Urban poor groups storm DILG, PNoy's home in QC

MANILA, Philippines - Various urban poor groups on Thursday marched to the Department of Interior and Local Government office and President Benigno Aquino III's house in Quezon City to protest the dislocation of informal settlers to off-city relocation sites.

Led by residents of North Triangle, Quezon City and Bignay, Valenzuela City, the protesters stormed the DILG office and the President's house on Times Street.

The protesters said the DILG earlier promised urban poor residents an on-site relocation, especially for those living along waterways in Metro Manila.

The groups have been lobbying against the off-city relocations offered by the national government, citing the lack of basic social services and employment opportunities in the far-flung housing sites.

Carlito Badion, national secretary-general of Kadamay, said the government's promise turned out to be futile after it announced that settlers, particularly those living along waterways, are being given an ultimatum to leave their homes.

The affected residents are also being awarded with P18,000 financial assistance as part of the off-city relocation package.

Badion’s group challenged the DILG to show proof of its plan to build in-city, if not near-site, housing for those affected by the massive demolition in Metro Manila.

Kadamay cited the case of BistekVille, an in-city housing program of the Quezon City government. The group claims that the urban poor and unemployed residents of the city have yet to benefit from the program.

Kadamay members also marched to Times Street in protest of the silence of Malacañang amidst the demolition of their communities in the metropolis.