P374-M for relocation of waterway settlers

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Budget and Management has released P374.4 million for the relocation of families living near waterways in Metro Manila.

In a report, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the amount will cover the transfer of 19,440 identified families.

Each family will receive P18,000 from the “Interim Shelter Fund for Informal Settler Families” program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Foremost in President Benigno Aquino III’s disaster and flood management strategy is securing the safety of communities living in high-risk areas,” Abad said.

The relocation is part of the government’s flood control master plan, which was designed to address Metro Manila’s severe flooding problem.

Some experts claim that flooding in Manila has been worsened by informal settlers, who build precarious shanties on the banks of waterways, preventing water from flowing freely and blocking drains with rubbish.

The government earlier identified 8 major waterways that need to be cleared:

• San Juan River
• Tullahan River
• Manggahan Floodway
• Maricaban Creek
• Estero Tripa de Gallina
• Pasig River
• Estero de Sunog Apog
• Estero de Maypajo

The identified families are just part of the about 100,000 families living near waterways that government plans to relocate in the long term. – Rappler.com