De Lima: 2 infra projects may displace 180,000 families

Two multibillion-peso projects under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program

will displace about 180,000 families, according to opposition Sen. Leila de Lima.

Meanwhile, the detained senator is seeking a Senate inquiry into the plan to demolish thousands of houses to pave the way

besides, the construction of the P171-billion North-South Commuter Railway Project and the P23-billion North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEx-SLEx) Connector Road Project.

Senate Resolution No. 927

Further, in proposing Senate Resolution No. 927, De Lima, chair of the Senate committee on social justice, welfare and rural development, wants to look into the social cost of the projects.

“Mega-infrastructure projects such as these rarely, if at all, mention the social costs of these endeavors, particularly the physical and economic displacement of thousands of people just to give way for their construction in Metro Manila’s densely populated areas,” she said in a statement.

She cited apprehensions of residents in Manila’s Sampaloc district about looming forcible eviction and relocation in their communities.

Activities’ rollout

“They have more than once focused on that the concerned offices have neglected to satisfactorily

counsel with them concerning the right-of-way arrangements,” De Lima said.

The NLEx-SLEx venture and the North-South railroad

venture are to be revealed for the current year.

Hence, De Lima said the tasks would result in the pulverization of houses and shops in something like 38 barangays in Manila and uproot around 180,000 families.