Binay orders relocation of business district settlers

MANILA, Philippines - All informal settlers in Makati City’s Botanical Garden, even those who did not lose their shanties in last Thursday’s fire, will be relocated, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said yesterday.

Some 300 families were left homeless after the fire spread through the shantytown near the Makati Medical Center, which is in the heart of the city’s central business district.

“We will prioritize the relocation of all families residing in the area, which has been identified as a danger zone and falls within the areas ordered by President Aquino for immediate clearing as it lies along the creekside,” Binay said.

Binay said the families will be relocated together with informal settlers from Barangays Tejeros and Bangkal to a site near the Skyway.

He also directed the city’s engineering and environmental services personnel to clean up the burnt portion of the garden and put up a temporary perimeter fence to prevent the informal settlers from rebuilding their shanties.

The city’s social welfare department and barangay officials have provided families with tents, mats and blankets along with relief goods and clothes, officials said.