QC TO RELOCATE MORE ISFs AWAY FROM DANGER ZONES

Quezon City has identified 4,228 informal settler families (ISFs) residing along waterways and road right-of-ways as the city’s priority for relocation next year.

Of the total ISFs, 2,235 families are living along creeks and riverways, said urban poor affairs office Chief Ramon Asprer, in his report to Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Some 850 underprivileged families along Calamiong Creek at Barangay Bagong Silangan, have been offered priority in the relocation program. Heavy rains often cause Calamiong Creek to overflow, sending flashfloods across the community.

The city government will also be relocating ISFs with dwellings along San Juan River in Barangay Damayang Lagi, Timex in Barangay Santa Cruz, Nissan in Barangay Tatalon, Lagarian Creek in Barangay Obrero, Ermitanyo Creek in Barangay Mariana, Abra Creek in Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Road 5 Creek in Proj. 6, Araneta Creek in Barangay Masambong, creekside in Barangay E. Rodriguez, Dario Creek in Barangay Bahay-Toro, Diliman Creek in Barangay Roxas and SSS Tullahan Creek at Barangay North Fairview.

Also given priority by QC government in the relocation program are some 2,000 ISFs living on road right-of-ways, which are vulnerable to being hit by vehicles.

ISFs occupying road right-of-ways along BIR Road, Barangay Central; Cazrdiz Street, Barangay Tatalon; Liwanag and Pook dela Paz Streets, Barangay Old Balara; Pansol center island, Barangay Pansol; Bernardo Park in Barangay Kamuning, NIA Road near Postal side in Barangay Pinyahan; Araneta Avenue, Barangay Manresa; along Sto. Domingo and Mauban Streets, Barangay Manresa; and along Sto. Domingo Street at Barangay Manresa, will also be included in the priority list.

The QC government has identified Site 4 Southville 8 B at Barangay San Isidro in Rodriguez, Rizal as resettlement sites for QC ISFs, and IKI Southville 8 C in Rodriguez, Rizal and Towerville Phase 6 at Barangay Gaya-Gaya in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as alternative resettlement sites.

This year, UPAO has relocated about 1,587 ISFs in the three resettlement sites designated by the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Mayor Bautista’s development goals are focused on providing more livable communities for QC residents, especially informal settlers living in danger areas such as sidewalks, roadways, waterways, under transmission lines and on water pipelines.

The city government expects to generate more funds for socialized housing in the next five years as a result of the signing into law of the QC socialized housing tax ordinance last October 25.

“The problem of poverty and informal settlements in Quezon City is huge. But, we can help make this challenge manageable through the pathways of collaboration and teamwork among ourselves,” the Mayor said. Precy/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO