Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano on Monday, June 2, urged his fellow lawmakers to investigate the demolition in Mayhaligue, Tondo a week ago as he questioned the way it was conducted.
At A Glance
- Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano on Monday, June 2, urged his fellow lawmakers to investigate the demolition in Mayhaligue, Tondo a week ago as he questioned the way it was conducted.
Valeriano, in his privilege speech, pushed for a congressional inquiry into the incident, as he claimed that those who carried out the demolition did not get any clearance from the Presidential Committee on Urban Poor in line with Republic Act (RA) No. 7279 or the Comprehensive and Continuing Urban Development Housing Program, as well as a presidential order tasking the Urban Poor Commission to conduct the clearing operations.
The lawmaker also noted the huge number of armed personnel that were deployed when a standoff between the residents and the demolition team occurred.
He said it looked as "if there was a war".
The houses of about 400 families in Mayhaligue were supposed to be demolished as early as May 26. But residents, who Valeriano said have been living in the area for as long as 70 years, blocked the demolition team, leading to a standoff.
Valeriano said his call was not about supporting illegal occupation of private properties, but about social justice and due process.
“Hindi natin pwedeng tratuhin na parang basura lang ang buhay at pangarap nila (We cannot treat them as if their lives and their dreams are garbage)," he said.
"May mga umiiral na batas para tiyaking makatao at patas ang proseso ng relokasyon. Ang problema, klarong di nasunod ang mga batas na iyon sa kasong ito (There are existing laws to ensure a fair process of relocation. The problem there is that, the law is not followed)," he added.