2 infra projects may displace 180,000 families – De Lima

Two multibillion-peso projects under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program will displace about 180,000 families, according to opposition Sen. Leila de Lima.

The detained senator is seeking a Senate inquiry into the plan to demolish thousands of houses to pave the way for the construction of the P171-billion North-South Commuter Railway Project and the P23-billion North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEx-SLEx) Connector Road Project.

Senate Resolution No. 927

In proposing Senate Resolution No. 927, De Lima, chair of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, wants to look into the social cost of the projects.

“Mega-infrastructure projects such as these rarely, if at all, mention the social costs of these endeavors, particularly the physical and economic displacement of thousands of people just to give way for their construction in Metro Manila’s densely populated areas,” she said in a statement.

She cited apprehensions of residents in Manila’s Sampaloc district about looming forcible eviction and relocation in their communities.

Projects’ rollout

“They have repeatedly stressed that the concerned agencies have failed to adequately consult with them concerning the right-of-way negotiations,” De Lima said.

The NLEx-SLEx project and the North-South railway project are to be rolled out this year.

De Lima said the projects would result in the demolition of houses and shops in at least 38 barangays in Manila and displace about 180,000 families.