Sep 072013
 
Malacañang on Saturday defended the Department of Interior and Local Government’s role in the relocation of informal settler families, especially from danger and high-risk zones.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Benigno Aquino III’s Memorandum Order 57 gave the DILG the lead role because of the local government component in relocation.

“The challenge with relocating informal settler families goes beyond building houses and throwing them somewhere, it’s not as simple as that. Ang paglipat hindi lang basta-basta,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

On Friday, Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco questioned the role of the DILG in the relocation effort, saying it was the National Housing Authority that should be handling the housing problem.

Valte countered that the DILG coordinates local government units involved in the relocation and is in “constant contact with stakeholders,” while the NHA only builds houses in the relocation sites.

The deputy spokesperson said that the other agencies  involved included the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Valte also took a dig at critics who questioned the DILG’s role in the resettlement. “Huwag natin gawing simplistic para meron tayong maging press release,” she said. — DVM, GMA News

Aug 062013
 

MANILA, Aug 5 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas to immediately spearhead the transfer of informal settler families living in danger and high-risk areas to decent housing sites, a Palace official said on Monday. The Chief Executive issued the directive by virtue of Memorandum Order […]