30 families displaced by collapsed tree in Manila get new housing units from NHA
32 families living along Estero de Magdalena in Manila board a bus for their relocation to Trece Martires, Cavite on July 27, 2023. The move came after a massive balete tree fell on their shanties on May 18, 2023, which killed two residents. (Photo from Arnold Quizol/MANILA BULLETIN)
A total of 32 families, who were displaced by a tree that collapsed on Recto Avenue in Manila, received housing units from the National Housing Authority (NHA) on Thursday, July 27. The big old tree along Estero de Magdalena creek reportedly fell on several houses of informal settlers last May 18, which led to the death of three people, including a two-year-old. The city government said the families will be relocated to their new homes in Trece Martires City, Cavite. To facilitate the relocation, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said she cooperated with the NHA Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Manila Police District (MPD), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Barangay 294 officials. She added that the affected families are part of the 2,000 target recipients of the national government’s rehabilitation program, which aims to clear coastal areas in Metro Manila. However, the relocation initiatives were delayed due to the pandemic and lack of available funds. Meanwhile, the local government, through the Manila Urban Settlements Office, also distributed financial assistance and food packs to the relocated families. The city government said there are 33 more families that will be relocated in August.