Kadamay slams Duterte’s order that they stop occupying housing units: ‘Imposible iyan’

Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on Thursday condemned President Rodrigo Duterte for directing security personnel to prevent members of the group from occupying idle housing units.

In a news release, Kadamay chairperson Gloria Arellano stressed that it would be impossible for them not to conduct protest actions as the poor sector continues to be affected by the Philippines' supposed "declining" economy.

"Tagos sa bulsa ang epekto ng TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law, napakahina na rin ng halaga ng piso, kawalan ng trabahong may nakabubuhay na sahod at paparami ang homeless tapos aasahan ni Digong na huhupa ang pagkilos ng mahihirap? Imposible iyan kung walang tunay na pagbabago," Arellano said.

"Pagdating sa pabahay, hangga’t pinapabagal ang implementasyon ng Joint Resolution 2 at nakabatay lamang sa kagustuhan ng NHA at hindi ng mamamayan, hindi matitigil ang mga protesta ng homeless," she added.

Malacañang has said Kadamay's occupation of housing units in Pandi, Bulacan last year should be the "last."

Kadamay defended their taking over of a housing project in Rodriguez town on Wednesday as part of their initiative to protect homes allegedly promised to them by the government.

In May, Duterte signed a congressional resolution authorizing the National Housing Authority to grant unoccupied housing units to other qualified beneficiaries.

Arellano also criticized Malacañang's media outfit for calling their protest action as an "invasion."

"Sobra naman ang ‘invasion,’ mapayapa kaming lumalaban. Ano kami, China? Hindi ba’t kayo naman ang nag-aalok sa China ng mga teritoryo at ekonomiya na dapat para sa mga Pilipino?” Arellano said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News