NEWSFLASH

ERAP ESCORTS ESTERO SQUATTERS TO NEW HOMES

San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Sept. 17, 1998 - The first batch of 100 squatter families were led from Metro Manila esteros to their own homes here by no less than President Estrada, who shared their first meal of "lugaw" in their new abodes.

The intermittent rain did not stop the President from personally helping the squatter families haul their belongings from their shanties along the Estero de Maypajo in Balot, Tondo to buses hired by the government to ferry them and their possessions to the Pabahay 2000 resettlement site here.

He joined the family of Jose Zabala in one of the buses on the way to Bulacan, led them to their new home, inspected the facilities of the housing unit, ate "lugaw (rice porridge)" prepared by the Zabalas, and gave their daughter, Marilen, P2,000 in cash so she could celebrate her 18th birthday.

He said today's resettlement activity was concrete proof that his "Erap Para Sa Mahirap" campaign vow is a genuine pro-poor program and not just a vote-getting gimmick.

The President last month allocated P1 billion for the relocation of thousands of squatter families in Metro Manila to low-cost housing projects outside the metropolis.

At simple rites marking the turnover of the housing units to the squatter families, President Estrada directed the various departments to ensure that the provision of shelter is complemented by social services via the establishment of health centers, schools and livelihood programs at the resettlement site.

He also led in a tree-planting ceremony in front of the new homes of the beneficiary-families which he hoped will remind them of their duty to keep their surrounding s clean and green.

The President said he ordered the relocation of the squatter families not only to give them decent shelter but also to ensure their safety from health hazards and the danger of flash floods posed by the advent of La Nina.

"Sa araw na ito ipinagdiriwang natin hindi lamang ang pagkakaroon ninyo ng mga bagong bahay kundi ng isang bagong pamumuhay rin. Simula ito ng katuparan ng inyong pangarap na magkaroon ng sariling pamamahay na magiging hagdan tungo sa isang maunlad at matiwasay na kalagayan sa buhay (Today we celebrate not only your acquisition of your new homes but the start of you new way of life. This is the beginning of the realization of your dream to have a home of your own and a prosperous and peaceful life)," the President said.

Tungkulin lamang naming nasa pamahalaan na bigyan kayo ng oportunidad para mapabuti ang inyong kalagayan sa buhay sa tulong nyo na rin (It is our duty in government to give you access to opportunities that will enable you to improve your life)," the President said.

To ensure that the beneficiary-families are given opportunities to earn a living and access to basic services, the President directed the Department of Health (DOH) to set up a health clinic at the site, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development was tasked with helping the local government construct a day care center. The Department of Education will set up schools for the children of relocated families.

He urged the beneficiary-families to unite in making the resettlement site an ideal community to raise children by keeping it clean and reporting to law enforcers any threat to peace and order in the area.

"Kapit-bisig tayong magtulungan. Ang inyong paglipat dito sa Bulacan ay dapat magsimula ng isang bagong buhay para sa inyong lahat (Let us link arms and help each other. Your transfer here in Bulacan should be the start of a new life for all of you)," the President said.

The President said he does not share the view of others who have warned him that helping the poor would further deplete the public coffers because he believes that it is the foremost duty of the government to take good care of the people.

President Estrada was assisted during the turnover ceremony by Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora, Secretary Karina Constantino-David of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Bulacan Governor Josie dela Cruz, and San Jose del Monte Mayor Eduardo Roquero.

Under the "Sagip-Lipat" program, which fleshed out President Estrada's campaign vow to put roofs over the heads of the homeless, the National Housing Authority (NHA) and other housing authorities have revised the pricing of Pabahay 2000 to make it affordable to the poor.

There are approximately 3,200 families around the Estero de Maypajo, David said. The remaining families will be transferred to the housing site in the next few weeks.

In ordering the launching of the "Sagip-Lipat" program last August 31, the President released P1 billion for the construction of housing units for squatter families. David had sought the immediate release of an additional P1 billion from the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) for the NHA so that it can develop more relocation sites for 10,000 other families living along esteros, creeks and other waterways.

Under the program's budget, about P1.3 billion is earmarked for the NHA to fund the relocation and resettlement of squatters who have settled along creeks, esteros and waterways. The fund shall be used to buy lands and develop them into resettlement sites. Their relocation will also help the government's flood control program.

The resettlement program under PAF-3 covers Metro Manila and nearby areas as well as the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Iloilo in the Visayas.

Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi