Residents affected by railway project to be relocated

Residents who would be affected by the North-South Commuter Railway Project (NSCR) are dreading their impending relocation, according to a "24 Oras" report by Joseph Morong.

On Wednesday, workers began removing the signages along the train tracks, a sign of the looming operation to clear the area for the start of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) project.

A number of houses and establishments in Barangay 349 are expected to be demolished.

“Nakakalungkot ho. Dito na kami tumanda tapos biglang kaming mawawala, tsaka dito nagtatrabaho yung mga anak ko,” said Lourdes Suangco, who has been living near the tracks for 60 years.

(It saddens us because this is where we have grown old, then we will just be uprooted.  My children are also working in the area.)

Some of the residents appealed to be relocated near Metro Manila.

“Wag namang masyadong malayong-malayo. Oo, Bulacan kung pwede. ‘Yung malapit-lapit (We hope they don't take us somewhere too far. Bulacan is okay)," said Corazon Noquez.

PNR chairperson Michael Macapagal said that relocation work would begin in April. 

“Ang order ni Presidente at ang order ni Secretary, kung sila ay inalis sa Laguna, dapat ilipat din sa Laguna. Kung inalis sila sa Manila, dapat ilipat din sila sa Manila,” said Macapagal.

(The President and the Secretary ordered that if they were removed from Laguna, they should be relocated within Laguna. If they were removed from Manila, they should also be relocated within Manila)

The Department of Transportation added that the relocation would be gradual for a smoother transition.

“… these clearing activities are only confined to the removal and retrieval of railroad tracks, fencing of the cleared PNR right of way and the removal of the obstructing structures,” said DOTr Undersecretary Jeremy Regino in a statement addressed to affected local governments.

Subsidies for home rentals and allowances will be made available to the affected residents. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News