[asia-apec 150] urban poor relocation site in Sapang Palay

[RVerzola]

press release
October 9, 1996

    BBC STAFFER BANNED FROM ENTERING SAPANG PALAY RELOCATION SITE

     A British Broadcasting Company (BBC) staffer was banned October 6
from the premises of the temporary relocation site in Barrio Minuyan,
Sapang Palay, Bulacan.  Enver Solomon, the BBC man, arrived in the
country last October 3 to gather news on the APEC preparations and the
government-MNLF peace negotiations for the BBC worldwide radio
program.

     A security guard told Solomon that he was instructed not to allow
media people, foreign and local, from entering the temporary
relocation site in Minuyan, Sapang Palay.  The National Housing
Authority (NHA) personnel had told Jo Castillo, an officer of the
Damayan ng Maralitang pilipinong Api (DAMPA), that they were not
allowing media people to enter the temporary relocation site because
they have been getting negative reports about the place.

     Solomon, however, was able to interview outside the camp's
premises Nestor Gonzales and Emmanuel Orque, leaders of the relocated
families.  They told him that the place had no water and electricity
for the past three days.  They had to buy water or fetch it from
nearby wells.  There were not enough toilets.  Many children have been
stricken down with cholera.  There were instances also of dengue
fever.  Most of them were hungry since work could not be found nearby.
Transportation expenses to and from the place run to thirty five
pesos.  They said the place is getting the monicker "death zone".  All
this pain and deprivation they had to undergo because government wants
to please the APEC delegates in the November summit.

                              URBAN POOR ASSOCIATES
                              contact:  Chito Aguilar, Ted Anana,
                                        Lanie Francia or Joy Soriano
                              tel/fax:  632-9202434
                              e-mail :  UPA at phil.gn.apc.org