Ms. Ronadale Zapata
83321148/8334507
Biggest relocation project successfully
completed in less than a year
VP NOLI MEETS NOV 30 DEADLINE FOR
NORTHRAIL RELOCATION
30 November 2005
De Castro made the statement after reporting that the relocation of
families affected by the Northrail Project in Bulacan has already been
completed.
Meaningful deadline
“Meaningful deadlines like the relocation program are challenging. This
is why I devoted most of my time in relocating poor families from the
railways to their new homes in Bulacan,” he said.
In his report to the Cabinet on the status of the Northrail relocation,
the President congratulated the Vice President and NHA for facilitating the relocation
of 18,644 informal settler families along the R-O-W of the Metro Manila
and Bulacan alignment in less than a year. The
President noted that this is the biggest relocation project in history.
The figure represents 96 percent of the total number of families
subject for relocation. The remaining 4% will be completed by December
10, so that the entire 32 kilometer alignment could be turned over to
the North Luzon Railway Corporation for the North Rail Project.
During his inspection in Bulacan later in the afternoon, De Castro said
HUDCC is
now ready to begin relocation procedures in Pampanga.
Other
deadlines
The Vice President also issued the statement amidst persistent queries
regarding the deadline set by the Black and White Movement and other
groups calling for him to decide whether or not to continue his support
for the present administration.
De Castro said he has plenty of deadlines at present but he is
prioritizing those that would best serve the interest of his
constituents especially the poor.
“I respect the political views of these groups but what I know is that
the people through the constitution has given me until 2010 to serve as
their vice president. That is my ultimate deadline for now,” De Castro
said.
Earlier, De Castro said he remained firm on his stand to support the
Constitution and the rule of law, particularly on the issue of
presidential succession.
At the same time, he urged public officials, both active and resigned,
to focus on their jobs so that more meaningful deadlines can be met and
beaten.
“I do believe that we can fight poverty and homelessness if we could
only minimize, if not totally stop, too much politicking in the
country,” he added.
Ref.
VPMEDIA 05-185