Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Defend Job Philippines about on-going demolition and evictions targeting the urban poor community of the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig city. This drive aims to clear the area to facilitate the Lakeshore Development project. It is the largest Public-Private Partnership Project of the Aquino administration, worth P123 billion, but is violating many rights of the people.
The AHRC urges the authorities to immediately stop this drive which is exposing the inhabitants to food and livelihood security.
CASE NARRATIVE:
On March 17, 2015, the City of Taguig served a notice of self-demolition and eviction on the urban poor families living in the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig City. This notice was served with the stated purpose of giving their land to the Laguna Lake Development Project. Two days after serving the notice, the authorities forcibly demolished the homes of some families living in the area and confiscated their personal property such as kitchen utensils, blankets, papaya trees, wood, lumber, padlocks et al.
Laguna Lake is the largest lake in the Philippines. Some 6 million people from Metro Manila, and the provinces of Laguna and Rizal live around it. It is also the greatest source of freshwater fish in the country. The affected families have lived in this community for many years and are largely dependent upon the lake for their livelihood. Many of them are engaged in fishing and allied activities while others grow vegetables and fruit trees near the lake. Some work in construction, or as domestic helpers or have odd jobs like driving pedicabs.
The residents raised their concerns during a pre-demolition conference on April 22 2015 headed by The Presidential Urban Poor Commission. Effects of the drive are seriously affecting the security of their homes, livelihood opportunities and education of their children. After raising all these issues they asked for consideration of their situation. Government representatives blatantly refused to listen to them saying they cannot offer any help. Their attitude and behavior added to the woes of the community.
It is evident that the Lakeshore Development project, the largest Public-Private Partnership Project of the Aquino administration, worth P123 billion, will trample on land rights and livelihood opportunities. It is a gross violation of the human rights of those living in the lakeshore area and the whole of the Laguna Lake communities.
This demolition drive is being held in contravention of many local laws. It also stands against the Philippine Government’s obligations under many of the United Nations conventions and treaty bodies it has signed and ratified. For example, being a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Philippine government is obliged to refrain from, and protect against, forced eviction from homes. It is further obliged to ensure and not to violate the economic, social and cultural rights of the people such as right to adequate housing, right to work and livelihood, right to a clean and safe environment, right to health, education and social services. The government has other obligations for promoting and protecting peoples’ human rights under other international treaty bodies as well as the Philippine Constitution.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities mentioned below requesting immediate intervention to ensure that the eviction drive against the urban poor communities of the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig City is called off. You may ask that the government keep a close eye on such actions which threaten the livelihood and food security of the marginalised sections of the country.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing as a Component of the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living, and on the Right to Non-Discrimination, seeking her intervention.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PHILIPPINES: Stop demolition against Laguna Lakeshore Community in Taguig
Name of the victims: Residents of Laguna Lakeshore Community
Alleged Perpetrators: City Government of Taguig
Date and Time of the incident: ongoing
Place of incident: Taguig, Philippines
I am writing to you to raise my concerns about the on-going demolition drive in the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig City. On March 17, 2015, the City government of Taguig served a notice of self-demolition and eviction on the urban poor families living in the Laguna Lakeshore area of Taguig City. This notice was served with the stated purpose of giving their land to the Laguna Lake Development Project. Two days after serving the notice, the authorities forcibly demolished the homes of some families living in the area and confiscated their personal property such as kitchen utensils, blankets, papaya trees, wood, lumber, padlocks et al.
Laguna Lake is the largest lake in the Philippines. Some 6 million people from Metro Manila, and the provinces of Laguna and Rizal live around it. It is also the greatest source of freshwater fish in the country. The affected families have lived in this community for many years and are largely dependent upon the lake for their livelihood. Many of them are engaged in fishing and allied activities while others grow vegetables and fruit trees near the lake. Some work in construction, or as domestic helpers or have odd jobs like driving pedicabs.
The residents raised their concerns during a pre-demolition conference on April 22 2015 headed by The Presidential Urban Poor Commission. Effects of the drive are seriously affecting the security of their homes, livelihood opportunities and education of their children. After raising all these issues they asked for consideration of their situation. Government representatives blatantly refused to listen to them saying they cannot offer any help. Their attitude and behavior added to the woes of the community.
It is evident that the Lakeshore Development project, the largest Public-Private Partnership Project of the Aquino administration, worth P123 billion, will trample on land rights and livelihood opportunities. It is a gross violation of the human rights of those living in the lakeshore area and the whole of the Laguna Lake communities.
This demolition drive is being held in contravention of many local laws. It also stands against the Philippine Government's obligations under many of the United Nations conventions and treaty bodies it has signed and ratified. For example, being a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Philippine government is obliged to refrain from, and protect against, forced eviction from homes. It is further obliged to ensure and not to violate the economic, social and cultural rights of the people such as right to adequate housing, right to work and livelihood, right to a clean and safe environment, right to health, education and social services. The government has other obligations for promoting and protecting peoples' human rights under other international treaty bodies as well as the Philippine Constitution.
I, therefore, urge you to ensure that
1. Forcible demolition of the homes of the urban poor communities in Laguna Lakeshore area is stopped immediately.
2. Evictions are halted and decent and adequate housing is provided.
3. Conduct a genuine consultation with residents so their concerns are fully addressed. 4. Devise schemes to uplift the dire conditions of the affected families. These schemes must focus on access to full employment, adequate livelihood, social services and respect for their human rights.
5. Laguna Lake Reclamation and other such projects destroying homes, livelihoods and the environment are reconsidered. Shelve them if they continue violating the rights of the people and the environment.
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
Email: alanpetercayetano.media@gmail.com
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
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. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay
Chairperson
Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC)
BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas St, Makati City
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 811 4158
Email: vp@ovp.gov.ph
5. Jaime E. Varela - Executive Assistant
Philippine Commission of Urban Poor
Office of the Chairman
Addr: 4th floor, DHC Bldg. 1115 EDSA,
Project 7, 1105 Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: (02) 410-46-91
Email: jaimevarela1015@yahoo.com
6. Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Senate Office: Rm. 505 & 18 GSIS Bldg,
Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
PHILIPPINES
Fax: (632) 552-6684
Email: pia@senatorpiacayetano.com
7. Senator Alan Peter "Compañero" S. Cayetano
Rm. 603 GSIS Bldg.,
Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
PHILIPPINES
Fax No.: (632) 832-5518
Email: alanpetercayetano.media@gmail.com
Hunger Alerts Programme
Right to Food Programme (foodjustice@ahrc.asia)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
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