MANILA, Philippines -- The Taguig segment of the Philippine National Railways has been completely cleared of squatters and illegal structures, according to Vice President Noli de Castro.
De Castro, who chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), is overseeing the clearing operations in areas affected by the Northrail-Southrail linkage project.
De Castro witnessed on Thursday the formal turnover of the cleared right-of-way spanning the villages of Western Bicutan, Bagong Tanyag and Bagumbayan in Taguig by the National Housing Authority to the PNR.
The clearing operation is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s priority program to decongest Metro Manila and pave the way for the development of a rail linkage project.
All affected families have been relocated under the President’s Asset Reform Program, said De Castro.
He said a total of 2,639 families were relocated from the Taguig segment. Of the number, 479 were relocated to Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 1,762 to Trece Martires, Cavite and 398 opted for the Balik-Probinsya program.
De Castro said the voluntary relocation to Trece Martires started on July 10, 2007, and to Sta.Rosa last March 26.
Illegal commercial structures were dismantled from July 12 to July 20, 2007 after the owners and occupants were given formal notices.
De Castro said he personally informed the residents of the relocation and monitored the clearing operations. Cynthia D. Balana
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