Pangasinan cited for anti-illegal squatting drive
Lingayen- – -The provincial government is set to receive another national award, this time as a Best Local Government Unit for its Successful Efforts Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates slated on October 25 at the 5th Level Megamall building B in Mandaluyong City.
Based on the communication sent by Daniel Subido, NDAPSS Deputy Secretary General, to Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., the award is a result of the provincial government’s effective and efficient programs in support to Republic Act No. 7279 or Special Laws on Anti-Squatting.
Alvin L. Bigay, Provincial Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (PHUDCC) Chief, said since the start of the governor’s tenure in 2007, the provincial government has taken bold steps in establishing innovative steps to address the perennial problem on illegal settlers in the province.
These steps, according to him, were necessary to transform the province into a “slum-free” province in the coming years.
Based on data, there are at least 19,000 illegal settlers in Pangasinan, most of which live in the coastal areas, private lots or public lands.
The provincial government has been continuously addressing the problem by establishing resettlement sites for them where they can start decent lives.
The resettlement sites as: Lingayen Gulf Resettlement Project in Pangapisan Norte, Lingayen; Aplaya West Resettlement Project (P12 million project to be financed by the National Housing Authority); Natividad Resettlement Project; and the soon to be developed Estuario Grande Village Project also in Pangapisan Norte in Lingayen.
Bigay said that the province’s mayors are fully supportive of the housing projects and are collaborating to address the squatting problem in their own respective municipalities.
To date, 33 out of 44 towns and four cities in Pangasinan have already crafted their local shelter plans, the highest compliance rate in North Luzon. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)
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