Extend term of Pinatubo body for 2 more years, Congress urged

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga -- Mt. Pinatubo Commission (MPC) executive director Art Sampang has urged the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) on Mt. Pinatubo to support pending bills extending the term of his agency beyond December this year.

Sampang cited the need to document and title some 52,000 lots to lahar victims now at 24 resettlement sites in Central Luzon, as one of the major reasons why the MPC's term should be extended for at least two more years.

The MPC, created in 1993, was supposed to have folded up in 1998 until former President Ramos extended its term by another two years up to December this year.

Sampang pointed out, however, that while some 50,000 lahar-displaced families have already been resettled, no less than 7,000 other families are awaiting resettlement.

He said the MPC is still "revalidating" the resettled families "to formalize their housing awards" at the resettlement sites.

Some 20,600 more families have to be revalidated, a process which, Sampang said, is necessary for the individual titling of resettlement lots.

"Pending the devolution of the resettlement areas to appropriate agencies and concerned local government units, the MPC has to remain in charge of administering on a day-to-day basis the 24 resettlement communities with an aggregate population of 240,000 individuals," Sampang said.

Sampang said the completion of all "residual works" at resettlement sites is a "critical component" in preparation for the sites' turnover to various line government agencies and local government units.

He said road and drainage networks have to be completed and water and power distribution systems have to be operational before the sites are turned over.