media advisory

ARENDA URBAN POOR FEDERATION INC. (AUPFI)
Lupang Arenda, Bgy Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal

MEDIA ADVISORY
January 4, 2010

LUPANG ARENDA RESIDENTS CALLS FOR
REJECTION OF THE PROPOSED REVOCATION OF PROC. 704

WHEN: January 5, 2010, Tuesday, 9 am

WHERE: From Lupang Arenda to Malacañang

Thousands of residents of Lupang Arenda will bring to Malacanang their objection against the proposed revocation of Proclamation 704. The said proclamation was issued by President Fidel Ramos on November 28, 1995 and opened some 80 hectares of public lands in protected wetlands to accommodate the growing number of informal settlers along Pasig river and less privileges families of Taytay, Rizal. But President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is preparing to revoke Proclamation 704 coming from wrong informations from DENR based on inaccurate information and mis-appreciation of the objective situation of the proclaimed site. The recommendation was primarily based on the situation of a community outside of the proclaimed site and portrayed as the whole situation of the families within proclamation 704.

Residents said the aggravated flooding experienced within the proclaimed site was due to the negligence of the agency implementing and maintaining the Metro Manila Flood Control Project, based on the Memorandum of Agreement of 2003 signed and entered into by different national agencies including Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).

They said they will continue their strong opposition to the proposed revocation of Proclamation 704 until proper consultation, negotiation and lasting solution will be met.

For further details, please contact: Vicente “Teng” Barlos, vice-president of AUPFI at 09215666586, or visit aupfi’s website at http://aupfi.blogspot.com