Urban Poor - Workforce and Citizens

PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER November 3, 2009, page 4 one-whole page ad signed by 38 individuals

URBAN POOR - WORKFORCE AND CITIZENS

OCTOBER 2009

“As he (Jesus) drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes’” (Lk 19:42)

Urban poor people are blamed for the floods caused by typhoon Ondoy. Government officials demand they be prohibited from moving back to their homes along the rivers and esteros. The president has said that in the makeover of Metro Manila we must “rid the city” of informal settlers as if they were vermin.

There is no scientific basis proposed for such violent actions. Loggers in the Sierra Madre and developers may be more guilty. We may evict 80,000 families from the waterways at great expense and suffering only to find in 20 years the floods are back and stronger than ever. There must be a rock solid scientific reason to disrupt the lives of 400,000 persons.

Riverbank and lakeside dwellers will not insist on returning to their homes if they are offered in-city relocation near their jobs and the children’s schools.

The poor were affected that fateful Saturday (Sept. 26)just as the middle-class people. Unlike the middle-class, however, the poor had no place to go except back to their homes by the waterways.

Distant relocation is not the answer as there are usually no jobs available in the far away sites. Jobs are basic: without regular income the people will be hungry and soon return.

Let us move into 21st century thinking by making Metro Manila and our other cities inclusive ones that integrate the urban poor into their midst rather than force them into illegality on degraded sites. These diminish their humanity and serve as constant reminders of social injustices perpetuated by “the only Christian country in Asia.”

We call for a serious examination of the causes of the floods. Can it not be done by the Senate? What, if any, was the role of the poor? Who is really to blame?

We call for both public and idle private land near the riverbanks to be identified and set aside for riverbank and lakeside settlement, negotiated by government for temporary social housing use until it can identify and prepare permanent social housing sites for them in the city. We believe, however, on-site upgrading is the best solution.

We also call for a serious re-examination of our current unjust and inefficient land use patterns and a serious look at the implications of urbanization for all Filipinos, especially the poorer citizenry.

It is time to initiate humane and effective approaches that will enable our urban poor workforce to remain in the city, enjoy their rights as Filipino citizens, and help realize a vibrant, competitive, humane and inclusive Asian city.

Teodoro K. Katigbak	Bishop Broderick Pabillo, D.D
Former Chairperson, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council	Philippine Misereor Partnership; TWG on Housing and Urban Livability
Arch. Manny Mañosa	Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, D.D
Planning Resources and Operational Systems, Inc. (PROS)	Bishop Eemeritus, Prelature of Infanta, Quezon
Fr. Roberto Reyes	Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, D.D
Urban Poor Associates	Diocese of Malolos
Mayor Jesse M. Robledo	Sr. Ma. Aida Velasquez, OSB
Mayor of Naga City, Magsaysay Awardee	Lingkod-Tao Kalikasan
Tomas R. Osmeña	Anson Garcia
Mayor of Cebu City	SALIGAN
Florencio Abad	Sr. Victricia pascasio, SSpS
Former Secretary of DAR Department of Education	Missionary Sisters Servant of the Holy Spirit
Hilario Davide	Sr. Angie Jamola, FMM
Liberal Party Ceby Coordinator	Franciscan Missionary of Mary
Leila M. de Lima	Sr. Glocar Eamiguel, FMM
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights	Franciscan Missionary of Mary
Congressman Raul del Mar	Erma Cordero-Ramos
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives	Pagtambayoyong Foundation
Congressman Cresente Paez	Jacque dela Peña
COOP-NATCCO Party List Representative	Kaabag sa Sugbo
Congressman Leonardo Montemayor	Benedict Balderama
ABA-AKO Party List Representative	PHILSSA
Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros	Arturo Nuera
AKBAYAN Party List Representative	CMP Congress
Dr. Mary Aracelis	Moslemin Abas
Ateneo, Institute on Philippine Culture	CO Multiversity - Mindanao
Fr. John J. Carroll, S. J.	Dennis & Alicia Murphy
John J. Carroll Institute on Chuch and Social Issues	Urban Poor Associates
Professor Ernesto M. Serote	Emiel and Madeleen Wegelin
University of the Philippines	CDIA, GTZ, ADB
Fr. Jorge Anzorena, S. J.	Liliana Marulanda
Architect and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee 1994 (Japan)	Urban Planner - Columbia
Architect Somsook Boonyabancha	Gloria Alcuaz
Asian Coalitionfor Housing Rights (Thailand & Asia)	Kubol Pag-asa
Architect Kirtee Shah	Fr. Archie Casey, SX
Habitat Forum & Ahmedabad Study Action Group (India)	Association of Major Religious Superios of the Phils
Architect Gregor Meerpohl	Francisco L. Fernandez
Urban Development Consultancy (Germany)	Cebu City Administrator