BUSTOS, Bulacan, (PNA)-–After years of living dangerously along geo-hazard sites, some 72 families became the first batch of informal settlers that will now live in a newly built community in the farming village of Barangay Catacte here.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando on Thursday thanked President Benigno Aquino, housing czar Vice President Jejomar Binay and the National Housing Authority (NHA) for swiftly providing decent homes for families living along high-risk danger zones along the Angat river.
Alvarado said that at least 1,000 newly built housing units will be turned over to the affected families at the Bustos Relocation Site in Barangay Catacte here.
“These families are living in geo- hazard areas along the banks of rivers, creeks and irrigation canals and waterways which are prone to severe flooding, landslide and mudslide. The government has provided them with a safe and decent homes with basic amenities like schools, livelihood programs and a multi-purpose hall,” the governor said.
He said the 72 families living dangerously along the banks of Angat River were among the first batch of informal settlers to live in houses that they can now call their own.
Alvarado said that the relocation site in Barangay Catacte will accommodate at least 1,100 families while another 1,900 will be relocated in Barangay Cacarong Matanda in Pandi.
He said the swift response of President Aquino and Vice President Binay is an indication that the government is serious in alleviating the families that are constantly living along the danger zones.
Alvarado also said that while some informal settlers from Metro Manila and other areas are also being relocated in other housing projects, he stressed that the welfare of Bulakenyo shall be considered first and that no relocation will be made in Bulacan without proper coordination with local and provincial officials.
He reminded developers that Bulacan has its land use programs and should observe proper planning and zoning.
“There should always be educational, livelihood and environmental components before they plan to develop housing projects in any parts of the province,” he added.
He also pointed out that CCTV systems should also be installed in these relocation sites to ensure the maintenance of peace and order.
He said that these new communities will spur more growth and development in the province , making Bulacan as one of the “most business friendly province” in the country.
NHA general manager Chito Cruz lauded Gov. Alvarado and the provincial government for providing relocation sites, which he claimed is now impossible to build in Metro Manila.