MANILA—the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) recently signed agreements that will ensure the proper relocation of informal settler families (ISFs) affected by major flood-control projects in Metro Manila.
Representing DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan and NHA General Manager Joeben Tai were DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Project Director Ramon A. Arriola III of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Flood Control Management Cluster, and Regional Manager Jovita G. Panopio of NHA National Capital Region North Sector Office and OIC-NHA NCR West Sector Office Daniel R. Cocjin.
According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the signed memorandum of agreement will expedite the delivery of structural and non-structural flood-control measures by allowing DPWH to release to NHA funding requirement for its relocation/housing program for the affected ISFs.
The DPWH agrees to release/transfer to NHA the amount of P283.6 Million as the total funding for the four (4) buildings to be constructed for the site development for the relocation and resettlement of 274 qualified affected ISFs from eight ( 8 ) barangays in the City of Malabon.
Another P56.78 Million will be transferred to NHA as the primary government agency in charge of providing housing for the unprivileged and homeless for the additional 76 ISFs in the City of Manila.
“These agreements guarantee that affected ISFs of the Metro Manila Flood Control Management Project Phase 1 will have safer homes with access to basic services and facilities, as well as employment opportunities,” said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The Metro Manila Flood Control Management Project Phase 1, jointly funded by World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), aims to modernize existing drainage areas in Metro Manila by rehabilitating and upgrading an estimated 36 existing pumping stations and constructing 20 new pumping stations.
The project also aims to minimize solid waste in waterways, and ensure participatory housing and resettlement to project-affected families. (Dpwhpio/Renante Arjay Jarobel)
