SAN JOSE, Antique – In the first week of September this year, the provincial government of Antique will start relocating 39 families of informal settlers (IS) affected by the proposed “Sunset View” park project.
The relocation schedule was agreed upon during their virtual meeting with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the local government unit (LGU) of this capital town.
“This is a shared responsibility of the provincial government, the local government unit (LGU) of San Jose and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO),” said Eby Butiong, secretary of the Antique Provincial Government’s housing board.
The informal settlers will be moved to the provincial government-owned lot in Barangay Mapatag, municipality of Hamtic.
The provincial government and the LGU of San Jose will provide financial assistance for the transfer.
“The PENRO will be donating logs to be used as construction materials for the houses in the relocation site,” said Butiong.
The Sunset View park will be established in the marine area in Barangay Maybato Sur here. It is expected to become a new tourism destination especially for those who would like to see the sunset.
The project was broached by Environment secretary Roy Cimatu during the ground-breaking ceremony for the new office building of the PENRO also in Barangay Maybato Sur.
Cimatu said he envisioned the site of the project, a reclaimed area, to become a tourist destination.
The building with a sailboat design reminisces the historical landing of the Bornean datu (chieftains) along the shorelines of Antique to establish their first barangay. (PNA)
