Running priest: QC demolition shows govt's ‘pro-rich’ stance

An order from President Benigno Aquino III may have temporarily stopped the demolition of an entire community of 9,000 families in North Triangle in Quezon City, but it failed to halt criticisms from a Catholic priest known for his activism. Fr. Roberto Reyes, known as the “running priest" for his protest runs in support of a wide range of social issues, said the North Triangle demolition, marred by a violent confrontation between residents and the demolition team, betrays government's "pro-rich" stance. "The government is pro-rich and only listens to people like the Ayalas," Reyes said in an article posted on the Union of Catholic Asian News website. Reyes, spiritual adviser of Urban Poor Associates, was referring to the landed family that owns Ayala Land Inc. apart from dozens of other big companies. Ayala Land is working with the National Housing Authority and the city government to develop the area into a business district reportedly intended to rival the present business centers in Makati and Ortigas areas. Reyes said the plight of the metropolitan poor has not changed since then First Lady Imelda Marcos served as Metro Manila governor from the 1970s to the early 1980s. At least 12 people were injured in Thursday's seven-hour standoff, apart from causing a monster traffic jam along EDSA and connecting thoroughfares. (See: Barricades block QC North Triangle demolition; 14 hurt in clashes) President Aquino promptly ordered the demolition suspended while the issue is being reviewed by pertinent agencies. (Palace: Aquino orders halt to QC demolition) “This assault would not have happened if the President only followed his promise to implement a moratorium on demolitions," said Reyes. It will be recalled that on the first full day of Aquino’s presidency last July 1, the Kilos Maralita coalition of urban poor groups marched from Mendiola to Malacañang to present a one-page petition asking for a three-year moratorium on evictions and demolitions of urban poor communities. It remains unclear whether the President acted on the group’s appeal.
Church to take 'active role' For his part, Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), said NASSA will take an active role in the issue. “Development is not good if it will destroy peoples’ lives," Gariguez said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas. “The government should not just drive people away from their source of livelihood. The relocation site in Montalban [now Rodriguez town, Rizal province] doesn’t have electricity. How will they live without jobs?" Gariguez added. Families who relocate to get cash support However, NHA general manager Chito Cruz said the government is offering P6,000 each to those families who will move voluntarily. Those who decide to return to their provinces will also be given P25,000 as business startup capital, he added. Cruz said some 3,400 families of the 9,000 families in the area had already moved to three relocations sites in Rodriguez. Some 200 families affected by the recent demolition order have accepted the government’s offer and their cases are now in process, UCAN quoted Cruz as saying. Cruz also clarified that government relocation housing is not free. A family pays rent of P200 a month and may own the property after 30 years.—JV, GMANews.TV