JV Ejercito assures relocation in railway rehab

LUCENA CITY — Residents living along railroad tracks in the country will be given new homes in relocation sites once the government starts rehabilitating and modernizing the local railway system, Sen. JV Ejercito said.

“There will be no demolition without relocation. It’s in the law,” Sen. JV Ejercito, chair of the Senate committee on urban planning, housing and resettlement, told reporters here on Monday.

Ejercito appealed to residents along the tracks to cooperate with government agencies once they were asked to leave their homes.

Greater good

“Everybody should now think of the greater good for the progress and advancement of the country. We have to make some sacrifices,” he said.

The Philippine National Railways’ modernization consists of two phases: north south commuter rail from Tutuban (Manila) to City of Malolos in Bulacan province, and North 2 from Malolos to Clark Freeport in Pampanga province. The PNR south route consists of its commuter line from Manila to Los Baños town in Laguna province, and on to Matnog town in Sorsogon province. —Delfin T. Mallary Jr.