Vitas tenement in Tondo slated for demolition

The Manila City government issued a demolition order that would affect thousands of families at the Vitas tenement in Tondo amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the city government issued the order last week.

Under the order, residents will have to vacate their dwelling units within 15 days.

The National Housing Authority said the 27 buildings need need to be demolished as they have consumed their lifespan. The buildings have been in the area for three decades.

The NHA said it is planning to put up nine high-rise buildings from the original four-storey buildings.

Meanwhile, residents appealed to the government as they have no place to go amid the health crisis.

“Pandemic ngayon, walang masakyan, paano at saan kami pupunta? ‘Yon ang sabi ko,” Josie Rose said.

Police Staff Sergeant Mariano “Neil Perez” Flormata, who also lived in the tenement, said the demolition was appalling because residents have yet to be relocated.

“Siyempre maraming memories doon. Grade 1 pa lang doon na ako nakatira at tsaka naaawa ako sa mga kapitbahay ko na mawalan sila matitirhan kasi ang daming pamilya doon at tsaka maraming mahihirap talaga doon,” he said.

“Marami ring tiga doon na nawalan ng trabaho so sana mabigyan pansin din po kasi talagang walang-wala mga tao sa amin,” he added.

So far, actual demolition activities have yet to begin as the city government is still trying to find a relocation site.

GMA News reached out to NHA for comment but has yet to respond as of writing.—Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News