Promised housing for Zamboanga City attack victims still unfinished

One month before their scheduled move to government-made homes, the victims of the attack on Zamboanga City last year face the reality of finding unfinished houses where they had been promised permanent residences.

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Aquino said at least 7,000 families will move to Martha Drive Subdivision starting August. A report on GMA's "24 Oras" on Tuesday, however, showed the neighborhood's empty plots of land and unfinished houses

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said the delays in building were not delays, but an effort to build everything back better.

"Gaya nga ng sinabi ng pangulo, build back better. Hindi ito parang yung dati nilang tinitirahan mga kawayan, walang sanitation. Ang ginagawa ngayon, sa pangunguna ng DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] at UP-Planades [UP Planning and Development Research Foundation, Inc] talagang may walkway, may boatways, mala-Venice ang dating," she explained.

Aquino claimed during his visit in the troubled region last year that the government spent P300 million in food, clothing, cash-for-work and other aid programs for the victims.

Zamboanga's local government is eyeing two properties amounting to six hectares for temporary relocation and another property 38 hectares in area for permanent residences. Negotiations have impeded the government from acquiring the land, and residents from moving in.

Refugees who have called the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex their home for a year have asked the president to keep his promises this time.

"'Di naman natutupad yung iba, gaya ng sinabi niya sa 'min dito tulad nung sinabi niya na kayo ay ibabahay [kami] sa loob ng anim na buwan sa bahay ninyo. Hanggang ngayon, andito pa kami, mag-iisang taon na nga kami dito," said Ardaser Sandangan, a refugee.

Nadzmer Suhod, also a refugee, added that bunkhouses were cramped, families had no food, and lacked basic necessities.

Worsening their conditions are informal settlers who mixed with the refugees, and the rise of prostitution and the sale of illegal drugs.

"Lumalawak ang problema. Kaya ang panawagan po namin ay sana bigyan na po kami ng kabuhayan para makabalik na kami sa kanya-kanya naming barangay," said purok leader Sittinuria Alih.

However, some of the refugees have refused to enter the relocation sites, while others preferred to return to their homes. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News