1.4M Pinoy families are ‘squatters’

MANILA, Philippines –  An estimated 1.4 million poor Filipino families nationwide are considered as informal settlers, and some 70,450 of them facing eviction.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said in a statement that the government should impose moratorium in the demolition of squatters.

Mariano filed House Resolution 2204 to protect thousands of urban poor families from violent attacks pending provisions of adequate housing, livelihood and social services.

“The Philippines has been named by the International Human Rights Organization Centre on Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE) as one of the world’s housing rights violators,” Mariano said.

Mariano cited the demolition in barangay Corazon de Jesus, San Juan, where some 23 residents were injured on January 11, 2012.

He also said that those who are still facing eviction are some 70,450 families residing in the BIR Road Barangay Central, Scout Tuazon, South Triangle, Barangays Commonwealth, Payatas, Batasan Road, holy Spirit, Bagong Pag-Asa in Quezon City; Pangarap Village in North Caloocan city, Welfareville, Mandaluyong; and Freedom island, Las Pinas, Paranaque.

Mariano said the people affected by demolition in the provinces are the Irishville, Subdivision, Baguio City; Barangay Patukan, and Mahinga Creek, Cebu City; Barangay Soliman, Davao City; Barangay Nabitasan, Iloilo City; and Barangay San Roque, Tarlac City.

According to Mariano, among the issues that were raised by the people in the resettlement areas were the absence of accessible employment opportunities, inadquate supply of water and electricity, distance from school and health facilities, and defective housing structures.

Mariano said Republic Act 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 has been criticized by the people as “business-venture like and self-sufficient enterprise predicated on cost-recovery, instead of opearting as a genuine social service.” Cheryl M. Arcibal, The Philippine Star