TAGUIG RAILROAD TRACKS CLEARED – VP NOLI
May 9, 2008

Government has completely cleared the Taguig City segment of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) tracks of shanties and other illegal structures. This is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s priority program to decongest Metro Manila and pave the way for the development of rail linkage project. At the same time provide regular shelter tenure to informal settler families under the President’s Asset Reform Program.

This was announced by Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro following the formal turnover of the cleared right-of-way by National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Federico Laxa to PNR General Manager Jose Ma. Sarasola.

The clearing operation, spanning Barangays Western Bicutan, Bagong Tanyag and Bagumbayan in Taguig, is part of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project (NSLP).

According to the Vice President, who is overseeing the operation as Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), some 2,639 families were relocated from the area.

Of these families, 479 were relocated to Sta. Rosa, Laguna; 1,762 to Trece Martires, Cavite ; while 398 were given assistance under the Balik-Probinsya program.

The voluntary relocation to Trece Martires started on July 10, 2007, and to Sta.Rosa on March 26 this year.

Illegal commercial structures were dismantled from July 12 to 20 last year, after the owners and occupants were given their formal notices.

De Castro said he personally informed the residents about the relocation and monitored the clearing operations.

“We have been conducting social preparation activities here and at the relocation sites since 2006 to ensure the welfare of the affected families,” he said.

Each beneficiary family is entitled to a P165, 000 loan for their house and lot package, payable in 30 years at P200 per month, with a one-year moratorium on amortization payments upon relocation.

They also get a P5,000 assistance for water and power connection fees, plus trucking and manpower assistance.

Families who availed of the Balik-Probinsya program each received an assistance worth P21,000.

Qualified families are those who are included in the census and have passed the screening of the Beneficiary Selection Awards and Arbitration Committee (BSAAC) chaired by the NHA, with the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), HUDCC, PNR, Commission on Human Rights, local government units, concerned barangays, the Homeless People’s Federation and Urban Poor Associates as members.

Some 803 families were disqualified for relocation. The Taguig City government provided each with a P2, 000 financial assistance and food assistance, while an in-city relocation project was made available to those who are financially able.

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