MANILA, Philippine — The city government of Malabon will be clearing 3.5 hectares of what used to be a fishpond area in Potrero of both informal settlers and water pollutants, within the year, to open the area to more business establishments, according to Mayor Tito Oreta.

Oreta said on Monday that a large section of the Tullahan River in Potrero, Malabon would also be dredged to make way for more businesses in the area.

Oreta said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources agreed to lend them heavy equipment to clear the former fishpond area, which has been unable to support marine life.

In line with this, he said, about 30,000 to 50,000 informal settlers in the 3.5 hectare property will also be relocated to make way for commercial ventures there.