Led by the Association of Neighbors in Upper Smokey Mountain-Kadamay, residents Smokey Mountain and Malara protested before Manila City Hall on August 18 to assert their right to residence and condemn the illegal demolition in their barangay. They also condemned the R-II Builders’ continued harassment of the residents to drive them away from the area. R-II Builders is owned by Enrique Razon.

The groups Nagkakaisa at Nagdadamayang Marala Organization (NANAMO), Anakbayan NCR, Agham Youth National, a global anti-incinerator group, and Kalikasan joined the protest.

The Manila Police District, National Capital Region Police Office deployed over 100 police officers, a SWAT team, and used surveillance drones to intimidate the protesters.

The residents’ representatives called for a dialogue with Manila mayor Isko Moreno. When they entered City Hall, the mayor shamelessly insulted them. They were subjected to intentional bureaucratic red tape between different departments and then forced out.

The demolition of houses around Smokey Mountain in Barangay 128, Tondo, started in recent months to make way for the 100 megawatt Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Incineration Plant owned by Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. More than 2,000 families or 23,000 residents and junk traders will lose their homes because of the plant. This project forms part of the extensive Port Modernization along the Manila harbor.

According to the protesters, the demolition was carried out without genuine consultation, humane relocation, or alternative livelihoods. This clearly violates the people’s basic rights.

Furthermore, international institutions have long opposed the WTE project because of its environmental impact and health threats to residents living near the plant.

The residents called for relocation within the city, the scrapping of the Smokey Mountain WTE project, sustainable housing and livelihood programs, and accountability from Manila mayor Isko Moreno, the Marcos regime, and their business partners.