Due to a wall being built by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) in South Ville 3, one of the communities in New Bilibid Prison (NBP) land in Muntinlupa, residents now traverse Biazon Road which is a long way to get to the city proper. The wall will partition an area in the NBP property for privatization.
Meanwhile, a community once again rose at the right side of Biazon road.
In February 2021, BuCor decided to use Biazon road as a relocation site for more than 1,300 individuals who came from several neighborhoods in NBP. Their homes were built on land the BuCor claimed for privatization purposes following the agency’s Master Development Plan in the area.
According to Kalipunan ng Mamamayan na Pinagkaisa sa NBP Inc. (KAMPINA), the residents were forced to leave and self-demolish their houses amid incessant intimidation from BuCor.
“Umabot na sa mahigit 100 beses na pagbabanta at aktwal na madudugo’t brutal na demolisyon ang nilabanan naming mga maralitang mamamayan sa NBP,” KAMPINA said in a statement.
[More than 100 demolition threats and an actual bloody and brutal demolition had been opposed by the toiling urban poor residents of NBP.]
It was in 1996 when residents first occupied the 41-long hectare parcel in NBP land. However, according to residents, the continuing harassment and intimidation by BuCor personnel constantly drove scores of them away.
KAMPINA added that BuCor may have offered Biazon Road for relocation, however, it would only be a staging area.
Typhoon Fabian onslaught
When Typhoon Fabian and the monsoon rain showers hit the country on July 20, Biazon Road community was covered with mud.
There were no concrete pathways to get to the 25-sqm houses of the resident. They had needed to create their way in a wide expanse of field even before the storm’s aftermath made their situation more difficult.
Biazon community
The majority of the houses are still being developed. In a span of five months, Phases 1 to 4 of Biazon community were built. Currently, some land parcels have yet to be leveled but already have markings for a 25-sqm housing unit intended for a single-family.
Submeters were provided for electric supply. The residents complained about the P55 per container drum cost of water, as there are yet to be water lines supplying directly to each home in Biazon road community.
But the residents could not feel secure in their tenure in Biazon.
“Hindi talaga titigil ang intimidasyon ng BuCor sa mga residente, kahit pa malipat sa Biazon. Kaya kailangan talaga naming maglakas-loob na tumindig para sa katiyakan sa pamamahay,” KAMPINA president Bella Diaz said.
[BuCor would not stop intimidating the residents, even if they have been relocated to Biazon. This means we need to be brave to stand for our housing security.]
Early on July 23, KAMPINA led an action protest at NBP’s main gate to reiterate their call for a moratorium to stop the demolition of homes during the pandemic. Protesters also lambasted BuCor’s Master Development Plan that will lead to privatization of the NBP reservation area in the name of profit and at the expense of the lives of many long-time residents.
