They’re back! The once cleared, demolished and relocated informal settlements on both sides of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) tracks are now again sprouting like mushrooms on the PNR property.
Slowly but surely, the new and old set of illegal settlers are putting up makeshift tents in the periphery of the PNR tracks, particularly in the Sta. Mesa, España and Blumentritt areas of Manila.
The PNR authorities should immediately put a stop to these nefarious activities of informal settlers by erecting a wall-fence or barbed wires, if possible, along the PNR tracks from Manila to Muntinlupa City to prevent them from encroaching on the PNR property.
Aside from the settlements being an eyesore, the lives and limbs of these informal settlers are exposed to constant danger day in, day out.
—PEDRO REFUERZO JR.,
jn_refuerzo@yahoo.com