2021 National Human Rights Situation Report 45 178 The ESCR Center endorsed to CHR NCR a request to investigate and facilitate a multisectoral dialogue on the plight of urban poor families (whose composition was 10 percent older persons and 60 percent youth and children) who were forcibly evicted in Paranaque City to give way to a government development project. It was alleged that while affected families were allowed by the Parañaque City Government to temporarily stay at [a gym], they were eventually displaced due to their high exposure to COVID-19. Alternative housing and relocation were not provided thereafter, constraining the families to build living spaces fronting the gym with no adequate access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. 179 The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued on 02 April 2020 Memorandum Circular No. 2020-068 postponing all demolition and eviction activities and directing local government units to ensure that all homeless citizens within their respective jurisdictions are properly accommodated. Said memorandum was lifted only on 11 March 2021 through DILG Memorandum No. 2021-031. Verily, at the time of the purported demolition, Memorandum Circular No. 2020-068 was still in force. No demolition and eviction should have been carried out and the families evicted should be protected by virtue of the said memorandum. If the eviction was legally enforced, there should be provisions on alternative housing and relocation, as well as provisions on adequate water and sanitation systems to minimize the risk and exposure of the affected families to COVID-19. CHR NCR was requested to consider the conduct of an investigation to determine among others whether or not the demolition has a legal basis; and if concerned government officials and offices could be criminally or administratively liable. 180 The Urban Mission Areas Development Office of the City of Parañaque replied to the letter sent by CHR NCR, stating that the allegations were not true and members were “asked to self-dismantle their structure for they are DISQUALIFIED from being beneficiary of the relocation program provided to those affected by the said project because some of them are either new dwellers based on the censused date by National Housing Authority and/ or returnees which already have relocation;” that relief goods and financial assistance were provided after the said summary demolition” and that “they will be provided of goods this quarantine period;” and that “their request to be relocated will be tackled at the Parañaque City Housing Board once it is convened and there is already an initial agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways for additional assistance.” 160 Right to Education 181 In 2020, about 11.3 percent of the population aged 5 years old and over had a college degree or higher. Females tend to have higher completion of a college degree or higher (13.6%) compared to males (9.0%). About one out of five (21.2%) had completed junior high school, followed by 20.7 percent who were elementary undergraduates, and the least had no grade completed (2.3 %). Across regions, NCR had the highest proportion of college graduates, or higher at 17.5 percent, followed by CAR (15.7%) and Region IICagayan Valley (15.4%).161 182 About two in every three (68.3%) persons aged 3 to 24 years old were enrolled or attending school in SY 2020-2021. Top three (3) regions with higher proportion of school attendance were observed in Region VIII-Eastern Visayas (72.7%), MIMAROPA (72.5%), and 160 Commission on Human Rights Human Rights Centers Management Office Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Center. (2021). Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Situation Report from January to June 2021 161 Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021, June). 2020 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey.