RESIDENTS of Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela City have thwarted plan of the local government unit to wipe out their community this morning, after rebuilding their homes and staging a people’s barricade against demolition.
As of 8am, residents were sure about the demolition plan after a member of the demolition team hired by the Valenzuela Engineering Office relayed to them the supposed operation. Since yesterday, the residents have re-enforced their defenses and planned for contingency measures in case of an overkill demolition like what happened last Friday where some 213 homes were shattered down by not less than 500 demolition men and the police.
This afternoon, they plan to stage a protest action at the Valenzuela City Hall to call for justice for the victims of violent demolition last Friday, including the two-year old girl who was injured in the neck. Together with some officials of the DILG, the residents will also demand the LGU to recognize the Moratorium of Agreement signed by the DILG with Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon, a network against forced eviction, citing that there will be no forcible demolitions of homes in danger areas in the National Capital Region without concrete plan of an on-site or near-site relocation for the affected families.
DILG Undersecretary Francisco Fernandez together with leaders of Anakpawis Partylist and Alyansa Kontra Demolisyon signed these agreements last May 29, 2013
*That we will jointly implement on-site or near-site relocation for those residing in danger areas in the NCR;
*That there will be no forcible demolition until another meeting shall be made on the matter mentioned above.