Friday, June 29, 2007 Housing agency develops area as relocation site
THE National Housing Authority (NHA) is currently undertaking earthworks and off-site waterworks at the six-hectare Phase 2 Laguindingan Resettlement Project.
In a press statement sent to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, the Capitol Press Office said this is intended to prepare the site for the relocation of more than 400 families affected by the airport project in Barangay Tubajon, Laguindingan.
The construction of the P38 million Phase 2 resettlement project started last April and is to be completed on October this year.
Features of the land development component of the project include the construction of roads, drainage and sewerage system, and the installation of power and water system.
There are about 500 families who will be displaced by the airport project.
At present, only 42 families transferred to the existing Phase 1 relocation site and these families were provided with housing units through donations from non-government organizations and other offices, according to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).
In a status report released by the DOTC-Project Management Office, it said these housing units are on top of the compensation package offered by the DOTC. It added that these families have been paid for their lands, residential structures, and other improvements as early as 2001.
However, considering the length of time since they were paid, they have already consumed the payment of their properties and have no more resources to construct houses on their respective relocation lots.
The DOTC is still coordinating with NHA on the possible assistance to the displaced families for the construction of their houses but due to budget constraints, the issue is not yet resolved.
Malacañang has already stepped in to help resolve the issue.
The Presidential Management Staff visited the site on the first week of June to look for possible means to address the situation but everything is still under discussion.
In the meantime, construction of the access road is also expected to commence anytime on the first week of July. This after the DOTC issued the Notice to Proceed to the winning contractor V.T. Lao Construction to start the implementation of the 4-kilometer access road.
The Provincial Government had been instrumental in the speedy acquisition of private lands affected by the access road project.
The DOTC reported that the project is just right on schedule. Its objective is to develop a major trunk line airport of international standards to meet the increasing air transportation demand and to ensure an unconstrained development in the region.
