BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — Close to 200 families settling in Sitio Hilltop, Barangay Roosevelt in Dinalupihan, this province, aired Tuesday an appeal to President Aquino to spare their community from underdevelopment.

Members of the Roosevelt Environmental Livelihood Employment Skills Association (RELESA) led by its president Diosdado P. Arreza Jr., and the Good Samaritan Neighborhood Association are asking Aquino to help them secure access to electricity.

The group of residents said they have been considered informal settlers even if the land on which they reside have long been donated to them, said Arreza.

This is contrary to the claim of the some local officials and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) who have allegedly blocked the installation of electricity in their community.

The residents appealed to Aquino to facilitate the connection of electricity in their area by the Peninsula Electric Cooperative General.

They also sought the help of Bataan Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia to mediate with those opposing to their welfare so that basic services may be enjoyed by their families.

The RELESA area, composed of more or less 14 hectares of hilly and forested areas was reportedly donated to them by its owner Chua Young Bing, known as Chua’s property.