PRA: Manila reclamation of Baseco being done without its approval

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) on Thursday said it has nothing to do with the reclamation and use of the 56-hectare Bataan Shipping and Engineering Co. (Baseco) compound where at least 3,000 poor families will allegedly be evicted. Instead, the PRA said that the reclamation was being done by the city of Manila. In a statement sent to GMANews.TV, the PRA said the reclamation was made by Manila for the "permanent resettlement of the qualified beneficiaries pursuant to the intentions of the proclamation declaring certain portions of the Baseco area for socialized housing." The PRA also said that Manila’s reclamation of the 56 hectares was done without its approval as the regulatory body for reclamation, adding that the PRA’s involvement is limited to trying to properly reclaim an additional 10 hectares around the area to be used for more socialized housing as instructed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. GMANews.TV called the Manila City’s Urban Settlement Office for its side but was told to call back Friday. The PRA also said that village officials have told them that 36 hectares “are already occupied and proved to be sufficient" for Baseco residents and fire victims, while the remaining 20 hectares may be made available for occupation by informal settlers in other parts of Manila. The PRA added that the Manila local government and national housing agencies are the ones who have the authority and jurisdiction over the 20-hectare area which is currently "illegally occupied." The Urban Poor Associates (UPA), a non-government organization, had earlier said in a statement that the government will move families from the 56-hectare area and house 3,000 families on the 10-hectare area just off Baseco. Thirty-five hectares of the 56-hectare area will then be developed for “commercial purpose", said the UPA. The UPA said the 6,000-10,000 Baseco residents, who live in houses built by Gawad Kalinga (GK) and Habitat for Humanity, have expressed concerns about their possible eviction, saying there appears to be no clear-cut plan about their new housing since only 3,000 families are sure to be moved to the 10-hectare area. President Arroyo proclaimed the 56-hectare compound for “the homes of the people" in 2002. During the same year, some five hectares were reclaimed and distributed into lots to 1,000 families after the first of four major fires prompted its gradual reclamation. GK and Habitat for Humanity have built nearly 2,000 houses in the area since 2004 following the introduction of the President, said the UPA. Soil tests in 2004 and 2007, however, showed poor soil would cause buildings on the land—which was mostly underwater before 2001—to be at risk if a very strong earthquake hits it. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim has since asked GK and Habitat for Humanity to stop building houses in Baseco, said the UPA. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV