Aquino’s plan to lease land to over 560,000 homeless urban poor families is short-sighted and deceptive, says GWP solon

“The Aquino administration’s plan to relocate informal settlers from Metro Manila to DENR-inventoried land in the provinces is short-sighted and downright deceptive,” commented Gabriela solon Emmi De Jesus on the statement of President Aquino that his administration plans to relocate some 560,000 informal settlers back to the province and be given a 2 hectare parcel of land. “These are mostly forested and steeply sloped lands where agricultural opportunities are almost impossible. It is like sending the urban poor families to the forest and uphill lands where they can dig their own graves and wait for their slow death.”

“Even the DILG TWG report on resettlement of homeless urban poor families reiterates that on-site and in-city relocation are the most appropriate to urban housing. It seems that President Noynoy does not listen to the recommendations of his own trusted Secretary Robredo. Where lies the policy confusion?” asked Rep. De Jesus.

“Again, we reiterate that the urban housing problem is an offshoot of unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities. In order to truly respond to this problem in a long-lasting way, Aquino has to realize that the housing question can never be separated from the issues of job and employment. We then again, challenge the Aquino government to start creating jobs and opportunities for the marginalized urban poor settlers, and start working on national industrialization, instead of relocating the urban poor to areas where opportunities for better life are nil,” explained De Jesus.

“Habang patuloy na winawalang-bahala ng pamahalaan ang tunay na dahilan ng mga problema sa pabahay at hanap-buhay, patuloy na susulpot ang ganitong mga suliranin;  at mananatiling nakatanghod sa mukha ng pamahalaan ang kahirapang hindi matatakpan ng anumang mga pangakong walang silbi at katotohanan."