River dwellers to be relocated

AT LEAST 171 river dwellers at the Oton side of the Batiano River were proposed for relocation at the 1.2-hectare site in Barangay Batuan Ilaud, Oton, Iloilo.

National Housing Authority (NHA) Regional Director Isagani Jalbuena said an onsite validation of the informal settlers was conducted recently in cooperation with the local government unit of Oton.

Partial tagging and validation of informal settlers cover 57 structure owners in Barangay San Antonio; 28 in Barangay Cagbang; 86 in Barangay San Nicolas, all in Oton, Iloilo.

Senator Franklin Drilon, who hails from Iloilo, assured P6.1 million from his priority development assistance fund for a relocation site for the displaced river dwellers.

The river dwellers were earlier planned for relocation as part of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s massive clean-up and rehabilitation drive at the Iloilo River.

Mabilog said it is his mission to clean the Iloilo River and recommended the organization of a committee composed of the Oton municipal government, environment department, Land Management Service and the Department of Public Works and Highways. (Lydia C. Pendon)