Residents barricaded the Ricarte area on January 9 to stop employees from the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO) from conducting a census of residents without the proper permit from the UP administration.

According to Clodualdo Cabrera, president of the All-UP Workers’ Union, the residents opposed the census as information gathered from such may be used to issue a demolition order.

The Ricarte, Palaris and Dagohoy (RIPADA) communities, along with several other communities, are in danger of being demolished to give way to the extension of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5), which will connect the north and the south Luzon expressways.

Babes Pariñas, council member of the multi-sectoral organization against demolitions Save RIPADA Movement, said a consultation must take place between the city government and the UP administration before any census may be conducted.

Save RIPADA also slammed a local organization Samahang Area for Priority Development Block 5 for assisting the UPAO in conducting the survey.

Cabrera added that the UPAO and the Metro Manila Development Authority have yet to grant the movement’s requests for a meeting.

The government must prioritize housing projects instead of road widening plans, and must allot a relocation site for affected residents before conducting any demolition, Cabrera said.

Gabriela Partylist Rep. Lisa Maza earlier filed a petition asking Congress to conduct an inquiry into the legality of the C-5 extension project. Cabrera said there is no update yet on the resolution.# Philippine Collegian

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