DILG Central News

Roxas favors near or on-site relocation of informal settlers in MM danger zonesMarch 22, 2013

Manila, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today/March 20 said the government is adopting a near-site or even on-site relocation policy for informal settlers residing along the precarious waterways of Metro Manila.

Roxas said President Aquino himself gave instructions that all relocation strategies of the government agencies should, as a top priority, prevent the displacement of families from their source of livelihood and schools.
“Kaya itong near-site o onsite na relocation ang nakitang solusyon ng Pangulong PNoy. Para sa kanya, hindi dapat malayo ang ating mga kababayan sa kanilang hanapbuhay. Mahalaga din na hindi na lumipat ng paaralan ang mga anak nila,” Roxas said.

The DILG is the key agency that is coordinating with local governments units, civil society organizations, and agencies such as the National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Social Housing Finance in not only ensuring safe and permanent housing sites, but also for the provision of basic services and livelihood programs for families living in the so-called “danger zones” of the metropolis.

These “danger zones” are communities located near or along the tributaries of Manila Bay. People living there are most prone to disasters brought about by sudden silt and deposit flows that occur mostly during raining seasons.

Data from the Metro Manila Development Authority said that as of 2011, a total of 104,219 families are living in high-risk areas. Roxas said about 19,440 families were identified as residing along eight waterways that are deemed very hazardous.

They are located along the San Juan River (4,217 families), Pasig River (1,434), Tullahan River (3,683), Maricaban Creek (1,637), Manggahan Floodway (2,997), Estero Tripa de Gallina (3,887), Estero de Maypajo (1,415), and Estero de Sunog Apog (170).

The DILG chief said, “Ang mga pamilyang ito ang pinapatutukan ng Pangulong PNoy. Sabi ng Pangulo, dapat ‘Zero Casualties’ tayo dito lalo na pag dumating ang tag-ulan.”

Roxas said the government is already developing a prototype project for this near or on-site relocation program. Last February 14, he led the groundbreaking rites for a housing project that will benefit about 120 families currently living in shanties along the Estero de San Miguel in Manila.

The housing project consists of several medium-rise buildings to be erected in two sites: one in Barangay 412 Zone 42 in Sampaloc and another at the corner of J.P. Laurel and Legarda Streets in San Miguel.

The buildings will cover a total land area of about 3,000 square meters. Once constructed, beneficiary families will be able to live in 16-square-meter housing units.

“Itong proyektong ito ang magsisilbing modelo sa sinasabi nating near o on-site relocation. Magpapatayo tayo ng gusali na maari nilang tirhan. Hindi na sila kailangang ilayo. At higit sa lahat, masisiguro natin ang kanilang kaligtasa,” Roxas said.

Roxas said the project is part of the P10-billion fund that President Aquino ordered to be released this year for informal settler-families in Metro Manila. He said next year, another P10-billion will be used to sustain the relocation program for residents living in danger zones such as esteros and other waterways.###

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