This was the observation of Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao who lauded yesterday Pres. Duterte for ordering the award of the houses to the families led by the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).
“It is a good call by the President, by heeding the legitimate calls of the poor for shelter and we are hoping that his talk could do the walk in the soonest possible time,” Casilao said in a press statement.
But he expressed “greater appreciation over the collective effort of the urban poor families who actually occupied the unused and deteriorating housing units last March 8.” The units were built by the National Housing Authority (NHA) for soldiers and policemen, but they had been unoccupied since the project was initiated five years ago.
“We should mark this lesson that the President has been swayed by the collective and unwavering concrete actions by the urban poor families, who from the beginning stood ground, from occupying the housing units to withstanding the deceptive and divisive measures by the National Housing Authority, this will be written on the books of mass struggle of the Filipino urban poor advancing the right to shelter,” Casilao said.
Casilao also noted the “important contribution of National Anti-Poverty Commission head Liza Maza who was instrumental in conveying the demands of the urban poor to the President.”
“Other sectors and groups who are not affiliated with Kadamay and its allied organizations, but who are facing hardship should learn from this breakthrough experience, that the amalgamation of the incessant action through mass movement and cooperation with the progressive or ‘left’ Cabinet leaders is certain to result out positive for the people,” Casilao added.
Casilao, with other Makabayan lawmakers facilitated a dialogue between Kadamay and NHA last week. It was agreed that the Kadamay families would be “processed” for the awarding of the housing units they had occupied.
“Of course, we recognize that this is a continuing struggle, from the validation, processing of occupants, to the struggle for free housing, and access to social services, jobs, wages and livelihood, we challenge the Duterte government to sincerely work for holistic approach of uplifting the urban poor sector in the country,” Casilao further said.
