New Resettlement Site Mulled for Naga Riverside Settlers

NAGA CITY, Aug. 27 -- In furtherance of its socialized housing program, the city government laid down once again the cornerstone for the development of a new resettlement site in Sitio Salunguigui, Barangay Cararayan, this city.

The one-hectare resettlement area is seen to accommodate 116 family beneficiaries whose home lots will have an average of 60 square meter area each.

Among the first beneficiaries are the informal settlers occupying the legal easement portion of the Naga River and a number of families living under the bridges of Magsaysay, Colgante, Delfin Rosales, and Tabuco.

City Mayor John Bongat recently met with the affected residents to discuss ways and means on how to facilitate their relocation.

The city mayor was accompanied by City Administrator Jun Mongoso, UPAO Chief Engr. Rolly Campillos, City Budget Officer Frank Mendoza, Public Safety Office Head Lito del Rosario and the Punong Barangays of the affected barangays along the river line.

The mayor's initiative came on the heels of the city's desire to rehabilitate the legal easements and the river as a whole, in time for the celebration of the 300th year of the Marian devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in September while securing the illegal settlers' safety by relocating them away from recurring floods and overflow of the river. (PNA)