After four houses last week in Pook Malinis, two houses in Village C were demolished by blue guards this afternoon as part of the UP Master Development Plan (UP MDP).
The demolished houses belong to some families relocated to Pook Marilag with poorly-built housing. Relocated residents are also forced to pay amid uncertainties in employment and concrete plans for permanent in-city relocation.
Residents from Village C previously secured a dialogue with the UP administration, registering their demands for a set of concrete plans and defending their community from demolition. In spite of this, constant threats of and today’s demolition in Village C continue to affect the lives of the residents.
Nagkakaisang Residente ng Village C reports that the UP Office of Community Relations (UP OCR) stated that residents will be dislodged from their homes starting this June for the construction of the UP Staff and Faculty Housing.
Two houses were also demolished in Pook Malinis which affected no less than 6 families last May 29, Saturday. Communities continue to resound the calls in defense of their homes however, UP MDP asserts their right to displace residents in the community in pursuit of their plans of commercialization within the campus.
UP Kilos Na Multisectoral Alliance echoes the communities’ demands to 1) halt the demolitions amid the pandemic, 2) abolish inhumane restrictions in housing, 3) stop the intimidation and harassment on residents, and 4) have the UP administration lay out its plans for its land assets and to completely stop demolitions and commercialization of the university.
In a statement, NAREVC said, “Tumitindig ang mga nagkakaisang residente na tutulan ang anumang porma ng pagpapaalis o demolisyon hangga’t nananatiling huwad ang mga plano ng UP Admin para sa karapatan sa pabahay.”
Tomorrow, the UP community will protest as the UP Board of Regents meet in Quezon Hall. Afterwards, Village C residents will launch a barikadang bayan to resist impending plans of demolition in the area.
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Due to their quick response rally, residents were able to pre-empt the demolition of another house today.
This year, President Duterte rescinded an executive order banning all demolition activities during the pandemic. Last month, a demolition was attempted in Brgy. San Vicente causing the arrest of an urban poor leader.
Featured Images courtesy of Allanes Oceans.
