By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Kalbaryo ng Maralita 2024 protesters showed dismay over informal settler families’ (ISF) ineligibility for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) due to its requirements in front of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Engineering Building yesterday, March 26.

“Tadtad ‘yan ng sandamakmak na requirements… Dapat ay miyembro ka ng Pag-IBIG… Kalakhan ng mga informal settler families ay unemployed. Wala kaming ganu’n (It has a lot of requirements… You should be a member of Pag-IBIG… Most of the informal settler families are unemployed. We do not have that),” Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino National Capital Region and Rizal Chapter President Gie Relova said in an interview with FEU Advocate.

Considered as the current government’s flagship housing project, 4PH provides development loans and consumer financing to employed individuals. 

The program tasks the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, local government units, and national government agencies to identify areas suitable for housing projects.

In response, the demonstrators cited that ISFs will not be able to afford the housing rent in light of product price hikes, low minimum wage, and contractualization.

Moreover, Relova also encouraged students to be more aware of issues that reveal struggles among different sectors.

“Sana makita ng mga estudyante ‘yung glaring na injustice at sa sariling mata nila makita nila sinong implementor ng injustice dito (I hope students see the glaring injustice and see who is the implementer of injustice here with their own eyes),” Relova added.

Multi-sectoral groups also staged Kalbaryo ng Masang Anakpawis at Maralitang Taga-lungsod along Recto Avenue in Manila.

In an attempt to troop toward Mendiola Peace Arch, the Manila Police District barred the mobilization and insisted on conducting the program in Liwasang Bonifacio in Ermita.

The rally also called upon the government to junk Charter Change which will amend the constitution’s economic provision for foreign investors.

Kalbaryo ng Maralita is conducted every Holy Week to dramatize the struggles of urban poor groups in parallel with the journey of Jesus Christ's Calvary.

(Photo by Mark Vincent A. Durano/FEU Advocate)