Exactly a month before Christmas and a month after homeless residents from East Bank Manggahan Floodway in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig mounted their ‘homeless camp’ at the gate of Malacañang Palace, members of Balikwas Kadamay held a protest rally in Mendiola today to slam the inaction of President Duterte to their demands.
In the rally, the group unveiled a 12-foot ‘Krisis-mas’ tree effigy that depicted various economic hardships and issues being suffered by poor Filipinos under the Duterte administration, including homelessness, hunger and poverty among others.
A symbolic ceremonial lighting of the tree effigy was also held to mark in preparation for their homeless dinner and concert tonight.
In between the day-long activities, a discussion on violence against women and children (VAWC) was also held in the camp as part of the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of VAW (IDEVAW). Facilitators of the discussion said that homelessness and poverty were considered two of the worst forms of VAW as it opens women and children to more vulnerabilities and abuses.
“In the spirit of Christmas, we wish President Duterte will lend us his ears and open his heart for homeless and poor Filipinos demanding him to give us homes,” said Rudy Villareal, president of Balikwas Kadamay.
He added, “For over a month now, we heard nothing from the Palace considering that our campout is just a stone’s throw from Duterte’s seat of power.”
Balikwas Kadamay also decried the recent threat they received from a reliable source that a dispersal of their homeless camp is set on Monday, November 27.
The group said that instead of providing them their needs, the government seemed to find it more convenient to quell dissent or people’s legitimate actions to the sufferings they face.
Villareal said that they are set to defend their camp against the said threat.
They also said that they would not leave Mendiola until the Duterte government can offer a significant and favorable response to their legitimate demands even beyond Christmas.
