Families displaced in Quezon City demolition seek gov’t accountability, aid

MANILA, Philippines — Displaced residents of Sitio San Isidro in Barangay Pag-asa, Quezon City are now living in poor conditions while they continue to seek justice and government relief following the demolition of their homes on last April 18. 

According to the Philippine Resource Center of Inclusive Development (Inklusibo), an estimated 50 to 80 families were affected to make way for a three-story cancer center and parking lot for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).

Teresita Dalayan, one of the residents, claimed that some of the families’ personal belongings were lost during the demolition, leaving them without any means of immediate relief. Meanwhile, Rose Dela Cruz said the Quezon City local government only visited the displaced residents to get their names, but have yet to provide updates. 

With this uncertainty, families were appealing to agencies and volunteer organizations for aid. They have also been relying on meager donations just to get by. On top of this, they faced extreme heat and various illnesses such as diarrhea. 

“Saan na kami matutulog? Saan na matutulog ‘yung mga bata? Magkakasakit ‘yan. Ilang pamilya po ang nandito, madami. Pa’no naman po kami lahat? Tignan niyo, saan sila tatae? Saan sila iigib ng tubig? Nagbabayad pa rin sila. Kailangan po nila ‘yun. Pa’no po kung umulan?”  Dalayan said.

(Where do we sleep? Where do the children sleep? They will get sick. There are many families here. What will happen to them? What about sanitation needs? What about water supply? They still pay for water, electricity. They need that. What happens when it rains?”)

While they wait being relocated, the residents have set up temporary tarpaulin tents along a closed section of Quezon Avenue. However, members of the Quezon City LGU Task Force for Control, Prevention, and Removal of Illegal Structures and Squatting (TF COPRISS) and other traffic enforcers kept visiting the residents, asking them when would they leave the area as the road would be reopened to vehicular traffic. 

The displace families said they were unprepared for the demolition. Some claimed that the demolition came as a surprise. 

Based on an April 9 letter to the Office of the