Rains hamper demolition of QC informal setllers’ homes

MANILA, Philippines – The demolition operations in Barangay (village) Old Balara along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City was stopped temporarily as strong rain fell before noon although a court sheriff said it would resume once the weather cooperates.

About 200 members of the demolition team, 200 police from Quezon City Police District, 50 members of traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, 10 firemen with two fire trucks, and ambulances were on standby to carry on the court order to remove the shanties around the one-hectare property owned by Susana Properties.

“We will continue our operations once the rain stops. Some of the residents, however, are packing their things and construction materials that they can re-use,” said Quezon City court sheriff Eduardo Pelaez.

Pelaez said that at least 100 families were left out of the initial count of 300 “legitimate families” surveyed by the Urban Poor Affairs Office.

“We gave them enough time since we presented the court order in July. They even asked us to just wait for some of the kids to graduate, we obliged. They asked for 15-day extension, we also obliged. They were given the financial assistance and now, we have to push through with the operation,” he said.

Tension rose between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. between the police and squatters, who blocked the entrance to the compound. The residents managed to occupy two out of the eight lanes on Commonwealth Ave. from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a m. that led to a traffic jam on the main thoroughfare but they were later dispersed by the authorities.