Ex-Jusmag residents find new life in Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - “We will not be squatters all our lives.”

Thus declared Jaime Dagsil Jr., president of the Samahan ng Magkakapitbahay sa Consular Area, as he talked about his new home in Rodriguez, Rizal where he and his family moved in from the so-called JUSMAG area in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

At least 161 other families considered as informal settlers in the government-owned JUSMAG area joined the Dagsils in availing themselves of the relocation package offered by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

So far, 35 families have volunteered to vacate their respective lots in JUSMAG and transferred to the National Housing Authority-held resettlement site in Rodriguez town, while 32 others availed themselves of the outright cash package.

“Such development starts from the grassroots, where we help the poor attain a better quality of life and dignity that all Filipinos deserve,” said Arnel Casanova, BCDA president and chief executive officer.

Casanova said the BCDA has successfully provided the settlers with adequate assistance to start a new life with dignity.

Dagsil expressed deep appreciation for BCDA’s efforts to give new homes to informal settlers like himself.

“I’m really thankful to BCDA for giving me the opportunity to own a house which I had never imagined to happen,” added Dagsil.