SAN JOSE, Antique – To pave the way for the construction of a P50-million Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) building, informal settlers at the Barangay Maybato Sur reclamation area here are preparing to relocate to Barangay Mapatag in Hamtic town.
“We expect the informal settlers to start the construction of their houses in the relocation site since we have delivered their needed lumber,” said Eby Butiong, provincial government housing board secretary.
Butiong said 10 of the 18 affected informal settler families opted to transfer to the relocation site. The remaining eight chose to stay with their relatives.
The lumber was part of the assistance provided by the provincial government and the PENRO for their relocation, while the eight families were each provided P10,000 in financial assistance by the provincial government for their subsistence.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on March 17, led by Environment secretary Roy Cimatu.
Cimatu cited the need to transfer the PENRO building to a new location because the present office stands on a landslide-prone area.
He said the PENRO building to be constructed in Barangay Maybato Sur would also enable its personnel to closely monitor the historic Malandog River where the first Malay barangay in the country was established.
“PENRO’s presence will ensure the river’s cleanup,” Cimatu said. (PNA/PN)
