Bermejo mulls relocation sites for over 13,000 squatters
ROXAS CITY – City Mayor Vicente Bermejo vowed to have the over 13,000 squatters transferred to relocation sites in the near future.
This assurance was made by Bermejo after the blessing of five heavy equipment on Friday which was acquired by the city government to be used for its various infrastructure projects.
“I want to leave Roxas City after my term as mayor with more developments and put everything in place and in order,” Bermejo said.
According to him, the proposed six hectares in Tanza and Brgy. Saguan will cater to some 5,000 informal settlers in the city which already represent 40% of squatters in the city.
He said that many squatters are staying on the river banks placing their lives in danger especially during the typhoon and other calamities.
The city mayor said that he has already asked the help of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to address the problem on squatters.
He said that the city government will soon conduct a clearing operation in 47 barangays of all squatters to be relocated in the proposed relocation sites of the city.
Meanwhile, Bermejo said that all main thoroughfares in the city will be lighted such as Fuentes Drive, San Roque, and Punta Tabuc streets. He added that the city already lighted the Plaza to Magallanes going to Banica and Banica Bridge going to the city plaza.
“The taxpayers’ money is given back to them through lights and more projects which benefit them,” Bermejo said.
He said that he also appealed to the business sector to pay their taxes so that it can help the city’s development in which according to him, 90 percent responded.
For flood control, Bermejo said that the city government has conducted de-clogging operations on all drainage systems and dredging of river banks in the city to avoid the occurrence of flashfloods during the rainy season.