No demolition without relocation, gov’t assures bishops

Government officials reassured Catholic bishops and urban poor families there will be no demolition of shanties in squatter areas without "functional" relocation sites. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Friday night the reassurance was made following a meeting in Malacañang with Metro Manila’s urban poor groups, non-government organizations and Church leaders. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo hosted the meeting with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando and other agency representatives in attendance. The meeting was held Thursday afternoon at the request of Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan and Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena. Participants at the meeting agreed that a 45-day notice will be given to informal settlers whose shanties are up for demolition. CBCP-NASSA Executive Secretary Sr. Rosanne Malillin said the first priority for demolition are informal settlers along esteros and waterways while squatters in government lands up for development are considered second priority and those occupying private properties are third in the priority list. “There are nearly 400,000 Metro Manila families up for relocation, most of whom prefer to be relocated in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal considering its distance from Quezon City where they can find work," Malillin said. She said the relocation site in Rodriguez could very well accommodate 100,000 families. Other relocation sites will be constructed in Calauan and Cabuyao towns in Laguna province. Malillin said Arroyo agreed to the proposal that no demolition would take place if the relocation sites would not have the basic services such as light, power and income-generating activities. “The Church will handle the social preparation along with people’s organizations," Sr. Rosanne added. Caritas Manila’s Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascual and Fr. Mario Castillo also attended the meeting. - GMANews.TV