Urban poor informal settlers to form group
ANGELES CITY – Some 300 informal settlers from Barangay Pulungbulu gathered at the Angeles City Public Library Function Hall over the weekend to form an umbrella organization.
The assembly aims to voice-out their concerns regarding the home lots they currently occupy and to organize their rank into an alliance and unify their stance in negotiating their home lots with the landowners. The residents have been living in the area since 1960s.
The settlers are members of the Saint Vincent Neighborhood Association (SVNA), Caldera Neighborhood Association, Bisig Damayan Neighborhood Association, Samahang Pangkaunlaran ng San Vicente De Ferrer, Pigulut Neighborhood Association, Tinbig ng Pagkakaisa and Buklod ng Pagkakaisa Urban Poor Association.
Local Urban Poor and Housing Office (Lupaho) Deputy Chief Richard Rivera said “I believe that only Mayor Blueboy and his Team Friendship have a clear plan and commitment to resolve the land issue not only in Barangay Pulungbulu but also in other barangays with the same issue. We are looking for a win-win solution to this matter. It’s about time that we work hand-in-hand and resolve the long time problem of homelessness in the city.”
The urban poor leaders invited Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno and the Team Friendship to solicit their support to this land problem.
“This land issue should be brought up to the city council for review. We are going to follow due process, our land acquisition program may allocate funds to expropriate the land which is to be made through a city ordinance,” Mayor Nepomuceno explains.
Oath-taking of officers also took place at the end of the program.
The Pulungbulu Urban Poor Alliance pledges to support the candidacy of Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno for another mayoralty term and his slate under the Team Friendship.
The Team Friendship is composed of incumbent Councilors Ric Zalamea - running for vice mayor, Lawyer Arvin “Pogs” Suller, Danilo Lacson, Rudy Simeon (seeking another term for City Council), Raf “Pengot” Del Rosario, Jericho Aguas, Dinong De Guzman, Rico Suarez Dizon, Doc Alfie Bonifacio, Lawyer Bryan Nepomuceno, and Abel Pamintuan.