Palace hopes Senate probe into 'Build, Build, Build,' not for 'political grandstanding'
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang expressed its hope that the Senate inquiry into the government's infrastructure projects would be "truly in aid of legislation" and not for "political grandstanding."
Sen. Leila de Lima has filed Senate Resolution 927, which urges the Senate to look into the construction of the P23-billion North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road Project and the P171-billion North-South Commuter Railway Project.
The two projects would displace some 180,000 families due to the massive demolition of houses in at least 38 barangays in Metro Manila.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo raised the possibility that De Lima might be initiating the inquiry in an attempt to attack President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Election season has arrived and with the President's ratings remaining high, the political opposition's recourse is to score political brownie points by foisting demolition and relocation, both gut issues on the part of the urban poor, to attack the President," Panelo said in a statement.
The Malacañang spokesman added that the government is expecting concerned officials to attend the Senate hearing to inform the public that the projects are "definitely in order."
According to Panelo, feasibility studies have been conducted, including the impact on the economy and living conditions of affected residents, before the construction projects were approved.
"Hence, we are certain that agencies of the government involved have taken the concerns raised in consideration and will continue to coordinate and work hand in hand to protect each and every interest subject of these concerns," Panelo said.
De Lima, on the other hand, pointed out that such infrastructure projects rarely mention social costs, particularly the physical and economic displacement of thousands of people.
"Some residents of Sampaloc, Manila have long been apprehensive of their forcible eviction and relocation to give way for the construction of these projects," De Lima said.
The senator added that concerned agencies have failed to consult with the residents about the right-of-way negotiations.
De Lima, chair of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, stressed that the relocation of affected residents to unfamiliar locales would result in zero-to-low occupancy rates of housing projects.
"The government should ensure that the rights and interests of the people, first and foremost, are safeguarded and protected, and as such, should exercise due diligence and exhaust all possible alternatives prior to the development of any infrastructure project that involves the acquisition of private lands and the relocation of its inhabitants," she said.
The two construction projects, which are part of the Duterte administration's centerpiece Build, Build, Build program, are scheduled to roll out this year. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
- Latest
- Trending
