FOREWORD INSTITUTE FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY Housing and urban development in Metro Manila is reaching a critical juncture. More and more Filipinos are migrating to the expanding metropolis to escape rural poverty in search of livelihoods and greater opportunities for their families. Although this influx is neither an abrupt nor unfamiliar phenomenon to government and policy-makers, the ever-increasing population continues to place considerable strain on infrastructure and essential services within the city. According to a 2011 Report of the Asian Development Bank, approximately 43% of Metro Manila’s 13 million inhabitants live in informal settlements, with no security of tenure. The attendant insecurity of livelihood presents daily pressures for these communities, who are largely disconnected from the policy-making process, facing regular threats of forced eviction and resettlement, and the damaging effects of natural disasters. There is a substantial body of international law that regulates eviction and resettlement of urban poor populations and offers insight into how governments must protect their citizens from the effects of housing-related human rights violations. A considered housing and urban development policy framework that is couched in these values of human rights will provide the fairest possible outcomes for vulnerable communities most affected by insecurity of tenure. This review establishes the international standards applicable during the eviction and resettlement process and determines whether they are effectively enforced in local law, policy and practice. Much headway has already been made in government towards the recognition of a human rights-based approach in the provision of housing, which will be of substantial benefit to urban poor communities who are facing relocation from their homes. However, more needs to be done. Forced evictions and a general disregard for the rights of the urban poor continue to plague the urban development landscape in Metro Manila. We are confident that this review will provide the impetus to push for additional reforms that are necessary to ensure that the human rights of these communities are fully respected. This review and publication is the result of a partnership between the Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD) and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR) to undertake research into the enjoyment of housing-related human rights in Metro Manila. IPD feels that by working together and building on the mutual interests of civil society and government we will be able to pursue an effective and attainable reform agenda and ensure a greater respect for human rights in the Philippines. Patrick I. Patiño Executive Director Institute for Popular Democracy vi