06 April 2006

A due diligence study commissioned by the Korean Export-Import Bank (Eximbank) found the preparations for the South Rail resettlement program “very impressive,” and the affected families themselves generally well-informed and ready for relocation.

Eximbank, along with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of Korea, signed an agreement to provide funding amounting to $15.42 million and $35 million, respectively, for Phase 1 of the South Rail Commuter Project of the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Phase 1 will affect some 31,752 families living along the 40-kilometer stretch from Kalookan-South to
Alabang, Muntinlupa.

The study team found a high level of awareness among the affected families, 98.19% of whom learned about the relocation program from the general assemblies, consultation meetings and information campaign carried out by the local government.

There were no negative responses to the benefits package prepared by government, despite some concerns arising from limited information on the availability of facilities such as water supply and electricity in the relocation sites.

According to the study, the systems for the relocation program prepared by the National Housing Authority (NHA) “ are well in-place and organized.”

It also reports that “PNR/NHA has established a satisfactory procedure for the relocation of the affected families, and the study team is generally satisfied with the stakeholders’ response to the
project.”

From interviews with affected families in Makati, the study determined a 98% awareness about the relocation site and 80% awareness of the relocation package. Of the families interviewed, 75% prefer to move to the relocations sites.

The ongoing voluntary relocation of families from Makati to the Southville resettlement site in Cabuyao
was found to be “very systematic and orderly.”

Some of the relocated families from Barangay San Antonio, Makati expressed positive sentiments after one year in the relocation site. “Mas mabuti rito,” “panatag ang kalooban ko rito, nawala ang kaba, ligtas ang mga anak ko rito,” “masarap dito, mahangin at malapit sa estasyon,” are some of their comments.

But despite its overall positive findings, the study also revealed various concerns that need to be addressed. These include the lack of recent activity in verifying and updating the occupancy status in
three other affected sites—Taguig, Parañaque and Muntinlupa—and the need for further social preparation and disclosure in these areas.

Other concerns are the need to define a target schedule for completing three other relocation sites in addition to Southville, relocation strategies for these additional relocation sites, and income and livelihood restoration for all the relocatees.

Vice President Noli “Kabayan” De Castro welcomed the findings of the Eximbank study, saying that it is both “an affirmation of our preparedness for the South Rail relocation, and an eye-opener on the things where we need to do more work.”

“We learned a lot from our success and the challenges we had to overcome in North Rail, and those lessons will certainly help us in South Rail,” he said.

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