The urban poor residents of Baseco Compound, a slum area in the city of Manila, Philippines want President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to stick to her decision in 2002 when she proclaimed the 56 hectares as socialized housing site (site for urban poor housing) for the 7,000 residents there. Last January 31, 2008 she declared several times that Baseco is for socialized housing at a meeting attended by NGO and urban poor leaders, including the president of the urban poor organization in Baseco, bishops and housing officials.
However, government officials are saying the government will expand Baseco’s 56 hectares by reclaiming from the sea another 124 hectares. But of the 180 hectares only 10 hectares will be allocated for the urban poor while the rest will be sold or used for commerical purposes, clearly not enough for the 7,000 families.
The residents oppose this move by the government. They have been launching actions and are contemplating to do more protest actions.
Help them by writing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and by disseminating this appeal!
Your immediate support is required.
Click here to read the Urgent Action Letter to the President
Click here to read the background of this case.
