Pasig River rehab may displace 10,000 ISFs, relocation vowed

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 10,000 informal settler families (ISFs) may be displaced by the ongoing Pasig River rehabilitation, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said on Wednesday. 

During the unveiling of the Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project, Acuzar admitted that there will be ISFs who will be displaced but emphasized that there will be a relocation project for them. 

“Marami kaya hindi po pwedeng walang programa sa ISF, kasi tatamaan sila ng development. Kaya po yung mga ISF, papalipat po namin sa PPA (Philippine Ports Authority),” said Acuzar.

“Right now, the validation is 5,000, but it could reach up to 10,000,” he added in English and Filipino.

The Pasig Bigyang Buhay Muli project, a pet project of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, is an urban development project aimed at  transforming the Pasig River into an economic hub. 

According to Acuzar, the project, estimated to cost P18 billion, is funded by private entities.

The relocation of the ISFs, however, is not covered by the P18 billion budget, said Acuzar. 

Asked how much the relocation would cost, Acuzar said that it would be P1 million per family. He added that it would also be privately funded.