Relocation starts for informal settlers in QC, San Juan

MANILA, Philippines— The Department of Interior and Local Government [DILG] has started its relocation efforts for 4,000 of the 20,000 informal settlers living along major waterways in Metro Manila, its official told Radyo Inquirer 990AM on Monday.

In an interview, DILG-National Capital Region director Renato Brion said that relocation efforts for some of the informal settlers living in the cities of Quezon and San Juan started last week.

Shanties of informal settlers line the waterways of Metro Manila. INQUIRER file photo

Brion said informal settlers from four villages in the said cities were just waiting to be relocated.

Families living in makeshift homes obstructing the metropolis’ major waterways are being offered P18,000 worth of transition support fund.

Brion maintained that the amount was “enough” and was based on the “cost of day-to-day living” in Metro Manila.

“Our basis was the ordinary cost of day-to-day living. They are mostly sharers or renters. Renting a place along the major waterways cost them P500 to P800. They cannot say that P18,000 is too small,” said the DILG official.

Actual transfer to the relocation sites would be free as the travel expenses would be covered by local government units [LGUs], added Brion.

The agency is prioritizing the relocation of those living along the San Juan River, Tullahan River, Manggahan Floodway, Maricaban Creek, Estero Tripa de Gallina, Pasig River, Estero de Sunog Apog and Estero de Maypajo.