The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Alliance of Poor People, or Kadamay) and People Surge National Alliance of Disaster Survivors launched a protest action before the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) national office on August 4 in Quezon City. They called for compensation for the urban poor affected by successive typhoons.

According to the latest official data, damage to infrastructure reached ₱14 billion and ₱3.3 billion to agriculture due to successive typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong, and the effects of the southwest monsoon. At least 254 cities and municipalities declared their areas in a state of calamity.

The protesters demanded the Marcos regime to immediately implement the distribution of ₱25,000 compensation for every family affected by floods. “Empty promises are not enough while those affected remain submerged, hungry, and without shelter,” Kadamay said.

The group said that despite the destruction of homes, loss of livelihood, and sinking into hunger and uncertainty, the urban poor stood anew to raise their grievances.

“Amid the people’s severe suffering, large corporations and foreign interests continue to amass profits from projects that destroy the urban poor’s livelihood and environment, such as reclamation, quarrying, mining, and large infrastructure. The Marcos Jr regime pushes these projects fully complying with imperialist US dictates,” Kadamay added.

The protesters not only called for the immediate distribution of aid but also for long-term solutions such as safe and affordable housing, guaranteed social services, and the cessation of destructive projects. They also demand the full and transparent use of the ₱41.6 billion United Nations Loss and Damage Fund to support victims and advance climate justice.