Citing “numerous complaints” from religious groups, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the relocated settlers themsleves, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay has directed the National Housing Authority (NHA) to conduct a thorough review of the national government’s resettlement program and reminded the agency that resettlement activities should be guided by the "humane treatment" of settlers.
Binay, who is also chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDDC), gave the NHA fifteen days to submit its report. The NHA is the housing agency in charge of implementing the resettlement program for informal settlers.
“There have been numerous complaints on the manner by which government is handling the resettlement of informal settlers. It has proportionately increased the concern of stakeholders over the capacity of NHA and other housing agencies to effectively implement plans and programs of resettlement,” Binay said in a memorandum dated August 11.
Among the concerns are the “conduct of relocation activities, poor quality of relocation sites, and lack of livelihood opportunities in the area,” the Vice President said. These concerns were aired by religious groups doing missionary work in the relocation sites, NGOs engaged in community outreach programs, and the settlers themselves, he added.
In particular, the Vice President said he wants a review of the manner by which demolitions of informal settler communities are conducted and their transfer to the resettlement sites. “These should be conducted in a humane manner, in keeping with the provisions of the law,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the poor services and facilities in relocation sites, and the absence of opportunities for relocated settlers to earn a living in their new communities.
“We should always remember that our work goes beyond providing informal settlers with relocation sites, but ensuring that our fellow Filipinos are given opportunities to live their new lives with dignity,” he said.
The Vice President specifically ordered the NHA to “undertake an internal assessment” of government’s resettlement policies and practices in four projects, namely: the Northrail Project (Phase 1); Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project; relocation for victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng; and resettlement programs for local governments.
Binay reminded the NHA that resettlement projects should strictly adhere to the provisions of the Housing and Urban Development Act – particularly on the observance of proper and humane relocation and resettlement procedures and the provision of basic services and facilities in resettlement sites.
The NHA was also directed to assess all aspects of the program such as the location of resettlement projects, the housing and community facilities provided, job or income opportunities for the relocated families and housing payments.
The Vice President also wants an assessment of the roles or contribution of local government units, NGOs, private organizations and the affected families themselves in the resettlement process.