Thursday, September 9, 2010 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Governor Nestor Fongwan said informal settlers have been spotted in the proposed relocation site for the typhoon victims in La Trinidad town.
Fongwan said squatters were spotted at the Tawang relocation area, which is intended for those who lost their homes in last year’s typhoon Pepeng.
“We must address this problem first,” Fongwan said.
The governor added the site although has been proclaimed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a relocation site for the province to use. The Benguet State University (BSU), the owner of the lot, agreed with Arroyo by allowing its separation from the BSU property.
Fongwan said "now we must assess who truly deserve to be there."
Recently, Mayor Greg Abalos met with non-government organizations and government agencies to talk about the state of the evacuees in a bid to hasten the construction of permanent abodes for them at Tawang.
Abalos has gotten pledges from various sectors.
Abalos will meet with agencies and organizations to plan for the housing of those rendered homeless by typhoons.
The Tawag site, owned by the BSU has been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as the best site for relocation based on safety standards.
The municipal engineering office pegs initial work to amount to P25 million. The Tawang is divided into two parcels of land. Parcel 1 is 1.7 hectares while the other is 1.6 hectares in area comprising the 3.3 relocation site where 152 and 141 lots for housing will be set up respectively. (Ma. Elena Catajan)
Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on September 10, 2010.
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