Manila: Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has assured compensation and livelihood support to individuals and families who were relocated to give way to infrastructure projects. Lopez said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the DOTr to provide support to those displaced by the construction of major projects, such as the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
According to Philippines News Agency, Lopez emphasized the President's directive for the relocation to sites equipped with sufficient water, electricity, and safety, with a focus on maintaining livelihood opportunities. "Utos ng Pangulo na ilipat sila sa maayos na relocation site na may sapat na tubig, kuryente, ligtas na kapaligiran at ang mahalaga, ay tuloy ang kanilang pangkabuhayan. Nawala man sila sa dati nilang tinitirhan, maayos naman ang bahay at buhay nila ngayon," Lopez stated in a news release.
During the 127th anniversary celebration of the DOTr on Thursday, Assistant Secretary for Right-of-Way and Site Acquisition (ROWSA) Irish Calaguas highlighted the priority of constructing relocation sites. "Hindi pababayaan at ma-ibibigay ang kailangan ng mga kababayan natin na kailangang irelocate dahil sa mga proyekto. It's our commitment that they are not neglected," Calaguas said.
One of the relocation sites for the NSCR is the San Fernando View Residences Phase 3 in Barangay Panipuan, San Fernando City, Pampanga. The DOTr has so far built 312 row house units in the area for families in 11 affected villages. The DOTr will build a total of 16,575 units in 2026.
