Bulacan folk nix relocation of Metro informal settlers

STA. MARIA, Bulacan – Hundreds of residents here, including students from private high schools, staged a rally last Wednesday afternoon to oppose the relocation of informal settlers from Metro Manila to their town.

The protesting residents were joined by local leaders like Mayor Bartolome Ramos and Rep. Reylina Nicolas, who vowed to support them.

Ramos told The STAR that he would withdraw his endorsement for the proposed socialized housing project in Barangay Caysio, saying the town is not yet ready for the entry of the informal settlers.

Last August, Ramos issued an endorsement, which was kept hidden until a municipal councilor distributed copies of it when the mayor tried to stop the project late last year.

The document, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, stated that Ramos’ office was endorsing the land in Barangay Caysio to the National Housing Authority (NHA) as a preferred site for a socialized housing project “under its program for homeless marginal and low-income families in Metro Manila and surrounding urban areas, including the municipality of Sta. Maria.”

Ramos signed the endorsement on Aug. 7 last year, but he seemed to have a change of heart as he vetoed the Sangguniang Bayan’s resolution approving the land reclassification in Barangay Caysio for the project.

Ramos now said that he endorsed the project for purposes of socialized housing and not for informal settlers.

Nicolas said she is also against the relocation of informal settlers from Metro Manila in her hometown, stressing that she supports the clamor of her constituents.

Meanwhile, a provincial board member, who sought anonymity, told The STAR that the rally in Sta. Maria was preemptive.

The board member said the land reclassification resolution of the Sta. Maria municipal council was submitted to them only early this month.  

“We haven’t decided on it, but there are people who are already calling us not to approve the resolution,” he said.

Although the Sta. Maria rally was a show of force against the possible entry of informal settlers, he said the provincial board still has to decide on the land reclassification resolution.