Smokey Mountain residents protested at the Barangay Hall of Barangay 128, Tondo, Manila on February 17 to oppose the looming demolition of their community and the barangay captain’s collusion with R-II Builders.

The protest coincided with a dialogue between Kabataan Partylist representative Renee Co and barangay officials. Joining the action were the groups Kadamay, KMU, Gabriela Women’s Party, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and Anakbayan.

R-II Builders and its affiliate companies, Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. (PhilEco) and Manila Integrated Environment Corp. (MIEC), are pushing to evict Smokey Mountain residents to clear the area for a 100-megawatt WTE incinerator worth ₱26.65 billion. The project is set to begin construction in the first quarter of 2026 and start operations in 2028.

Residents earlier protested at the National Housing Authority in Paco, Manila City on February 10. The protest coincided with a public consultation on the impending demolition in Tondo.