12:54 AM
JAMES EGO
fernan | October 3, 2011 | Nation News
TAYTAY, Rizal — The local government asked Malacanang to seriously consider the issuance of a new executive order that would finally legitimize the settlement of some 50,000 families, who have been living in Lupang Arenda for the last 13 years.
In a statement, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula urged Pres. Noynoy Aquino to issue his version of Proclamation 704-1995, which declares the 80-hectare Lupang Arenda in Barangay Sta. Ana as resettlement area amid findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which states that Lupang Arenda is suitable for habitation.
Gacula explained that the fact that the 50,000 families have been living at the Lupang Arenda for the last 13 years, renders them as ‘legitimate’ settlers under the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA).
The local chief executive added that the executive order that was issued by former Pres. Arroyo, (which has earlier been repealed amid DENR study, findings and recommendations) resulted in serious repercussions in the socialized housing area, one of which is subjecting residents to fear of a possible eviction anytime.
“These families have been there even before many of us were made aware of the existence of Lupang Arenda. They are legitimate settlers and not squatters as what EO 854 refers them. Aside from the fact that the government does not have a viable place that would fit them all in one place, eviction and transfer of these families would displace them from work and livelihood”, Gacula said in his statement.
He however admitted that the area is flood prone, but only because the road dike has yet been fully completed. The road dike is a government flagship project designed to seal of the entire Laguna de Bay and keep its water from spilling into the surrounding towns.
Gacula added that the local government in cooperation with the national government has been implementing infrastructural works that would alleviate the perennial problem of floods not just in Lupang Arenda but in all the localities surrounding Asia’s second largest freshwater basin.
In a statement, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula urged Pres. Noynoy Aquino to issue his version of Proclamation 704-1995, which declares the 80-hectare Lupang Arenda in Barangay Sta. Ana as resettlement area amid findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which states that Lupang Arenda is suitable for habitation.
Gacula explained that the fact that the 50,000 families have been living at the Lupang Arenda for the last 13 years, renders them as ‘legitimate’ settlers under the Urban Development Housing Act (UDHA).
The local chief executive added that the executive order that was issued by former Pres. Arroyo, (which has earlier been repealed amid DENR study, findings and recommendations) resulted in serious repercussions in the socialized housing area, one of which is subjecting residents to fear of a possible eviction anytime.
“These families have been there even before many of us were made aware of the existence of Lupang Arenda. They are legitimate settlers and not squatters as what EO 854 refers them. Aside from the fact that the government does not have a viable place that would fit them all in one place, eviction and transfer of these families would displace them from work and livelihood”, Gacula said in his statement.
He however admitted that the area is flood prone, but only because the road dike has yet been fully completed. The road dike is a government flagship project designed to seal of the entire Laguna de Bay and keep its water from spilling into the surrounding towns.
Gacula added that the local government in cooperation with the national government has been implementing infrastructural works that would alleviate the perennial problem of floods not just in Lupang Arenda but in all the localities surrounding Asia’s second largest freshwater basin.
