Gov’t offers relocation aid for Kalinga roads’ illegal settlers

By Larry Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial government will provide free transport and relocation site of illegal occupants of road-right-of-way areas as a solution to problems hampering road improvement project in the province. 

The provincial government has issued the order for the illegal occupants to voluntarily vacate after notices were given.

Gov. Jocel C. Baac offered free use of provincial government trucks to relocate the families to the relocation site.   

The move paves the way for completion of   on-going Barangay Bulanao – Barangay Balong four-lane road development project of the provincial government on Barangay Laya East portion of the provincial road.

Illegal settlers had mushroomed along that part of the provincial road right of way after the first two-lane road concreting project was completed years ago.

Baac appealed to the families to voluntarily remove their structures on the site so they can use the same materials to build their houses on the relocation site. 

Like in other fast urbanizing places, the province also faces problems on illegal settlers on road right of ways and other government reserved sites.

The provincial government has formed a special committee to resolve the matter in the most peaceful and humane way, Baac said.