135 families moved out of Pasig River

A total of 135 families in Baranggay Valenzuela, Makati were recently forced out and their houses demolished by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) as part of the ongoing clean up of the historic river.

The demolition took place after Regional Trial Court Branch 66 of Makati City rejected the petition of the affected families for a temporary restraining order.

Judge Ricardo Rosario, in his three-page decision, ruled that a TRO or injunction cannot be issued "in a controversy or dispute involving an infrastructure project or natural resource project of the government" as guaranteed under Presidential Decree 1818.

Rosario also defended the action of the PRRC, saying that it was justified as it was being carried out in accordance with its mandate to rehabilitate the Pasig River.

The rehabilitation work being implemented by the PRRC includes the establishment of a uniform 10-meter easement along the banks of the river.

In order to accomplish this, it was necessary for the PRRC to clear out houses and other structures.

As part of the actual clean up of the river, the PRRC has also established a flood control program, which judge Rosario explained is "undeniably an infrastructure project falling within the purview of PD 1818."

Makati Mayor Elenita Binay noted that the displaced families will be relocated to a number of resettlement areas predetermined by the PRRC in association with the National Housing Authority.

She noted that the former settlers who voluntarily left their homes along the river banks are now located in the resettlement areas located in Taguig, Barrio Osorio, Trece Martirez, Cavite and San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal. According to Binay, Barangay Valenzuela was the eighth barangay to be cleared of illegal settlers. -- Marvin Sy