500 Kadamay members storm National Housing Authority

MANILA, Philippines — Close to 500 members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) staged a rally in front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) office in Quezon City yesterday. 

Superintendent Cipriano Galania, Anonas police station commander, said the protesters “knocked” on the NHA gates using rocks but no untoward incident happened during the rally, which started at around 11:25 a.m. and ended at around 12:40 p.m.

Gloria Arellano, Kadamay national chairperson, said that under the Duterte administration, the NHA implements a “housing as business scheme.”

“It is frustrating that the government is doing nothing at all to help us. Our leaders’ priority is doing business. For them, what is important is to focus on their ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, the one that can make money for them,” Arellano said in an interview. 

Among those who joined the protest are members who occupied mass housing units in Pandi, Bulacan and Montalban, Rizal as well as those who are being threatened with eviction from their communities in Metro Manila.

Almost two years after occupying these housing projects, Kadamay members are still waiting for approval from the NHA for titles to their units and the direct supply of electricity and water.

“Until now, they haven’t received any form of help or assistance from the government,” Arellano said, adding that no one from the NHAhas ever reached out to engage them in a dialogue.

She said yesterday’s protest will just be the first to be staged this year by the group. – With Romina Cabrera