Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) – Some 24,000 people illegally occupying government housing units were saved from eviction on Monday, after a dialogue between the group and the National Housing Authority (NHA).
After three hours of a closed-door dialogue, the NHA and the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) agreed that the families from their group could stay in the 5,918 resettlement units in Pandi, Bulacan. The houses were originally intended for low-income members of law enforcement units.
“As a matter of policy, more than a need, housing is also a right,” said NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada.
Tensions ran high for a week as the NHA issued eviction notices on March 20 to the informal settlers, and requested the assistance of the Philippine National Police in the eviction, which was to have taken place Monday. The members of Kadamay barricaded their homes anticipating the forced move.
Read more: KADAMAY members to fight eviction from Bulacan housing units
But Escalada agreed to pull out the military and police forces manning the area until the houses are awarded to previously selected members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau of Fire Protection, for whom the units were intended.
“Hinihiling po namin talaga na kailangang hindi ho talaga mangyayari yung eviction, dapat po hindi nila i-implement ‘to,” Kadamay chairman Gloria Arellano said.
[Translation: We were hoping that the eviction wouldn’t happen, they shouldn’t implement it.]
Housing applicants to be screened
NHA will seek help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to validate the members of Kadamay who say they are in need of housing.
Members of Kadamay that are occupying the units and wish to stay have to prove their eligibility by April 3.
The NHA will meet with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Housing Board on May 30 to vet a final list of its claimants from the military. Those who do not claim the units awarded to them will still be eligible to apply for housing in future government projects.
Units that are unclaimed will be processed by the NHA for awarding to the occupant from Kadamay, according to the guidelines agreed on by NHA and Kadamay.
“Dapat po ‘yung patakaran ng NHA nag-a-adjust din po naman, dahil matagal na po ‘yung mga programa ng NHA pero nanatiling ganoon pa rin ‘yung kanilang mga programa. May mga dapat baguhin,” Arellano said.
[Translation: NHA’s policies should adjust, because its programs have stayed that way for so long. There should be amendments.]
Ariel Casilao of the Makabayan bloc in congress said that they would talk to President Rodrigo Duterte about anomalies in the housing project, and suggest that the unoccupied units be legally awarded to the informal settlers now in the area.
“Aantayin po natin ‘yung 2018 budget na isusumite ng NHA para sa kauna-unahang housing program sa ilalim ng Duterte administration na kung saan naka-allot na po ‘yung 50,000 informal settlers na walk-in, at magdadagdag pa para doon sa madadagdag na mga informal settlers,” Casilao said.
[Translation: We will wait for the 2018 budget to be submitted by the NHA for Duterte administration’s first housing program, where 50,000 informal settlers can have walk-ins for housing allocation. And we will account the addition of more informal settlers who may avail.]
There are 1.5 million Filipino families, or 15 percent of the total urban population who live in informal settlements, according to the NHA.
As of 2011, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported a backlog of 1.225 million housing units in the Philippines which could potentially shelter 6.3 million households.
CNN Philippines’ researcher Ella Hermonio contributed to this report.
