300 FAMILIES LOSE HOMES IN OLD BALARA

By Giano Dionisio, Mayte Uyenco, and Jeamay Palo

It has been over a month since the informal settlers in the Old Balara area were asked to leave and the same question remains, “what about their homes?"

One of the primary concerns of the C-5 road Extension project is to connect the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX). This forced around 300 families of informal settlers along Old Balara to relocate. But conflict over unclear relocation plans and replacement cost ensued.

"There is a process to be followed before we can demolish the houses. Of course we don't remove them without properly arranging things with the homeowners," said the NCR Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) director Edilberto D. Tayao.

NCR Department of DPWH director Edilberto D. Tayao

He said that first the priority is to arrange for the relocation of the settlers. This is in accordance to the Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, where in homeless citizens in urban areas shall be resettled by "making available to them decent housing at affordable costs..."

Relocation not possible



"The original plan of MMDA was to put the Medium Rise Building in the property of the Metropolitan Waterways Sewage Systems (MWSS) still near Balara. However, MWSS prohibited it because it lies on top of the aqueduct," said Chief officer for Planning, Engr. Lydia G. Cruz.


Engr. Lydia G. Cruz, Chief officer for Planning

"This is why we opted for replacement costs instead. Every household was to be paid according to the amount it takes to rebuild their current house," she added.

Different sides

Leonardo 'Oni' Cruz, president of Ugnayang Kapisanan ng Pook Ricarte (UGKAPOR) said that they had no problem of relocating. All they were asking for is a clear and fair arrangement for the replacement costs.

The Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) on the other hand washed their hands clean regarding the issue of the relocation. Their job according to General Manager Robert Nacianceno is only to make sure that the C5 road connects NLEX to SLEX.

Chief Executive Assistant of the Traffic Engineering Center Arman Perez also added that the role of MMDA is merely to assist DPWH in clearing the area for their eventual construction.

"MMDA's participation is to be the support group [through] manpower and equipment to remove the informal settlers," he said.

Pointing fingers

Gathering from our various interviews, there really does not seem to be any clear demarcation of responsibility, especially between DPWH and MMDA who alternately pass accountability to the other.

The former residents, on the other hand, still seek proper negotiations, but their cause seems to be lost as neither governmental office has any plans to find Mr. Cruz and his community a new settlement.