Legislator ‘blasts’ government plan on informal settlers
A LAWMAKER slammed Tuesday the administration for being “insensitive” to the plight of the poor following Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson’s statement that the government is prepared to “blast” homes of informal settlers near waterways.
“Is this the ‘tuwid na daan’ [straight path] this administration is boasting about – haphazardly instructing the DPWH to blast homes to clear waterways? It is downright deplorable, insensitive, and anti-poor,” Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond Palatino said in a press statement.
During the presentation of the P325-billion flood control program of the government, Singson drew flak from activists and urban poor groups after saying that he received instructions from President Benigno Aquino III to “blast” houses and structures in waterways in Metro Manila.
The plan was in response to the recent heavy flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces brought about by the southwest monsoon.
“It is such an insensitive remark, as the poor are the real victims in the recent floods. Poverty has driven these families to live in such places; if they had a choice, they would be more than glad to move,” Palatino said.
Malacanang on Tuesday came to the defense of Singson, saying the government has no intention to cause harm on informal settlers.
“Rest assured that violence is not part of the equation (to clear waterways),” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
She said Singson would be willing to clarify his statements and she also believed that the DPWH chief was only taken out of context.
“I did hear Secretary Singson on radio this morning and he was explaining that he made that statement in reference to the Pampanga Delta flooding and how that was conducted in order to quicken flood waters to subside,” Valte said.
Singson said he is not a violent person and he would not think of blowing up slum areas. He added that he was not referring to houses but to dikes.
He said the government would have to relocate some 195,000 families from waterways in Metro Manila and around Laguna Lake.
He noted that there are some 125,000 families living along Metro Manila waterways, while at least 70,000 families living around Laguna Lake.
“These areas are high risk and no people should be living there,” he added.
Palatino, meanwhile, said the government should change its policy on urban resettlement.
Citing the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, the party-list lawmaker said the government should take into consideration “the degree of availability of basic services and facilities, their accessibility and proximity to job sites and other economic opportunities” when relocating informal settlers.
“Address the jobs crisis, the staggering low wages, the shrinking budget for housing and at the forefront, the issue of landlessness in the rural areas that has driven thousands of Filipinos to search for non-existent jobs in Metro Manila,” Palatino added.
According to the Department of Interior and Local Government, some 556,000 families are set to be displaced due to various government development projects in Metro Manila, including the construction of new business districts, infrastructures, and expansion of roads.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/08/14/legislator-blasts-government-plan-informal-settlers-237424
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Yats Restaurant and Wine Lounge
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
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3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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