BULACAN - Incoming DILG Undersecretary for the Urban Poor, Informal Settler Families (ISFs) and other Special Concerns Emily O. Padilla, together with the personnel from the Office of the Undersecretary and DILG Regional and Bulacan Provincial Office, conducted a site inspection in several resettlement sites in Bulacan on August 5 to see the current condition of the sites and the relocatees.

Prior to the actual inspection, the team had a separate meeting with the local officials of the City of San Jose del Monte (CSJDM) and Pandi, NHA Program Manager Ramon Paragas and other project developers to discuss some of the issues with relocation such as the provision of water and electricity.

After this, the group proceeded to Towerville Phase 6, at Brgy. Gaya-gaya, CSJDM followed by the Micro-Medium Rise Building (MMRB) at Brgy. Mapulang Lupa, Pandi.

During the inspection, Incoming Usec. Padilla conversed with some of the residents at Towerville and asked about their condition while living in the area.

Kris Ann Batalia, one of the relocatees, shared that one of their main concerns was the high fees of water and electricity which take up almost half of their daily wage. But even with this plight, she said that they still prefer their new house now compared to their previous one.

"Mas maganda na dito. Sa pinanggalingan kasi namain, konting ulan lang, bumabaha na. dito hindi naman," Batalia said.

"It is better here because it does not flood. From where we came from, the water quickly rises even if it's just light rain," Batalia said.

After the inspection and meeting with the local and housing officials, Incoming Usec. Padilla said that they have to work together to solve the problem on relocation. She further reiterated President Duterte's pronouncement that if there is no relocation site, there should be no demolition.