Manila Today
“Nabubuhay tayo hindi para sa sarili lamang natin kundi may pananagutan tayo sa kapwa natin,” said Margie Pagsanghan, a resident of Block 6 in Brgy. Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City.
[We live not only for ourselves but we have a responsibility to our fellow peers]
“Naninindigan tayo sa tama at wala naman tayong inaagrabyado, sila nga itong puro kalokohan ang ginagawa,” she chided on the Valenzuela LGU after its recent posts pertaining about the demolition incident in Brgy. Veinte Reales.
[We are standing up for what is right and we are not aggrieved by anyone, they the ones doing nothing but nonsense]
Accordingly, in Valenzuela City’s Facebook page, it claimed that they imposed a “clearing operation” instead of a violent dispersal and demolition.
It must be noted that such post came since a live footage, that reached more than 500,000 engagements, showed the actual demolition team joined by Valenzuela cops, Virginia Leonor of Valenzuela City Engineering Office, as well as several officials whose identities were not disclosed even when asked by residents.
“Mahalaga ang paninindigan sa isang tao, lalo pa’t nakabatay rito ang kinabukasan ng ating mga anak, ng ating mga apo. Mawala man tayo sa mundong ito, maiiwan natin ang laban. Huwag tayong magpadala sa mga katwiran tulad noon ni Mayor Rex, noong nakikipagusap tayo sa munisipyo,” Pagsanghan said.
[It is important to stand up for someone, especially since the future of our children, our grandchildren depends on it. Should we leave from this world, we will leave the fight behind. Let’s not give in to arguments like Mayor Rex used to blabber, back when we were talking to the City Hall]
Pagsanghan shared how she and Robellyn Oraza, president of Cheng Ville Association Phase 2, went to lobby and raise their demands to former city mayor and now the secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Rexlon “Rex” Ting Gatchalian.
She recalled Oraza asserting at least 20 to 30 square-meter to be given per family, that in her words: “maipamamana pa namin iyan sa aming mga anak, sa aming mga apo. May kasiguraduhan ng paninirahan.” [we can pass that on to our children, our grandchildren. There is security of residence]
However, their demand was left unheard. Pagsanghan further recalled how Rex Gatchalian responded to them as in her words “ang lupa hindi nanganganak, ang tao dumarami,” [land does not give birth, man does]
“Yong mga pagkain na nga natin hirap na hirap na tayo, eh paano kung umupa? Kababayad mo pa lang, may utang ka na naman. Iyan ang reyalidad sa buhay namin. Manindigan tayo para sa mamamayan ng Block 6,” Pagsanghan noted.
[We are already struggling with our food, how about renting? You just paid, you owe again. That is the reality of our lives. Let’s stand up for the people of Block 6!]
Earlier today, residents had been prepared should there be threats of demolition. Even readying again to form a barricade in order to defend their homes despite muddy and inundated streets.
According to them, rain or shine, they are committed to fight for their houses that they resided for up to three decades.
They strengthened again their barricades and added streamers bearing their calls “Itigil ang demolisyon”, “Gusto namin manatili sa Block 6”, “Onsite Development, Ipatupad!” among others.
Youth and urban poor volunteers conducted a cultural night to help boost the morale and in solidarity of Block 6, Brgy. Veinte Reales residents’ struggle to right to housing.
A film showing of a short documentary titled “Ang Bahay ay Buhay” had also been screened to residents detailing about the urban poor situation in Maysapang community in Brgy. Ususan, Taguig City where right to housing is also put into limelight.
“Kung ano man ang mangyari sa atin, ang isipin natin ay ang kapakanan ng kapwa pa rin. Kasi iyan ang tungkulin natin,” Pagsanghan concluded.
[No matter what happens to us, we should think about is the welfare of others because that is our duty]
