Caloocan relocates 100 families displaced by PNR project

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri facilitated yesterday the in-city relocation of some 100 families affected by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Southrail project.

The temporary settlers from the city’s 21 barangays were brought to the 10-hectare Northville II-B resettlement site in Barangay 171 in Bagumbong.

Vice President Noli de Castro, concurrent chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Council, witnessed the initial voluntary relocation and led the ceremonial turnover of house keys to at least 100 squatter families who used to live near the railroad tracks from Sangandaan to 2nd Avenue, Echiverri said.

He said records of the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO) show around 2,220 families are affected by the PNR’s North and Southrail linkages development project in the city.

Echiverri said the affected families were given a relocation site near schools and marketplaces and with provisions for electricity and potable water.

He said each family was given a house with an average lot area of 32 square meters and a floor area of 18 square meters.

Alexander Bernadette, UPAO chief, said each relocated family was provided enough food for three days and microfinancing assistance to start a small business.

Echiverri earlier authorized the release of P110 million for land, land improvement and socialized housing for residents, particularly temporary settlers as part of the city government’s development projects.   –Pete Laude, Jerry Botial