By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com) August 11, 2009
MANILA, Philippines -- The national government has identified at least 5,000 squatter families living along waterways in Metro Manila as initial beneficiaries of a housing program for informal settlers, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando bared today (Aug. 11).
"We have selected these areas because they are located along the waterways, which are danger zones. Qualified informal settlers here will be given housing benefits based on the guidelines of the Comprehensive Shelter Program," Fernando said in the first organizational meeting of the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee on Informal Settlers (MMIAC).
Fernando, also concurrent MMIAC head, said the priority areas are Damayan Lagi , 11th Street, and Sta. Cruz along San Juan River in Quezon City; Barangays 177, 135, 178, 179, 180, 181 and 182, which cover Estero De Tripa De Galina in Pasay City; Old Balara (West and East side) in Commonwealth Avenue; and Masambong and Manresa in Araneta Avenue, also in Quezon City. There are a total of 3,290 families living in these places.
For its part, the National Housing Authority (NHA), under General Manager Federico Laxa who also sits as vice-chairman of MMIAC, also listed Buting, Pasig; Santolan, Mindanao Avenue, Balintawak, Quiapo, Nissan Tatalon, Pasay, Estero de Paco, R-10 Navotas, Market 3 Fishport of Navotas and Sta. Cruz.
Around 2,164 families live in these communities, according to the NHA.
Last May 21, President Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 803, formally creating MMIAC, which is mandated to "plan, coordinate and implement, in coordination with concerned government agencies, a comprehensive shelter program for informal settlers affected by government priority infrastructure projects and those living in danger areas within Metro Manila."
MMIAC records show that there are 544,609 squatter families in Metro Manila, 73.29 percent or 399,110 of which are illegally occupying private and government-owned lands.
Another 6.46 percent or 35,198 are in areas affected by government priority projects, while 19.83 percent or 107,997 are living in danger zones, including along creeks and other waterways.
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