‘Better relocation conditions for North Triangle settlers’

But several families still refusing offer

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay promises better relocation conditions in Rodriguez, Rizal for those who are still living in the shanty town in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Bagong Pag-asa.

In a press release, Binay said the National Housing Authority and the local government are now resolving complaints raised by those who have already volunteered to transfer there.

Some have complained of lack of electricity, potable water, hospital, school, transport terminal and livelihood programs.

Despite these, some families insists on remaining in Sitio San Roque in Quezon City where a violent clash happened on Thursday.

The riots injured 11 people and snarled traffic for hours on the northbound lane of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue after informal settlers blocked the highway.

In the afternoon, a local trial court judge issued a temporary restraining order to stop the demolition.

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III also suspended the relocation of the families living in the shanty town.

"Itinigil po muna namin ang relokasyon sa utos ni Pangulong Noynoy. Subalit, taos-puso pa rin po naming tinatanggap ang mga pamilya na nais nang lumipat at boluntaryong pumunta rito," Binay said.

NHA said that out of 8,968 families in North Triangle, 3,369 are now in Southville 8C and 71 others are in Southville 8B in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Southville 8B also houses several of those who were affected by typhoon Ondoy.

“Tayo po ay magtatapatan. Sasabihin ninyo ang inyong mga karaingan at sasabihin din namin ang makakaya naming gawin. Hindi po kami mangangako ng anumang hindi namin kayang ibigay,” Binay told the families during his visit at the relocation site on Saturday.

Binay said he has already coordinated with Oscar Reyes, Manila Electric Co. chief operating officer, to earmark P30.4 million for electrification in Southville.

Rizal Mayor Cecilio Hernandez, for his part, said Manila Water is already in the process of drilling deep wells that would supply water for the Southville area.

By 2012, Southville will already be sourcing its water from La Mesa Dam.

Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III assured the residents that Manila Water would install pipelines that would connect each housing unit to the water source. He added that the installation would start around late November or early December this year.

The local government is also planning to build a hospital and a school, organize a transport cooperative and create livelihood programs.

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