NHA: Relocation sites for squatters have power, water

MANILA, Philippines –  The three relocation sites in Rodriguez, Rizal for illegal settlers at the North Triangle in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City have “development features” such as power and water supply, contrary to claims by some settlers, according to the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Vice President Jejomar Binay and officials of the NHA inspected the sites in Barangays San Isidro and San Jose in Rodriguez town yesterday.

Based on a briefing paper provided by the NHA, the resettlement sites have underground drainage systems and a septic tank for each house.

The NHA also said the sites will have a school, a health center, a day care center and a public market.

According to the NHA, the three sites have a total land area of 29.03 hectares. There are a total of 5,661 lots, each measuring 32 square meters. Each house will cost P75,000.

Florian de Leon, head of the NHA’s public information office, said the agency cannot accommodate the demand of some illegal settlers for a relocation site within Quezon City because there is no more space in Metro Manila.

Violence erupted Thursday morning after illegal settlers clashed with a demolition team of the NHA, which owns the North Triangle property. They blocked a portion of EDSA and caused traffic to be backed up for several kilometers.

Later that day, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Ma. Luisa Padilla issued a temporary restraining order effective for a day.

On Friday, President Aquino ordered the demolition suspended. A group of illegal settlers submitted a petition for an injunction to the court during another hearing the same day.

A lawyer representing the Maralitang Nagkaisa ng Metroside San Roque, North Triangle, said his clients would agree to voluntarily vacate their homes if they would be given an “in-city” relocation site.

Based on NHA data, 3,075 families from Sitio San Roque have resettled in Rodriguez town.