Groups representing marginalized sectors staged a Lenten protest earlier today, March 30, at the Chino Roces bridge. The groups assailed the Aquino administration for carrying out programs detrimental to the welfare and lives of the poor.
“From the violence of homes to the hellish situation of the in-city relocation sites, Aquino has unravelled himself as an anti-poor president, prioritizing interests of big foreign business and local ruling elites over the welfare of the masses,” said Badion.
“The Fire Prevention Month opened and ended with almost daily wide-scale and uncontrollable fires in urban poor communities, mostly those with privatization and eviction threats. Is this being done on purpose? How come the government cannot ably save the little property of the poor? Or respond adequately in this grave time of need?” said Cora Agovida of Gabriela Manila.
Recently, a huge fire razed hundreds of homes in decades-old urban poor community Parola in Tondo, Manila. Many continue to live in evacuation centers or makeshift homes.
KADAMAY also criticized the lack of social services, among the most felt of which are medical services for the poor.
“Hundreds, if not thousands of poor Filipinos have been denied access to cheap, if not free, medical services as the Aquino regime implements the privatization of public hospitals nationwide under its Public-Private Program,” said Carlito Badion, Secretary General of Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY).
Also called “Kalbaryo ng Maralitang Lungsod” (Cavalry of the Urban Poor), the annual play and protest march during Lent relives portrays the Passion of the Christ where the urban poor carries the cross of his contemporary human sufferings on his shoulders.
The groups vowed to stage bigger protests to call for President Aquino’s removal from office after the Lenten season.
