Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Christopher Sitson

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774929118046claudia-soraya-3m15w5sirVs-unsplash.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Urban poor groups launch &#x27;Kalbaryo 2026&#x27; at NIA Road Ground Zero. Christopher Sitson, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Over 200 leaders and members of urban poor organizations, together with representatives from non-government and church-based groups, gathered on Holy Tuesday at the site of a massive fire in Quezon City to mark a solemn Lenten observance. </p><p>Set within the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/14/hundreds-of-families-still-in-evacuation-sites-after-massive-fire-in-pinyahan-quezon-city-2301">NIA Road settlement</a> where thousands lost their homes on March 6, the annual Lenten mobilization reinterpreted the traditional &quot;Way of the Cross&quot; as a representation of the urban poor’s continuing struggle against displacement, housing insecurity, and the systemic absence of essential services.</p><p>Participants expressed solidarity in asserting their right to a dignified life.</p><p>Attendees carried symbolic crosses as they marched from the evacuation area to the ground zero, reflecting the burden of unemployment, surging fuel costs, increasing living expenses, and the persistent risk of eviction.</p><p>They urged the government to realize a &quot;Bagong Pag-Asa&quot; (New Hope) through tangible policy reforms rather than rhetoric.</p><p>The event also drew attention to the hardships faced by families relocated to inadequate off-city resettlement areas, where living conditions remain substandard.</p><p>A key demand raised during the activity was the full condonation of principal, penalties, and interest on housing loans for those transferred to areas lacking basic services and sustainable livelihood opportunities.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;PEOPLE&#x27;S PLAN&#x27;</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1774929155755viber_image_2026-03-31_10-13-28.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Urban poor groups launch &#x27;Kalbaryo 2026&#x27; at NIA Road Ground Zero. Christopher Sitson, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>The observance included a mass officiated by Bishop Elias Ayuban of the Diocese of Cubao, during which the community formally presented the &quot;People&#x27;s Plan&quot; and the &quot;NIA Development Plan.&quot;</p><p>“Ang ating paglalakbay ay hindi lamang individual, kung hindi isang kolektibong paglalakbay. Kaya sa panahon ng hirap, pagsubok, kung madama natin na may kasama tayo naging mas magaan ‘yung ating paglalakbay, at ito’y mas nakikita natin sa panahon ng Semana Santa,” said Ayuban.</p><p>A caridad (charitable activity) was also conducted, during which fire victims were provided with light meals such as pandesal, taho, and hard-boiled eggs. </p><p>Participants were likewise encouraged to write their prayers on pieces of paper and attach them to the cross.</p><p>“Napapahanga po ako na sa ganitong usapin ng pabahay na malapit sa kanilang puso, hanggang sa mga national issues, tulad ng corruption campaign natin, ibang calls for accountability, tsaka human rights, nariyan po ang urban poor communities na ito. Siguro pinakamaliit na bagay na lang po ay makiisa ako sa issues nila,” said Kiko Aquino Dee, co-convenor of Tindig Pilipinas.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sQkz_Tu8eyo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The groups reinterpreted the traditional "Way of the Cross" as a representation of the urban poor’s continuing struggle against displacement, housing insecurity, and the systemic absence of essential services.</p>

The groups reinterpreted the traditional "Way of the Cross" as a representation of the urban poor’s continuing struggle against displacement, housing insecurity, and the systemic absence of essential services.

Urban poor groups launch 'Kalbaryo 2026' at NIA Road Ground Zero

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Urban poor groups launch 'Kalbaryo 2026' at NIA Road Ground Zero

Christopher Sitson,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 31, 2026 11:52 AM PHT

Read More:

Kalbaryo 2026

NIA Road

NIA Road Ground Zero

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