KADAMAY calls for nationwide protests for distribution of idle units to homeless

Calls on lawmakers to investigate housing programs and past administration

News Release

4/8/2017

Reference: Michael Beltran 09554571061, Carlito Badion, Secretary General 09283508777

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap announced today that it is coordinating with all its formations nationwide
to hold various demonstrations calling for the distribution of all idle housing units in the country to the needy
and homeless. They said that regional offices of the National Housing Authority should open its doors to
people who are in dire need of housing and freely distribute idle homes to them. The group also mentioned that
instead of proceeding with demolitions and evictions in the country, the government should develop these
communities and do away with failed housing policies.

There are millions of Filipinos without a home or are under threat of demolitions. Throughout the country
there are idle homes spread across numerous housing projects merely deteriorating in communities with little
access to basic utilities. No wonder there are so many vacant. This is something we already know and can
change. KADAMAY will conduct organized efforts nationwide to push the NHA and the Duterte
administration to distribute idle housing to the poor as an immediate source of relief to those who need it
most, said Gloria Ka Bea Arellano.

KADAMAY reiterated that it has been a national formation of chapters and associations since 1998 and
consistently fought not only for housing rights but for the welfare of the urban poor in general.

There are already 61 relocation sites in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces alone, each with their own set
of idle homes. Even the NHA has yet to determine how many are vacant, apart from the 53,000 idle units built
specifically for uniformed personnel. KADAMAY estimates that the total number nationwide is in the hundred
thousands, Fifty three thousand na bakante sa PNP/AFP housing palang, paano pa kaya iyung bilang ng
informal settler family (ISF) housing na pinatayo sa buong bansa? Dapat libre nang ipamahagi kaysa
nakatiwangwang. Hirap na hirap na ang maralita, kaya nababakante kasi hindi kayang bayaran, said Arellano.

KADAMAY called out certain senators for their baseless accusations. They pointed out the irony of Senator
Trillanes tirades as he in particular launched his career by failing to occupy a fancy hotel. The group says that
it would be more beneficial to all concerned if they investigated the Aquino administration for allowing
taxpayers money go to waste and craft better housing policies for the future.

Trillanes in particular is using the occupation to attack the Presidents pronouncement regarding Bulacan and
advance his crazed political agenda. Meantime, he himself has done nothing to uplift the conditions of the poor
and homeless. The lessons of the unraveled housing crisis should be a guide to policymakers in reaching the
5.5 million housing backlog. Our housing laws are unjust and anti-poor. They shouldnt have been passed in
the first place and shouldnt be allowed to continue, explained Arellano.

The group thanked all the support it has received from various groups and personalities who recognized the
injustice the urban poor face. Atom Araullo made a particular good remark no facebook by saying I think
some people have to be reminded that what is legal is not necessarily just. KADAMAY extended an invitation
to all those who have an open heart and mind to come and learn with the occupants in Pandi. Come to our
communities and learn from the hardships, struggles and aspirations of ordinary folk. See and feel even for a
moment the desperation left with little or nothing to move your life forward,We are trying to build
better communities in the occupied areas, not simply acquiring housing said Arellano. ###
Quick Facts

April 2017

On Homelessness and #OccupyPabahay

-Magnitude of Informal Settler Families: 1,502,336 (NHA, 2015)

-According to List25.com in 2014, Metro Manila has the world largest homeless
population. NHA lists the ISFs in NCR at 584, 425.

-Current housing backlog: 5.56 million

-Annual growth rate of slums: 3.4%

-According to PCUP, a low cost government housing unit costs 3.8 times the yearly income of a
minimum wage earner.

-During the Aquino administration, 1.2 million Filipinos were displaced/demolished/evicted.

-1.3 million Filipino families are already unable to meet their basic food needs according to the
Philippine Statistics Authority. How do we expect them to pay for costly public housing
programs?

Poor are made to shoulder cost of Housing units

-Cost of Construction and land development: P240,000

-Minus subsidy (35,000), total principal loan: 205,000

-Nominal Amount to be paid: 345 to 420,000 with 6% compounded interest.

-Despite the amortization scheme to be paid over 30 years, the supposed cost of low cost
housing is still to much.

-Moreover the burden is invariably passed on to beneficiaries

On Possibility of Mass Housing

-Venezuela is a good example for mass housing. In 2016, 1.5 million housing units were freely
distributed to the poor.

-The Great Housing Mission program is set to continue until 2019 to reach eradicate the 3
million housing backlog.

-Housing for the poorest of the poor is FREE and with minimal costs to those better off.
Tandang Sora 41

-Residents of Apolllo, Tandang Sora were demolished days before President Dutertes
inauguration, they were around 300 families.

-The Quezon City Hall tagged the area as a Fire Hazard and was subsequently torn down. The
area has never had a fire in the residents 30 plus year stay.

-Their belongings were looted, homes destroyed and the entrance to their compound was blocked
and guarded by armed men.

-The compound/land has been contested with claimant Reynaldo Giuab having lost in court to
the residents twice in the past.

-Demolished, they erected makeshift homes and shanties near the site of their former homes.
They stayed there for more than nine months.

-The MMDA threatened them with evictions from the roadside set on the first week of April.

-60 were subsequently arrested on April 3 after they re-occupied the area. 17 were minors and 8
elderly. The eldest is 83.

-They were charged with grave coercion and trespassing. The bail is set at P14,000 for each
homeless person.