PNR to demolish shanties for Caloocan lines rehab

The Philippine National Railways will push through with the scheduled demolition of shanties along its right of way in Caloocan City next week despite opposition from some groups of affected squatter families.

"The clearing operation will start on Nov. 24. as scheduled," said Ric Domingo of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail).

Northrail is one of the agencies that recently signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) with the PNR, the Caloocan City government, the urban poor groups and other agencies to pave the way for the rehabilitation of the railways within the city.

Domingo said that those affected, especially in Barangays 1, 2 and 80 in District I, have volunteered to be relocated.

As this developed, Roberto Caoile, president of the Samahang Residente ng PNR Site Homeowners Association Inc., in a letter to The STAR, said that his group will question the legality of the program.

Caoile claimed that the more than 600 squatter residents in Barangay 1, 2 and 80 are "not totally amenable to the demolition/relocation."

He said that those who signed the MOC were only "house renters" and not "house owners." He added that even the renters later changed their decision and executed an "affidavit of retraction."

Caoile said, the renters signed "due to deceptive and forcible pressure tactics by Northrail agents aside from insufficient conduct (sic) of public hearings and consultation among residents."

Domingo, however, just shrugged off Caoile’s claims, saying the group’s number is "too small" compared to those who have agreed with the project.

"All legal and technical processes were already employed in this matter," Domingo said. "Those who continue to oppose the program have no alternative but to vacate the property."

Under the Northrail relocation program, qualified beneficiaries will be relocated to its housing project in Harmony I and II Subdivision in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

Aside from this, Northrail will also provide a P93,000 subsidy for each housing unit with free electrical and water installations plus two weeks food supply to the relocated families, Domingo said.

Caoile, however, doubts Northrail’s offer, saying its housing project still lacks basic facilities aside from being too far from the urban center where the affected families are working.