Duterte to soldiers, policemen: Give up housing in Pandi to Kadamay

(File photo) President Rodrigo vowed to give soldiers and policemen better housing units if they give up their claim to a government housing project in Pandi, Bulacan

President Rodrigo Duterte gave in to urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) and asked soldiers and policemen to give up their houses in a resettlement area in Pandi, Bulacan.

"I will ask you soldiers and policemen, bitawan nalang niyo iyan. Ibigay na lang natin sa kanila, tutal mahirap sila. But I promise you, I will look for another land nearby, or adjacent or maybe contiguous area there and gagawa ako ng mas maganda, may tubig na and may electric na pagpasok ninyo," he told soldiers at the Philippine Army anniversary rites.

[Translation: I will ask you soldiers and policemen, give those up and let us give it to them, they need it more. But I promise you, I will look for another land nearby, or adjacent or maybe contigious area there and I will build a better one, with water and electricity and ready.]

Duterte said he will build bigger and better houses with water and power supply near the Pandi resettlement area.

About 24,000 Kadamay members have occupied around 5,740 vacant units in six project sites since March 8.

The houses were intended for low-income members of law enforcement units.

Duterte asked soldiers to avoid arguing with Kadamay members because it would be for nothing, adding "something could go awfully wrong" if an argument were to escalate.

He said the only fault of Kadamay members was that they are poor "like us."

The President said he hopes the new housing units for law enforcers would be completed by December.

He said the National Housing Authority (NHA) told him there are enough funds for the new houses.

Canceled eviction

Eviction notices were issued to informal settlers occupying the units on March 20. They were supposed to leave the units on March 27.

NHA spokesperson Elsie Trinidad said they would be carrying out what they call legal eviction of unauthorized occupants.

The Philippine National Police added it was ready to assist the NHA in restoring order in the occupied areas.

Kadamay vowed to fight the order, saying they were ready to block roads if necessary.

Read: KADAMAY members to fight eviction from Bulacan housing units

Kadamay members were saved from being evicted from government housing after a closed-door meeting with NHA on March 27.

[Source]