Manila Bay informal settlers to get land
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2019 08:02:34 +0000
MORE people than usual are flocking to the Manila Bay on Roxas Boulevard in Manila after photos of the results of the cleanup spread on social media. (Ali Vicoy)
Over 2,000 families that faced displacement amid the ongoing cleanup of the Manila Bay had been assured of land by the Philippine Ports Authority, thanks to the intervention of former President now House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo.
This came during the hearing of the Oversight Committee on Housing called by Arroyo to address the delay in the release of titles to the recipients of urban poor housing proclamations she issued when she was President.
During the hearing, it was revealed that more than 2,000 families living in a property owned by PPA in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila will be displaced because of the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
This prompted Arroyo to inquire what arrangements are being made in the transfer of the affected residents. She also asked the PPA to ensure that they would not be deprived of their source of livelihood.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago responded that the agency will be willing to give them five hectares of its property in a nearby area in Tondo. He also vowed to allot P1 million for the social preparation of the residents prior to the transfer.
The announcement was met with jubilation by Isla Puting Bato residents who had attended the hearing at the House of Representatives.
Mansor Utto, who is a long-time resident of Isla Puting Bato, said they could not believe that they will be given a chance to acquire their own land. “Matagal na po naming pinapanalangin na mabigyan kami ng seguridad sa lupa at sobrang nabigla kami na ito ang matutupad na sa tulong ng ating Speaker GMA. Kung hindi sa kanya, baka kung saan na lang kami mapupunta dahil sa paglilinis sa Manila Bay,” Utto said.
Meanwhile, people were unstoppable despite the public warning of the Department of Health that the Manila Bay is still unsafe for swimming.
Most bathers were children in their under wears while some put up a tent and laid down picnic blankets on the beach of Manila Bay.
After photos of the results of the cleanup spread on social media, more people than usual came over the weekend to the Manila Bay, resulting to heavy traffic on Roxas Boulevard.
DoH Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo has issued an advisory saying that swimming in the Manila Bay is still unsafe as high levels of fecal coliform bacteria was detected in its waters.
Water-borne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, skin diseases, and eye infections can be acquired through swimming in Manila Bay. (Ellson Quismorio and Michelle Guillang)