Group flags flood-prone relocation site in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday flagged a relocation site in Pampanga province for being situated in a low-lying area prone to flooding, noting that the resettlement was conducted without adequate consultation with residents.

“Philippine authorities disregarded the rights of residents who were removed from a small island in Pampanga province for a flood control project and relocated to a site with chronic flooding and few livelihood opportunities,” HRW said in a report.

It noted that the relocation site in Barangay Candelaria, Macabebe, was “formerly a fishpond that floods throughout the year,” making it difficult for residents to access basic services and livelihood opportunities.

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According to HRW, 90 families were relocated to the area in 2022. These families used to live on Pulo Island along the Pampanga River until then Macabebe Mayor Annette Balgan ordered the dredging of the area.

Standards not followed

HRW said residents were not “adequately consulted” on the move and did not have sufficient access to information, based on interviews it conducted with 35 residents of the relocation site from July to August.

It added that local authorities who implemented the relocation “did not follow national or international standards.”

It pointed out that the National Resettlement Policy framework of the Department of Human Settlements states that “resettlement sites should not be located in areas with exposure to natural hazards,” such as “low-lying and flood-prone areas.” /cb