Thursday, April 10, 2008
By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Residents of Barangay Calulut here are opposing the expansion of a low-cost housing project in the area, saying it poses a threat to their safety.
The folk are particularly restless about the construction of a housing project, allegedly by Baque Construction.
Residents complained that the project has crouched on the perimeter of the river here, posing a possible danger to them and their properties in case of heavy rains.
In an earlier conference with villagers, this city's "flood czar" Marni Castro said the project has been encroaching the side of the river and claimed abandoned lands as part of the housing development.
He added that the construction of a similar bridge falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and that any alteration of the river should first consider various flood risks.
Concerned villagers said Baque Construction is owned by certain Ofelia Tan, who was able to have the abandoned lands -- which are part of Sapang Balen -- titled and include the said lands as part of the project.
Sun.Star learned that the construction company was able to bag resettlement housing projects from the defunct Mt. Pinatubo Commission several years ago.
Castro, on the other hand, added that the village housing project is intended to be sold to the government to accommodate informal settlers who will be affected by the North Rail project in Mabalacat town.
He said the residents are also particularly concerned with the seeming "railroading" of the construction without the knowledge of the people.
He said they are worried about the security of the barangay with the arrival of the "newcomers" and the migration's effects to the ecology, particularly waste disposal.
Residents said if they only knew about the construction's "true nature," they initially opposed it.
The villagers have agreed to sign a manifesto urging the City of San Fernando Government to look into the issue. They said they are definitely opposed to the project's portion along the vicinity of the river.
The 45-hectare development is 88 percent complete. It features single unit houses.
While Castro assured the residents that the City Government "will not condone" river encroachment and alleged titling of public lands, development works continue unimpeded here.
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