On June 8, residents of Purok R10, Barangay North Boulevard Bay North in Navotas City formed a human barricade to protect their homes against the ongoing demolition.
The planned demolition is part of the road widening project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The said government office plans to extend the highway currently occupied by the homes of an estimated 1,500 families.
A relocation site in Pandi, Bulacan is offered by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to families affected by the demolition.
As of June 4, 222 families have been relocated, according to the NHA.
In an interview, R10 NBBN Neighborhood Association President Elgar Comista finds the Pandi, Bulacan relocation site offered by government unacceptable because it is far from their livelihood and basic social services.
“There is no livelihood there. In fact, those who have already agreed to be relocated came back, and just erected shanties again here near the fishport. In the relocation site there is no livelihood, no water, no electricity,” said Cornista.
At noon, negotiations were held between the leaders of NLMNFI, the National Housing Authority, Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor and the Philippine National Police. Parties agreed that houses in Baron, Lichangco and Pescador streets would not be subjected to demolition.
According to urban poor advocates group Kadamay, under the Aquino administration, at least 70,000 families have had their homes demolished to give way to different PPP projects. Among them are the communities in Navotas City near the fishport.
