PASAY CITY, July 8, (PIA) - - Some 1,500 informal settler families (ISFs) living in danger zones of Pasay City have been relocated under the Oplan Likas of the city government, and, the relocation is still going on.
Pasay City Urban Development and Housing Office (UDHO) head Atty. Paul Vega reported that under Oplan Likas, Pasay City recorded the highest number of families relocated.
The 1,500 families or more than 5,000 individuals that were relocated were living on top and within a three-meter easement zone from waterways' edges which are classified as danger zones.
“Maricaban creek is already 85 percent cleared and we are targeting zero ISFs (in this area) on August 15. Hopefully, we can also totally clear Tripa de Galina by March 2015,” Vega said.
He added that the ISFs have already been relocated to NHA housing projects in Trece Martirez City, Cavite.
Approximately 2,000 families remain, to be relocated before the end of the year.
On his part, Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto lauded the “massive partnership” between Pasay UDHO and the National Government that resulted in the successful and peaceful relocation of ISFs.
“Even with the start of the rainy season, we are continuing the relocation of families of informal settlers whose lives are endangered by the rise of floodwaters. With this, we can help lower flood levels in Metro Manila and lower the risk of casualties during flooding,” Calixto said.
Calixto called on the Barangay Captains of the cleared areas to keep the waterways free of obstructions and safeguard what has been accomplished. “I will hold the barangay captains personally responsible if new structures are allowed to be built,” he stressed.
Oplan Likas aims to relocate ISFs living along danger zones, such as, areas near creek, rivers and esteros in various parts of Metro Manila to a safe, decent and affordable housing unit as part of President Benigno Aquino III's "Covenant with the Poor."
Each relocated family were given affordable housing units worth P240,000 by the National Housing Authority and P18,000 financial assistance from the DILG and DSWD. Food packs and medical kits were also given during the course of relocation.
The social preparation, transportation, and manpower assistance to and from the housing site in Cavite were handled by Pasay UDHO.
Earlier, the DILG-National Capital Region hailed the Pasay City Government’s successful Informal Settler Relocation program as a “best practice” that should be replicated by other Local Government Units. DILG cited Pasay”s peaceful demolition of informal settler families and their orderly transfer to relocation sites. (Pasay PIO/RJB/LFB/PIA-NCR)
0 Comments