VP to new settlers: Remove stigma of being squatters

Vice President Noli De Castro challenged yesterday former railway dwellers that have been relocated to Northville in Bulacan to shed the "stigma" of being squatters.

"Mahalaga ang dignidad na hindi na kayo tatawagin na (It is for your dignity that you’re no longer called) ‘squatters,’ but you are now North Rail residents and homeowners," he said during his weekly radio program "Para sa’yo … Bayan."

For his part, Fr. Nonong Fajardo of Homeless People’s Federation said many phenomenal values of Filipinos were seen in the relocation of affected families to Northville.

Most of the relocated families were inspired to improve their lives after they were awarded housing units in the government relocation site in Bulacan, he added.

Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) advised the lawyers behind the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center’s study on the alleged anomalous North Rail project to review the agreements that require Senate ratification.

NEDA assistant director general Ruben Reinoso Jr. said it was surprising that the $400-million loan from China to fund the $503-million North Rail project was now being questioned because it was never submitted to the Senate for concurrence.

Reinoso said the loan, which requires a $103-million counterpart fund from the Philippine government, is not a treaty but an executive agreement and it does not need ratification by the Senate.

The conclusion being drawn by groups criticizing the loan agreement that allegedly lacks clearance from the Monetary Board is "unthinkable," he added.

Reinoso said there was no bidding for the railway project because the loan agreement provides that the Chinese government will nominate capable contractors and suppliers for the project.

The North Rail contractor has experience in railway construction in South Korea, Africa and the Middle East, contrary to allegations that the Chinese contractor was not involved in any previous railway projects, he added.

It is not possible for NEDA to review the North Rail project without a feasibility study, Reinoso said.

North Rail president Jose Cortez said the UP Law Center should have interviewed them before presenting their report on the railway project.

Meanwhile, former Chinese ambassador Wu Hongbo has expressed concern over the endless debates on the North Rail project.

The delay might send a "negative" message to Chinese and other foreign investors, he said, adding that the commercial contract is "aboveboard."

Wu said he was wary because the endless debates would not serve the best interests of the Filipino people and the Philippine economy.

China granted the loan for the first phase of the North Rail, covering Caloocan to Malolos, Bulacan, and the Chinese government is to fund the construction of the second phase running from Malolos to Clark Field in Pampanga, he added.

Earlier, Budget Secretary Romulo Neri said the $400-million loan granted by China to the Philippines is "aboveboard" and almost a "giveaway" because of the long-term payment period and three-percent fixed interest rate.

China gave the government 20 years to pay off the North Rail loan with a five-year grace period, he added.

Neri said the interest rates for loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, in contrast, are seven to eight percent.

Once completed, the North Rail project, which is minimally subsidized by the government, is expected to generate good cash flow and revenues, he added.

In another development, residents affected by the North Rail Project in Bulacan accused De Castro and the National Housing Authority yesterday of misleading them into signing blank notices that turned out to be waivers allowing the demolition of their houses.

"Because the demolition faces strong resistance from us, the NHA is now in a frenzy distributing blank forms which deliberately violated our rights to adequate relocations and due process," Vivian Francisco, president of United Neighborhood of New Generation in Bocaue, Bulacan, said in a press statement distributed during a weekly forum in Quezon City.

Francisco said the demolition of their homes went beyond the specific guidelines set out by Republic Act 7279, the Urban Development and Housing Act.

The law provides that no demolitions shall take place prior to 30-day notice, during bad weather beyond 5 p.m., during weekends and holidays, and when a court order is in effect, she added.

Residents denied an NHA report that said 6,546 families had volunteered to demolish their houses because it was based on the "blank form," which is actually a waiver allowing voluntary demolition. — With Perseus Echeminada