MANILA, Philippines鈥擴rban poor groups gathered in front of the Supreme Court Friday to call for a speedy, favorable decision that will protect them against impending demolition.
Carlito Badion, lead convenor of Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon said that around 50 people from their group gathered at the Supreme Court to ask for a favorable ruling on several demolition issues, including having a 鈥渄ecent鈥� relocation for them.
Badion 聽said that he has been residing in a 聽relocation site in Montalban, Rizal for about 12 years now and has experienced various difficulties there.
鈥淲alang kabuhayan at napaka-hirap ng kuryente at tubig,鈥� he said.
Badion said that areas with standing demolition orders include Pangarap Village in Caloocan City, Quezon City Central Business District, San Juan, and Welfare Ville compound in Mandaluyong City.
He said that not less than 8,000 families in Metro Manila alone have been displaced under the Aquino government.
Badion said that the Urban Development and Housing Act, which is supposed to protect everybody鈥檚 right for a 鈥渄ecent home鈥� works otherwise as it is what the government uses to boot them out of their homes.