Pasig Mayor Sotto: Informal settlers’ relocation a human rights issue

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto acknowledged the problem of illegal settlers in the city but also stressed that it is a human rights issue that must be dealt with humanely. 

"'Yung pinag-uusapan po natin ay ang karapatang pantao," Sotto said in an interview on GMA News’ Bawal Ang Pasaway with host Solita "Winnie" Monsod on Tuesday.

He said that many of the people living as informal settlers along West Bank Road and along Marikina River accept that they will eventually have to leave because the areas are "danger zones."

“Pero hindi naman pwede yung ginagawa dati na kukunin sila, itatapon sila sa malayong lugar na walang kuryente, walang tubig, walang hanapbuhay. Hindi po makatarungan,” Sotto added. 

Sotto said he is considering allowing the informal settlers to stay in their current residences until the government identifies a convenient relocation site for them.

“Sa ngayon, habang hindi pa nakaka-identify, hindi natin pwedeng parusahan 'yung tao sa kakulangan ng gobyerno,” he said.

According to City Hall data, 5,152 households in Pasig are those of informal settlers as of 2019.

Barangay Santolan resident Alejandro Antonio said that the city government vowed that illegal settlers will be relocated near or around the Pasig City area only.

“Pangako naman sa amin hindi naman daw kami lalayo ng Pasig kung sakaling alisin kami rito. Pwede na rin yun,” Antonio said.

Antonio’s house is a flood-prone area where he said the water reaches more than six feet high during the rainy season.

Sotto also said that the local government is taking "precautionary measures" to keep the illegal setters safe while they await relocation. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News