“The present leadership of the various shelter agencies appears to be unable to veer away from “the long and bloody record of past administrations of flushing out so-called informal settlers from their communities to make way for big-ticket business or infrastructure projects usually under the pretext of development, city decongestion or even public safety.” – Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao
Tags: Urban Poor
Poor people are losing their homes everywhere
For two days recently, violent clashes broke out between the police and informal settlers resisting the demolition of their homes (about 100 families) in a privately claimed lot in Culiat, Quezon City. These were but the latest of similar scenes in the metropolis and elsewhere in the country. Demolition – or the threat of it…
How a banana in water gave me a new view of the urban poor
By BETTINA CATLI Bulatlat.com When I first heard that we were to attend an urban poor situationer, my first thought was, what is there to talk about? In my head, it was pretty clear what the situation was. I was remembering the crooked and dilapidated shanties, dirty-faced children running naked, and the occasional loud voices,…
Relocation sites: the land of empty promises in the middle of nowhere
From Luzon to Mindanao, urban poor relocatees tell stories of hunger, worsening poverty and desperation.
Sinementong tahanan
Ni JOMAR GONZALES ADAYA Bulatlat.com umatake ang mga makina doon sa dagat ng mga kalawanging yerong silungan ng mga panis na pangarap: walang palag ang sahig sa pagkayod ng kamay ng backhoe: may hinuhukay walang imik ang pader sa pagngasab ng pangil ng buldoser: may ginigiba walang reklamo ang lupa sa paggulong ng solidong pison:…
A choice between fighting for their homes or living in neglected relocation sites
The relocation site for urban poor families living along Road 10, North Harbor is right in the middle of a rice field. The houses are poorly constructed with no electricity, water supply; and there are no livelihood opportunities.
Displaced
By LUIS V. TEODORO Vantage Point | BusinessWorld The Aquino administration has declared as non-negotiable the relocation of some 20,000 non-formal settler families living along metro Manila’s waterways by the end of this year, and of 100,000 others by the end of Mr. Aquino’s term in 2016. The decision comes in the aftermath of the…
In 2012, urban poor jailed, killed for fighting for homes
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – Eight months have passed since Arnel Leonor, 19, of Silverio Compound in Parañaque City, was killed during the demolition of their homes. As of this writing, no justice has been served and his mother Glenda feels it is taking too long. Eight months, too, have passed since…
‘Puso ng Lungsod’ (Heart of the city) documents life of the urban poor
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – Pinoy Media Center released its newest documentary on the lives and struggles of urban poor communities in the Philippines. “In this video, you would see how the divide-and-rule tactic is being used against the residents. But you will also see how they manage and how they are…
Urban poor to experience Christmas as ordinary day spent in poverty
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
According to the Center for Women’s Resources, from October 2010 to October the prices of many, if not all, commodities increased substantially.
Demolisyon
Video: Demolisyon