Kadamay members brace themselves for NHA eviction on Monday

Members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) on Monday said they were ready for the expected arrival of personnel of the National Housing Authority in a housing project in Pandi, Bulacan, a report on Unang Balita said.

Monday is the deadline given by the NHA for Kadamay to vacate Pandi 3 village, which the members illegally occupied.

A two-layer barricade has been set up in Pandi 3, GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported. The first layer is made of culvert stones. The second layer has wood, wire, and cloth items.

Kadamay has put up two barricades in Pandi 3, Bulacan in anticipation of eviction. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/fSbNDwchqi

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) March 26, 2017

Youth members of the group went on overnight watch to guard against unwanted visitors.

Every stranger arriving is asked for his or her purpose in visiting the area.

A man who introduced himself to GMA News as Jeremy said they are not yet sure if the eviction will push through on Monday.

He admitted that many of their members are afraid and worried about the planned eviction.

However, they would rather stay than leave, he said.

It would be better if the idle housing units in the government project be occupied by Kadamay members rather than let these remain vacant, he said.

No one has the right to evict them since public funds were used to build the housing project, Jeremy added.

In a statement released on Sunday, Gloria "Ka Bea" Arellano, KADAMAY chairperson, said, "The barricades will stand for as long as they have to. We will resist any and all forms of eviction. Pushing through with the eviction will further prove how desperate the government and the NHA are in preserving the interests of corporations and their anti-poor policies. This occupation is historic and highlights the depth of the problems urban poor face, yet they are still intent on responding with fascism."

The members gave their word that they will not resort to violence as long as they will not be hurt as well, the TV report said.

However, they will not hesitate to use violence if the situation calls for it.

Meanwhile, legitimate residents of the housing project in Pandi have expressed concern for their safety, a separate report on Unang Balita on Monday by Victoria Tulad said.

The residents said it would be best if the Kadamay members go through the process in applying for housing units like they did.

Twelve thousand members of the group have occupied government housing projects.

Aside from Pandi 3, the housing projects Pandi 2, BJMP Housing, Villa Elise, Villa Luis, and Padre Pio have also been occupied by the group.

As of posting time, no order has yet been given to the police and military to enforce the eviction. —KG, GMA News