5,000 families to be relocated due to Pasig River project

The 5,000 families who live along the Pasig River would be relocated due to the rehabilitation project on the river, Mariz Umali reported Monday on 24 Oras.

A 10-meter easement would be placed along Pasig River tributaries as part of the Pasig River Urban Development Project.

In the case of one tributary, the San Juan River, the easement would also lead to the creation of a linear park with different facilities.

"Ilalagay natin siyempre maraming greeneries, meron po tayong MRF na ilalagay or material recovery facility, rain harvesting facility at ganun din po, mga sewerage treatment plants courtesy of DENR," said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes. "tapos magkakaroon po yan ng jogging path, walkway and bikeway."

"Tatlong aspeto ito," added Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos. "Una ay ang pabahay, sumunod of course, ay... mga area na activity. Area na kung saan pwede magpunta ang ating mga kababayan - maging tourist spots, scenic spots. Ito at pangatlo ay tinatawag na intermodal transportation. Ito ay ikakabit sa mga ferry."

Because the project would affect the 5,000 families that lived along the river, the government promised that those affected by the rehabilitation would receive free housing.

"Yung ating F. Manalo area po meron tayong kasalukuyang tatlong malaking lote na pag aari ng LGU ng San Juan," said San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora. "Ang mga loteng ito ay ipo-propose natin kay [Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development] Secretary [Gerry] Acuzar. 

"Kung ito po ay maaprubahan, at base sa magiging design... if they can build 25 storey public housing buildings in these three lots. Ang tantay ko ho rito, tatlong lote pa lang ito, 3000 units na po yan."

For his part, Acuzar said, "Ito ay medium rise, meaning, mga 25-20 storeys. Para matapos mo yung 25 storeys, it will take about one year and a half to two years."

The San Juan local government also promised that there would be a staging area or a place where informal settlers affected by the project can temporarily reside while their housing units were built. — DVM, GMA Integrated News