The urban poor group Kadamay said the demolition was meant to pave way for the construction of “Cloverleaf,” a high-end business and residential complex owned by a big real estate company Ayala Land.

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — About 200 urban poor families residing near Balintawak market in Quezon City expressed fears they may lose their homes as the seven-day eviction notice lapsed today, Oct. 12.

Residents of homes along Apolonio Samson Road near Balintawak Market in Quezon City barricaded their community as early as 5 a.m.

As of this writing, a demolition team is stationed at the village hall, reportedly waiting for orders to dismantle the homes.

The urban poor group Kadamay said the demolition was meant to pave way for the construction of “Cloverleaf,” a high-end business and residential complex owned by a big real estate company Ayala Land.

Kadamay said that at least eight big markets in the area are also set to be demolished. Residents, who are mostly market vendors, are also resisting the demolition of the markets.

Former Interior secretary and now Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas reportedly handed P100 million ($2.2 million) to the Quezon City local government for a housing program. But Zenaida Ogaya, secretary of Samahang Apolonio Samson, Balintawak, Inc., said they have yet to receive housing program or financial assistance from the local government.

Under the Aquino administration, thousands of urban poor families in Quezon City have been relocated to far-flung relocation sites to give way to multi-million public-private partnership projects, such the Quezon City Central Business District. These relocation sites have long been criticized for lacking acess to social services and sources of livelihood.

Kadamay urged presidential candidates who are set to file of their certificates of candidacy beginning today to speak against demolition.

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