Reporter

A MILITANT legislator is seeking an investigation into the proposed creation of Quezon City Central Business District (QC-CBD), or the Triangle Park Project, even as he asked the local government to stop packet demolitions in the city.

Party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis on Wednesday encouraged residents of barangay Central in Quezon City to help lobby House Resolution 302, calling on the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development to conduct an inquiry into the project and its potential impact on the thousands of squatters occupying the area.

“We do not have anything against development of urban centers. But if those so-called development projects will put at risk the interests of our constituents then that is the time that we must act to protect the majority of our people,” said Beltran.

Aside from being blamed for the rampant petty crimes in the area, the squatters are also being accused of stealing electricity and water from the Manila Electric Co. and Manila Water.

Beltran filed the resolution last year following complaints of squatters whose houses were demolished in 2006 to give way to the construction of TriNoma Ayala Mall in North Triangle, also a part of the QC-CBD project. Beltran said he would include the resolution on the list of his priority measures when Congress resumes session on January 28.

He said that like other so-called developmental projects, the QC-CBD poses great threat to thousands of Quezon City residents who will be affected by extensive clearing operations in fulfillment of road widening projects and construction of structures.

“We foresee massive demolitions and displacement of residents in the city under the CBD project. Ngayon pa lang na hindi pa naipapatupad ang CBD, malawakan na ang demolisyon sa Quezon City, lalo pang magkaka-demolisyon kapag nariyan na ang mga proyekto. Lack of urban planning and government concern for the plight of the urban poor often results in the massive dislocation of urban poor residents,” Beltran said.

The CBD project involves the conversion of 2,506 hectares of public land to a mixed-use property where commercial, residential and institutional buildings will be built.

Citing a report of the urban poor group Kadamay, Beltran said the CBD project is expected to displace some 24,500 families comprising of some 122,500 individuals. The Quezon City local government claimed that there are relocation programs but affected residents are still not informed of any plans from the city hall.

Beltran said that the QC local executives must also look into the situation of thousands of residents of the National Government Center (NGC) Housing Project on Commonwealth Avenue.

“Every day, residents of NGC come to my office to seek help with the impending demolition of their homes. Reblocking and summary demolitions of structures owned by beneficiaries and nonbeneficiaries alike are usual activities in many areas in NGC, leading the residents to doubt the security of housing tenure being boasted by the Republic Act 9207, or NGC Act of 2003,” Beltran said.

Stakeholders in tilapia industry set up Best Farming Practices Club

GUAGUA, Pampanga—Stakeholders in the tilapia industry recently met at the Plates and Platter restaurant in this town to establish the Best Farming Practices (BFP) Club to promote the growth and profitability of the industry.

THE Philippines is now awaiting the approval of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) for the country’s application to certify Luzon as free from the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) that usually strikes hogs.

LOCAL treasurers throughout the country called on the national government not to resort to new taxes in raising its revenue haul and just concentrate on collection efficiency and fiscal discipline, similar to what the Quezon City government has been doing since 2002.

THE Western style of government is no longer working for the Philippines, after most of the Southeast Asian nations have overtaken the country in the past years, and authorities should start thinking of paring some of the democratic powers of the people in exchange of boosting the economy.

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has backed the bid of Gonzalo Co to take back the control of the multibillion Gonzalo Laboratories Inc., the manufacturer of Green Cross rubbing alcohol and Zonrox laundry bleach, from his siblings and other relatives.

A MILITANT legislator is seeking an investigation into the proposed creation of Quezon City Central Business District (QC-CBD), or the Triangle Park Project, even as he asked the local government to stop packet demolitions in the city.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Commuters in this Central Luzon city are denouncing the city government for insisting on opening a common transport terminal on the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo (GSO) Road.