Informal settlers refuse to leave QC, Parañaque homes

MANILA, Philippines - Two communities of informal settlers have expressed their readiness to fight the demolition of their homes.

Reports said residents in Tucuma Community in Paranaque and the Dona Nicasia compound in Commonwealth, Quezon City said they would not leave their homes as the government has yet to inform them of any relocation plans.

In a separate statement, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), an urban poor group, said the demolition of residents in Dona Nicasia means the demolition of their homes as well as the place of their source of livelihood.

Task Force for the Control, Prevention and Removal of Illegal Structures and Squatters (TF COPRISS), an agency led by Mayor Herbert Bautista's Secretary Taddy Palma sent the residents 30-day notice of eviction dated March 26. The deadline lapses today.

"All of the 60 families affected by the planned demolition earn their living by cleaning up waste materials in a creek near their area, which is popularly called 'Plastikan.' The residents complain of losing their only source of livelihood if the government evicts them from the community which they have inhabited in the past three decades," Kadamay said.

A demolition at the Silverio compound in Paranaque on Monday turned violent and bloody and led to the death of one resident.