Monday, May 05, 2008 Village folk oppose San Simon housing project
SAN SIMON -- What seems to be all systems go for the 10-hectare housing project here has been interrupted by opposition from village officials and residents here.
Last week, residents, together with officials of Barangay San Isidro, where the multi-million project will be constructed, sought the intervention of former Mayor Manuel Bondoc.
Led by Councilors Roberto Briones, Hector Bonus, Oliver Sese and Noy Parungao, the group said though the project is for a good cause, it will endanger the lives of its settlers since factories surrounded it.
This was seconded by Bondoc, who said there was already a zoning policy approved by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) sometime in 1996, stressing that the area in Barangay San Isidro was classified as a "highly industrial" area.
Councilor Russel Figueroa supported the villagers' claim, saying that there are three highly industrial factories surrounding the housing project.
"These factories include the Kurimaw lead smelting factory, SKK Steel Corporation and the Myers Philippines smelting plant. The three are classified as highly industrial factories," Figueroa said.
However, Bondoc, who was local chief executive here for three consecutive terms, said they are not opposing the construction and the realization of the project. But he said the location is improper for the project.
"We thank the President for the support her office is giving the Kapampangans particularly the counterpart she gave as assistance for the realization of the housing project here in San Simon," said Bondoc.
However, he said the proposed location of the said project violates the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB)'s zoning regulation.
"If my memory serves me right, one cannot put up residential houses on places or areas classified as highly industrial. Perhaps they can look for other and proper location," he said.
In the long run, if the project pushes through, Bondoc said even the factories will be forced to shut down their operations here.
"Let's just put things in their proper places," Bondoc added. (RCG)
