Caloocan gov’t to help relocatees

MANILA, Philippines—With two major road projects set to start in Caloocan City threatening to displace hundreds of residents, the local government has formed a group aimed at ensuring that the construction will go smoothly and those affected will be protected.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan recently issued Executive Order No. 034 which establishes the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) which would focus on the effects on residents of the construction of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Phase 2, or the Manila North Harbor Link, and the C-5 Link Segment 10 Project.

The order specifically aims to “ensure the delivery of the (project’s) right-of-way acquisition, as well as to provide a just, humane and orderly relocation of affected families within a prescribed timeline.”

Malapitan said he expected the committee to help families uprooted by the projects to be seamlessly integrated into a new community also within the city.

“We activated the LIAC because we are not only after the rehousing of our affected residents, more particularly the informal settler families, but we also aim to revive their livelihoods and rebuild their communities, their environment and their social capital,” he added in a statement.

At present, the city government said at least eight barangays (villages) in the city would be affected by the two projects which would connect the Port Area, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela to the NLEX. Both are expected be finished by 2015.

The city government has yet to identify the barangays concerned and estimate how many families will be displaced by the project.

However, Malapitan assured affected residents of relocation within the city.

The committee will be led by the mayor with representatives coming from the eight affected barangays, National Housing Authority, Philippine National Police, Housing and Urban Development Council, Philippine National Railways, Northrail Corporation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Toll Regulatory Board, Manila North Tollways Corp., Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Education.