Gan seeks inventory of relocation sites

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

COUNCILOR Leon Gan has called on the Moreno administration to make an immediate inventory of all relocation sites in the city.

The call came after Councilor Ramon Tabor brought to the city council’s attention House Bill no. 5144 or the “On-site, In-City, Near-City Resettlement Act,” which  would amend Republic Act 7279, otherwise known as the Urban Development and House Act of 1992.
Gan said the city government should make an inventory of all its relocation sites acquired during the past and present administration in view of HB 5144.

“The development is good for the city,” said Gan. “But since last year, I have been asking from the executive, including the members of the Housing Board and other committees that are now working on our relocation sites, to submit an inventory of all properties of the city government before we purchase more relocation sites. Walay nahitabo.”

He said city hall has many properties that can be turned into relocation sites.
Gan said many informal settlers in barangays Macabalan and Puntod, for instance, could have been relocated to a city hall property in Balubal but they “are not beeing taken care of.”

The proposed law, according to Tabor, could change how local governments carry out relocation programs like policies on resettlement. Based on the bill, it would be a no-no to move informal settlers to far-flung barangays, and relocation should be on-site.
Councilor Roger Abaday said relocation is one of the most difficult programs of local government.

Abaday said local governments need to purchase land, build houses, construct roads, provide a supply of potable water, electricity, and schools, among others.

mong others.