The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Defend Job Philippines about a blaze in Parola Compund, Binonda, Manila, which has displaced thousands of urban poor. The AHRC urges the government of Philippines to ensure all assistance to the community and rehabilitate them as quickly as possible.
CASE NARRATIVE:
A fire that broke out in Parola Compound, Binondo, Metro Manila, on the afternoon of 2 March 2015 has burnt down houses of more than 3,100 families, housing an estimated population of more than 20,000. The fire broke out around 5 p.m. in the evening, affecting Area B, C, and H of the Parola Compound. Though the blaze lasted for more than 12 hours, the victims claim that the government seemed to be completely ill prepared to tackle such an eventuality.
The victims further state that, had the government acted swiftly, the fire would have been contained and caused much less damage. Government apathy ran so high that no government officials were present at the site, even long after the fire had broken out and raged. And when some officials finally reached Parola Compound they seemed clueless about telling people what to do and where to go.
Despite Parola being situated just a few minutes walk from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Malacanang, and the City Hall of Manila, apathy continued well after the fire was doused out at dawn on 3 March. The government could only help the victims with relief material, including food, one whole day after the incident.
Till date, the government has assisted the victims with only a PHP 2,000 financial assistance and a few food packs per family. The affected families have said that this amount is not even enough to buy food, clothing, and medicine, forget about getting materials to fix their homes. More than a week after the fire, thousands of families are stuck in the evacuation centres. More than a thousand families, for instance, are barely coping with being displaced inside Delpan Sports Complex. The worst hit, like in all other similar incidents, are women, children, and the elderly. Many are sick and the continued hunger is worsening their situation.
The community has also learnt about plans to block their return to Parola Compound and that they will be forcibly evicted to another place or places, located away from their sources of livelihood. Such a plan seem plausible, as the community of Parola Compound has long been a target for relocation for “development” projects similar to the Manila Bay Reclamation and the on-going port privatization — a project pushed by foreign multinational corporations with their local partners in the Philippines.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities, mentioned below, demanding immediate intervention ensuring sufficient relief material and assistance to the community.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Ensure all assistance to the victims of Parola Compound Fire
Name of the Victims: Thousands of Families of Parola Compound
Date and Time of Incident: 2 March 2015 and on-going
Place of Incident: Metro Manila, The Philippines
I am writing to you with concern about the fire that broke out in Parola Compound, Binondo, Metro Manila, on the afternoon of 2 March 2015 has burnt down houses of more than 3,100 families, housing an estimated population of more than 20,000. The fire broke out around 5 p.m. in the evening, affecting Area B, C, and H of the Parola Compound. Though the blaze lasted for more than 12 hours, the victims claim that the government seemed to be completely ill prepared to tackle such an eventuality.
The victims further state that, had the government acted swiftly, the fire would have been contained and caused much less damage. Government apathy ran so high that no government officials were present at the site, even long after the fire had broken out and raged. And when some officials finally reached Parola Compound they seemed clueless about telling people what to do and where to go.
Despite Parola being situated just a few minutes walk from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Malacanang, and the City Hall of Manila, apathy continued well after the fire was doused out at dawn on 3 March. The government could only help the victims with relief material, including food, one whole day after the incident.
Till date, the government has assisted the victims with only a PHP 2,000 financial assistance and a few food packs per family. The affected families have said that this amount is not even enough to buy food, clothing, and medicine, forget about getting materials to fix their homes. More than a week after the fire, thousands of families are stuck in the evacuation centres. More than a thousand families, for instance, are barely coping with being displaced inside Delpan Sports Complex. The worst hit, like in all other similar incidents, are women, children, and the elderly. Many are sick and the continued hunger is worsening their situation.
The community has also learnt about plans to block their return to Parola Compound and that they will be forcibly evicted to another place or places, located away from their sources of livelihood. Such a plan seem plausible, as the community of Parola Compound has long been a target for relocation for “development” projects similar to the Manila Bay Reclamation and the on-going port privatization — a project pushed by foreign multinational corporations with their local partners in the Philippines.
I, therefore, urge you to ensure that:
1. All assistance needed by the victims of Parola Compound fire is provided to them urgently and immediately;
2. The community is reassured about the alleged plans of eviction that wishes to use the fire as an excuse;
3. The concerns of the community are addressed before unilateral execution of development plans;
4. The government devises a comprehensive policy on development with due attention given to the issues affecting the urban poor.
Sincerely,
_______
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
2. Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +63 2 929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655 / 926 6188
E-mail: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com
3. Corazon Juliano-Soliman
Secretary, Department of Social, Welfare and Development
Constitution Hills, Batasan Pambansa Complex,
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Tel/Fax: +63 (2) 931-81-91
4. Joseph Marcelo Ejercito Estrada
Mayor
Antonio J. Villegas Hall, Arroceros Street,
Ermita
Metro Manila 1004
PHILIPPINES
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
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