February 5, 2026 — The Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA) vehemently denounces R-II Builders, Inc. (R-II) for violating its commitment to cease forced demolitions in Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila. This comes less than a week after declaring in the House of Representatives (HOR) through legal representative Attorney Jerome Canlas that the status quo will be upheld with no demolitions.
Residents of Smokey Mountain are fighting to hold R-II to account by documenting demolitions and harassment. Disturbing footage surfaced on February 3 showing armed personnel forcibly dismantling homes. Among the victims is 60-year-old Sonia Rebadulla, a solo parent who was devastated to find her home dismantled after a dental checkup.
On 28 January 2026, the HOR Subcommittee on the Presidential Proclamations of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development called for a multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss allegations of illegal demolitions and displacement of community members in Smokey Mountain. Reports, videos, and photographs of the demolitions conducted by armed personnel have circulated since August 2025. Named as joint perpetrators are R-II, Barangay 128, and the assigned court receiver in an ongoing dispute over land ownership with the National Housing Authority (NHA).
R-II disputed the claims and committed to maintaining the status quo, with no demolitions. Canlas also promised that processes aligned with the law will be followed, and that decisions made with the upcoming local inter-agency committee on the matter will be complied with.
Atty. Jerome Canlas, R-II Builders, mentioned during the Congressional Hearing, “Para po matahimik tayong lahat and in reference po to the Subcommittee and Committee on Housing, wala na po muna. Status quo, wala kaming … Itutuloy lang namin yung wala kami na ginagawa na pag-demolition. Hindi po kasi totoo ‘yun.”
Representatives Roy M. Gonzales, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on the Presidential Proclamations, and Manila 1st District Representative Ernesto M. Dionisio Jr. welcomed R-II’s commitment.
“Atty. Canlas, we have your words. Napakinggan n’yo po ang mensahe ni Atty. Canlas from R-II Builders na magiging panatag kayo until mag-convene po ang LiAC. Nagbigay na po ng statement si Atty. Canlas, representative ng R-II here in Congress. On record po ‘yan that there will be no demolition, status quo,” said Rep. Roy M. GoA
A Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) is a mechanism established in the Philippines to coordinate the relocation and resettlement of Informal Settler Families (ISFs), particularly those in danger areas, in compliance with Republic Act No. 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 (UDHA). LIACs ensure humane, orderly relocation, involving local government units (LGUs) and national agencies. Affected communities assert they want to be part of LIAC from the very beginning of the process because relocation is not an option, stating that the land is legally protected under Proclamation 39 that formed the Smokey Mountain Development and Reclamation Plan (SMDRP) as a mixed land for commercial and housing settlement for the urban poor.
During the meeting, community leader Elena Plaza of Nagkakaisa at Nagdadamayang Marala Organization (NANAMOR) pleaded for demolitions to stop and for the intent of Presidential Proclamation 39 for low-cost housing to be fully realized. She also emphasized the lack of a Deed of Conveyance given to R-II to contest their claim of land ownership.
“Ipatupad po yung Proclamation 39 at itigil po yung ilegal na demolition. Itigil din po yung pagpapahirap sa amin na bawal mangalakal, bawal ipasok ang kalakal, na pinipigilan yung hanapbuhay. Bawal pumunta yung mga tao na tumutulong sa amin. Itigil po sana yun kasi po kami ay tao. May karapatan po kami, pero ano’ng ginagawa nila sa amin? Hindi pa nila ipinapakita ang Deed of Conveyance at Compliance pero ginigipit na nila kami, said Elena Plaza of NANAMOR.
Smokey Mountain was identified as land of the public domain for a housing project under Presidential Proclamation 39, signed in 1992. R-II was part of a joint venture agreement with the NHA to implement this through the Smokey Mountain Development and Reclamation Project (SMDRP). Due to various difficulties faced in realizing the SMDRP, the Smokey Mountain land was placed in an asset pool to help finance the initiative. R-II now claims ownership over these assets, a move questioned by former congressman Neri Colmenares, the Commission on Audit, and various civil society organizations.
In February 2025, an illegal waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator was proposed at Smokey Mountain with R-II’s sister companies, Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. (PhilEco) and Manila Integrated Environment Corporation (MIEC). Residents claim that no public consultations have been conducted about the project, and that it is a major reason why armed personnel have been threatening them to leave their homes. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has yet to respond to this issue despite several appeals made to his office.
The Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA) was launched in September 2025 with affected community members and concerned groups in response to the illegal demolitions and proposed WTE plant.
Quotes
Anora Madrid, Samahan ng Magkakapitbahay sa Upper Smokey Mountain
“Hindi na po kami nakakatulog dahil kahit gabi, iniikutan kami ng barangay at kinakabahan na kami dahil baka sa gabi masunog na lang kami bigla dito. Mga walang respeto itong RII Builders na kakuntsaba ng barangay. Nangako silang tigil ang demolisyon hangga’t walang konsultasyon pero ano itong ginagawa nila? Inuubos nila kami bago pa man ang konsultasyon?”
Marife Hulipaz, Sama-sama Para Tungo sa Maayos na Tahanan at Hanapbuhay
“Hindi na nahabag sa amin itong RII-Builders. Matapos kaming paikut-ikutin ng mga ahensya sa city hall ng Maynila at makakita kami ng pag-asa sa Kongreso, babalewalain ninyo rin naman pala ang pangako ninyo. Wala na kayong ginagalang na batas. Sinasagad na ninyo kaming mga maralita.”
Maciy Laurente, Bayan Manila
“Ang pagtatayo ng WTE sa Smokey Mountain ay makakasira sa kabuhayan, kalusugan, paninirahan at maski edukasyon ng mga maralita lalo na sa Maynila at ayon sa mga pag-aaral ay maaari rin makaapekto sa mga karatig -bayan. Malaking kalabagan sa batas ang ginagawa ng R-2 Builders ni Reghis Romero, ni Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno at ng mga national agencies lalo’t lalo na ang DENR, MMDA at DoE sa malawak na komunidad ng Tondo. Labag ito sa Clean Air Act of 1999 (R.A. 8749) Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (R.A. 9003), Urban Development & Housing Act of 1992 (R.A. 7279) at lalong lalo na sa 1987 Philippine Constitution, Artikulo 13, Seksyon 9 at 10. Ang Smokey Mountain ah protektado ng Proclamation 39 kaya’t walang karapatan ang RII Builders sa pagkamkam nito sa lupa. Ibasura ang Joint Venture Agreement ng gobyerno sa RII Builders. Bigyang prayoridad dapat ng pamahalaan ang mga batayang karapatan ng mamamayan at hindi lamang ng iilan. Serbisyo sa tao! Wag gawing negosyo!”
Chinito Reel Casicas – Local Convenor, RebootPH & Manila Youth for Climate Action,
“Wala dapat lugar ang sapilitang demolisyon para bigyang daan lang ang marumi at pekeng solusyon tulad ng incineration sa paghahangad na tugunan ang krisis sa basura, klima, at enerhiya. Ang mga ganitong proyekto na nakakalusot at pinahihintulutan nang wala o hindi maayos na konsultasyon ay indikasyon ng baluktot na direksyon ng pamahalaan sa usaping pang-klima at kalikasan.
Tumitindig ang RebootPH at MYCA kasama ang komunidad ng Smokey Mountain at karatig lugar sa pagtatanggol ng kanilang tahanan, dignidad, at karapatan para sa patas na bukas.
Tutulan ang incineration para sa patas at makatarungang Maynila!”
Google Drive Folder of Photos and Videos: 20260205 – MAIA Denounces R-II Builders
About MAIA
The Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA) is a coalition of community organizations and advocates opposing incineration and false solutions, and advancing zero waste, environmental justice, and the rights of urban poor communities.
MAIA’s position is firm, unified, and grounded in community-led resistance. MAIA reiterates its demands:
- Uphold the national ban on incineration as stated in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and Clean Air Act.
- Immediately stop violent evictions and ensure on-site, in-city housing in Smokey Mountain.
- End intimidation, fencing, and harassment by private security and barangay personnel.
Click this link for the community petition: https://c.org/NsrxPwFJmG
Media contact
Robi Kate Miranda, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives Asia Pacific Communications Officer, robi@no-burn.org
