Philippines: GABRIELA SEEKS PROBE ON P14.1B C-5 NORTH EXTENSION PROJECT; DISPLACEMENT OF 40,000 FAMILIES LOOM

Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Liza Largoza Maza today led
the filing of a resolution seeking to look into P14.1B C5 North
Extension project that is expected to demolish the homes of over
40,000 families in 10 barangays in Quezon City, including those in the
University of the Philippines, in Diliman.

According to Rep. Maza, “An initial scrutiny of the C5 North Extension
project reveals that this is a potential deathblow to C5 communities.”

The Gabriela solon explained that according to the SONA technical
report P12.77B has been allocated for the C5 North Extension project,
aside from this, an additional P1.4B appears to be siphoned into the
project from various allocations in the national budget such as
“Segment I of NLEX-SLEX connections via C5″ and “7 Major Metro Manila
roads”, bringing the total allocation to P14.1B. Actual construction
is expected to begin by January 2008.

While the project appears to be in full swing, they have yet to
present a concrete program for the relocation of C5 residents. “Our
consultation with C5 residents revealed that no social impact
assessment was conducted to determine how this project could affect C5
residents. No negotiations have been conducted, and no clear
information or program for relocation has been offered to residents.
This is a cause for alarm especially since construction is two months
away,” said Rep. Maza.

The GABRIELA solon stressed, “The massive dislocation that looms would
have an immense impact on the livelihood of an estimated 40,000
families. This is expected to interrupt the schooling of tens of
thousands of children. In projects such as these, rights and welfare
of residents should always be considered.”

Following a consultation held by Gabriela Women’s Party with C5
residents led by the Alyansa ng mga Komunidad Laban sa Proyektong C-5
at Access Roads (AKLAS C-5), Rep. Maza led the filing of a resolution
calling on the “Committee on Housing and Urban Development to conduct
an inquiry into the impending construction of C-5 North Extension
which will result to the demolition of houses and other structures in
certain areas of Quezon City and the displacement of more or less
40,000 families and recommend measures that shall protect the rights
and welfare of the people that shall be affected and if warranted,
make the necessary action to prevent the construction of the project
pending the completion of the inquiry.”

The resolution was likewise signed by Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan,
Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran and Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and
Teddy Casino.

“We intend to put this project to a halt until such time that issues
surrounding its impact on residents is properly addressed and
resolved. We urge Congress to take urgent action on this resolution to
investigate the C5 North Extension.” #

IMPORTANT NOTICE: INBOX is an archive of press releases, statements, announcements, letters to the editors, and manifestos sent to PinoyPress for publication. Please email your materials to pinoypress @ gmail.com. PinoyPress is not responsible for the content of these materials. The opinion expessed in these items does not reflect those of PinoyPress and its staff. Please refer to our terms of use/disclaimer.