, far from health services, our children’s schools, water, electricity, and most importantly, their health,” she said.
He added that many of the beneficiaries ended up leaving the estates because they could not afford the housing while trying to meet the daily needs of their families.
“Before families pay for houses, they must first put food on the table, make a living, pay for the fare to work, and send the children to school,” said Ms. Doringo.
The organization also questioned the government’s housing construction policies, saying that the beneficiaries of the relocation are faced with documentary requirements and continuous money even though they are considered as low-income households. It added that these financial obligations undermine the affordability of public housing.
“Our request is for a comprehensive housing program because housing is a basic right. The families relocated to government housing must find a means of livelihood and basic needs,” said Ms. Doringo.
KADAMAY said that this year the State of the Urban Poor aims to expose what he described as the continued attack on the poor communities in the cities, to deepen public understanding of their situation under the Marcos administration, and to strengthen the call for the construction of decent, affordable, and people-oriented housing at the national level.
The organization said it also wants to unite communities affected by demolitions and forced evictions in a broad campaign for housing rights before the President’s SONA.
At its forum on July 24, residents shared their experiences and discussed proposals to find housing, protect their livelihoods, and increase access to basic public services.
Calling for wider public support, Ms Doringo urged poor urban communities to continue organizing beyond SONA.
“We ask all poor urban communities to unite, raise our voices and fight for our right to get housing. No matter what the government does, the urban poor now know that the truth is there, and we will not back down,” he said. He added that KADAMAY will continue to hold monthly State of the Urban Poor activities to highlight issues that affect low-income communities, including rising prices of food, electricity, water, and fuel. – Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba
