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Eviction watchdog slams MMDA for demolition drive

10/21/2007

An eviction watchdog has scored the continuing demolition drive of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) despite the one-month moratorium agreed upon at a recent hearing before the Senate committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement.

The Urban Poor Association (UPA) pointed to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando as the one who violated his promise to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Rodolfo Biazon to stop demolitions as they only render poor families homeless.

“The MMDA should change its name to Metro Manila Demolition Abuses. For this year alone, it has displaced thousands of poor families more than a major disaster can do,” Ted Anana, deputy coordinator of UPA, said.

“Aside from doing unlawful demolitions, the MMDA has perfected its propaganda of lies against urban poor just to justify its inhumane actions. In fact, the MMDA wanted to get rid of all informal settlers but it has never relocated a single family contrary to its press statements,” Anana added. “Imagine this, without all these so-called eyesores, more than half of the population of Metro Manila will be homeless.”

According to UPA, the impact of forced evictions is almost always severe for the victims.

This can include physical and mental trauma, homelessness, loss of wealth and assets in the form of dwellings and personal goods, loss of livelihood or employment, declining standards of health and education and the destruction of community bonds.

Some residents living along Estero Tripa de Gallina in Pasay City were hurt yesterday as the MMDA dismantled the homes of more than 100 informal settlers.

Diana de la Torre, a 36-year-old widow and mother of 3, tried to stop the demolition team by pleading to them to give her time to pack up her things.

The MMDA, however, went ahead and started tearing down her house despite her pleadings.

De la Torre, who works as a scavenger, said she is now cleaning a sidewalk so that they will have a place to sleep in.

She added they were surprised by the MMDA since there is a one-month moratorium on demolition.

Under international human rights law, the practice of forced evictions is considered as a gross violation of human rights, in particular the right to adequate housing.

Ben Gines Jr.