Climate change gives birth to new community

A campus of Cavite State University rises on a six-hectare relocation site for residents of Maragondon town who are living in a danger zone. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The local government of Maragondon town, Cavite province has started a relocation program for settlers living in danger zones along the town’s coastal areas.

In a statement, Mayor Rey Rillo said the local government is making sure that the town’s people, especially those living in coastal communities are protected from the effects of climate change.

Maragondon’s land area of 16,459 hectares makes it Cavite’s largest town.

The mayor said as part of the local government’s plans, in partnership with the private sector, some residents of the village of Sta. Mercedes, which the mayor said is “really a no-build zone,” have been relocated.

They were brought to a new community on six-hectare site near the town proper. It now has finished concrete houses for at least 300 families and a campus of Cavite State University (CSU) that caters exclusively to children of relocated families.

Residents are getting training on dress making, welding, automotive and electronic repair, Rillo said.