Fisherfolk groups on Thursday criticized Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s order to speed up the demolition of thousands of informal settlements near Manila Bay and other communities on the banks of one of Metro Manila’s major waterways. Pamalakaya said that the relocation order could be a prelude to reclamation projects pending on Manila Bay. According to the alliance, there were 43 reclamation projects covering more than 32,000 ha lined up under President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program. “Our position has always been to relocate all the informal settlers living on esteros that lead to Manila Bay,” said Alcovendaz. NHA role“We’ve done the necessary social preparations, and it’s up to the national government, specifically the National Housing Authority (NHA), to facilitate the relocation of [informal settler families],” he added.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 13, 2018 21:22 UTC