649 squatter families from Pasay now Caviteños

MANILA, Philippines–More than 600 families have been relocated from Maricaban Creek in Pasay City as part of the government’s ongoing program to clear the clogged waterways in Metro Manila and mitigate the effects of perennial flooding during the rainy season.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said on Thursday that a total of 649 informal settler families had been provided with “safe, decent and affordable” houses since the government launched “Oplan Likas (Lumikas para Iwas Kalamidad at Sakit)” last year.

According to him, the affected individuals voluntarily agreed to be relocated to the resettlement site in Barangay (village) Hugo, Trece Martires City, in Cavite province.

“Through Oplan Likas, we’re able to provide an opportunity [for] our people to live in safe communities,” Roxas said in a statement.

He added: “Floods affect all of us. It does not spare shanties or even structures made of concrete or wood. That’s why we should help each other.”

On Wednesday, Roxas led the turnover of the 3-meter easement along Maricaban Creek to officials of Barangays 180 and 183.

The creek, he said, was among the eight major waterways in the metropolis which should be cleared of illegal structures as recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The seven others were the Pasig River, Estero de Maypajo, San Juan River, Manggahan Floodway, Estero Tripa Galina, Tullahan River and Estero de Sunog Apog.

“The clearing of the Maricaban Creek also makes way for the implementation of the Metro Manila Flood Control Project of the DPWH which includes the dredging of rivers, improvement of urban drainage system and dike or river wall construction and excavation,” Roxas said.

“People should be reminded of their responsibilities to nature and renew their sense of ownership [for] their surroundings,” he added.

Roxas said the local government and barangay councils should ensure that no illegal structures would be built on the concrete easement of the cleared waterways, which should be marked as danger zones.