MABALACAT CITY – Three families and informal settlers affected by the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) in this city have been safely relocated in Barangay Atlu Bola, as part of the Strengthening the Transition of Vulnerable Communities (STVC) project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Officially becoming homeowners, these affected families expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the local government, DOTr and STVC for facilitating the smooth transition of the relocation.
Along this line, a dialogue was hosted by the Mabalacat City government between the DOTr, Japan Foreign Ministry and the affected families of the MCRP held at Mabalacat City Hall Annex on Wednesday, June 15.
The STVC aims to ensure the sustained livelihood and welfare of the families affected by the MCRP, and is funded by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, and implemented by NIRAS Asia Manila, Inc. in partnership with the World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.
DOTr Undersecretary Timothy Batan said the STVC project focuses not only on infrastructure but also beyond. In planning, he added, affected families including informal settlers are included in their projects.
Together with USec. Batan were Japan Ministry of Finance – Multilateral Development Banks division deputy director Takafumi Mafune and JMOF-MDB division official Hayato Miura, city administrator Franco Madlangbayan, city planning and development officer Rosan Paquia, city information officer Jay Pelayo IV, and STVC deputy team leader Len Manikan, as well as the affected families.
