The Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee on Informal Settlers (MMIAC) has identified at least 5,000 squatter families, majority of them dwelling along creeks and waterways considered danger zones, as the initial beneficiaries of its Comprehensive Shelter Program (CSP), a relocation project for informal settlers in Metro Manila.

In its first organizational meeting at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the MMIAC laid down priority areas for the implementation of the CSP as pre-identified by the MMDA and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando identified these priority areas as Damayan Lagi, 11th Street, and Sta. Cruz along San Juan River in Quezon City; Barangays 177, 135, 178, 179, 180, 181, and 182, which cover Estero De Tripa De Galina in Pasay City; and Old Balara (West and East side) in Commonwealth Avenue; and Masambong and Manresa in Araneta Avenue, also in Quezon City.

There are a total of 3,290 families living in these identified areas, according to Fernando, who is concurrent chairman of the MMIAC.

“We have selected these areas because they are located along the waterways, which are danger zones. Qualified informal settlers here will be given housing benefits based on the guidelines of the Comprehensive Shelter Program,” Fernando said.

The NHA, under General Manager Federico Laxa, vice-chairman of MMIAC, also submitted to the committee 11 priority areas for relocation.

These are Buting, Pasig; Santolan, Mindanao Avenue, Balintawak, Quaipo, Nissan Tatalon, Pasay, Estero de Paco, R-10 Navotas, Market 3 Fishport of Navotas, and Sta. Cruz.

The NHA said 2,164 families live in these communities.

The inter-agency committee is ironing out proposed implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 803, which was signed by President Arroyo on May 21 formally creating MMIAC.

The EO 803 directed MMIAC to “plan, coordinate and implement, in coordination with concerned government agencies, a comprehensive shelter program for informal settlers affected by government priority infrastructure projects and those living in danger areas within Metro Manila.”