Informal settlers to be relocated from gov't project areas according to health rules

The government will proceed with the relocation of informal settlers affected by the ongoing construction projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this is provided under the Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution 116 dated May 20.

“Ito (relocation of informal settlers) ay dapat ayon sa umiiral na mga batas at mga ordinansa at sa subject sa safety and health protocols at strict observance sa minimum public health standards,” Roque said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(This relocation of informal settlers will be done according to law and ordinances, as well as subjected to safety and health protocols and strict observance of minimum public health standards.)

Meanwhile, the IATF allowed National Food Authority to hold the ninth Meeting of the ASEAN Plus 3 Emergency Rice Reserve which was deemed an essential gathering.

The IATF also approved the National Economic Development Authority’s recommendation to scale up contact tracing applications of local government units such as Pasig, Mandaluyong, Antipolo, Valenzuela, among others.

“In line with this, the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Interior and Local Government have been tasked to issue policies to ensure that contact tracing applications are all interoperable,” Roque explained.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the government to impose varying quarantine restrictions to avoid virus transmission, resulting in reduced employment and income due to the prohibition on mass gatherings and the requirement for social distancing. — DVM, GMA News