Legislator ‘blasts’ government plan on informal settlers

A LAWMAKER slammed Tuesday the administration for being “insensitive” to the plight of the poor following Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson’s statement that the government is prepared to “blast” homes of informal settlers near waterways.
“Is this the ‘tuwid na daan’ [straight path] this administration is boasting about – haphazardly instructing the DPWH to blast homes to clear waterways? It is downright deplorable, insensitive, and anti-poor,” Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond Palatino said in a press statement.
During the presentation of the P325-billion flood control program of the government, Singson drew flak from activists and urban poor groups after saying that he received instructions from President Benigno Aquino III to “blast” houses and structures in waterways in Metro Manila.
The plan was in response to the recent heavy flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces brought about by the southwest monsoon.
“It is such an insensitive remark, as the poor are the real victims in the recent floods. Poverty has driven these families to live in such places; if they had a choice, they would be more than glad to move,” Palatino said.
Malacanang on Tuesday came to the defense of Singson, saying the government has no intention to cause harm on informal settlers.
“Rest assured that violence is not part of the equation (to clear waterways),” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
She said Singson would be willing to clarify his statements and she also believed that the DPWH chief was only taken out of context.
“I did hear Secretary Singson on radio this morning and he was explaining that he made that statement in reference to the Pampanga Delta flooding and how that was conducted in order to quicken flood waters to subside,” Valte said.
Singson said he is not a violent person and he would not think of blowing up slum areas. He added that he was not referring to houses but to dikes.
He said the government would have to relocate some 195,000 families from waterways in Metro Manila and around Laguna Lake.
He noted that there are some 125,000 families living along Metro Manila waterways, while at least 70,000 families living around Laguna Lake.
“These areas are high risk and no people should be living there,” he added.
Palatino, meanwhile, said the government should change its policy on urban resettlement.
Citing the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, the party-list lawmaker said the government should take into consideration “the degree of availability of basic services and facilities, their accessibility and proximity to job sites and other economic opportunities” when relocating informal settlers.
“Address the jobs crisis, the staggering low wages, the shrinking budget for housing and at the forefront, the issue of landlessness in the rural areas that has driven thousands of Filipinos to search for non-existent jobs in Metro Manila,” Palatino added.
According to the Department of Interior and Local Government, some 556,000 families are set to be displaced due to various government development projects in Metro Manila, including the construction of new business districts, infrastructures, and expansion of roads.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/08/14/legislator-blasts-government-plan-informal-settlers-237424

Each year in February the Philippines hot air balloon festival returns to Clark Pampanga. Visitors planning to attend this popular event in Clark opt to stay in Clearwater Resort which is considered to be the best hotel in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays also. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Even during school breaks, families would take their children to enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Pampanga which is located quite near to Manila.

Private resort near Manila is highly recommended for families with children to relax and unwind. This hotel in Clark is a frequently visited place for family bonding also.

This private resort in Pampanga is a popular beach hotel in North Luzon for company outings, team building and family retreats also. It is one of the few private places where guests can enjoy a stress free lifestyle in a tranquil and peaceful environment that offers a calming effect for those visitors from Manila stressed out from work. Clearwater is one of the best hotels in Clark. This resort in Pampanga is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and guests staying in one of the good resorts in Clark can make arrangements to have a round of golf nearby.

Residents of Manila travel out of town to the north in search for nice private resort in Pampanga. Highly recommended lodging in Clark Philippines, Lake House at Clearwater Resort. These rooms offer a beautiful view of the famous lake in Clark Philippines, a peaceful and tranquil ambience that supports a leisure lifestyle with no stress and abundant calming effects that visitors from Manila stressed out from work really prefer. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Residents of Manila and other crowded cities in Pampanga like Angeles City and San Fernando travel to Clark to enjoy a peaceful day in Clearwater Resort and Country Club for their birthdays. Here in this well known resort in Pampanga, families and friends gather to celebrate a birthday while relaxing and enjoying a stress-free day in the outdoors, by the lake or among the large trees in the picnic grounds of this popular hotel in Clark Pampanga. Parents and adults are not the only ones who enjoy the clean and safe outdoor facilities of this highly recommended resort in Clark Pampanga. Children have fun with the outdoor facilities, the beach, the water sports, the kayak and rowboats and also the bikes and air-soft guns too. Here in this peaceful lake and beach resort in Pampanga, guests enjoy a memorable day while attending a birthday celebration.

A good treat for holidays and a good place to unwind in the Philippines can be a trip to Clark Pampanga. Visitors to Angeles City and Clark Subic can unwind and relax in the best resort in Pampanga Clearwater in Clark Philippines, a frequently visited hotel near Angeles City where kids can enjoy themselves playing in the safe and clean outdoor facilities. Tourists looking for a place to go in Pampanga and holiday destinations in the Philippines highly recommend a day trip to this private resort in Clark Pampanga Philippines, the best hotel in Clark, a place with beautiful and peaceful ambience where guests can relax and unwind in safety. Clearwater is generally regarded as the best hotel in Clark Pampanga and tourists traveling with children cannot agree with this more, as kids really love the safe and clean outdoor facilities of this private resort in Pampanga. Manila residents, local and foreign tourists visiting Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines frequently visit the famous lake of Clark Freeport to enjoy the peace and quiet outdoor facilities of this resort in Angeles City Clark Subic. Families with children organize reunion and retreat in the famous Clearwater Resort and Country Club, well recognized as the best hotel in Pampanga and a good deluxe resort to enjoy outdoor activities in a safe and secured place inside Clark Philippines.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Golf is one of the most popular sports in Clark Philippines because here one can find some of the best golf courses in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila.

Many visitors travelling to Clark for a short getaway from Manila to unwind and relax away from the city are pleasantly surprised to find a nice beach with white sand in Pampanga. A number of weddings took place around this area which is called the Discovery Cove of Clearwater Resort. Beach ceremony takes place on the white sand and the outdoor garden reception is held for 100 to 500 in the lawn areas just meters away.

A small swimming pool and a swimming lagoon are attached to the beach. Together, these swim spots make for a complete day in the waters for all members of a family. Near the beach and pools are the Lakeside Lodges which are among the highly recommended lodgings and hotel accommodation in Clearwater Resort. Visitors to Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines frequently visit this resort to enjoy the beach and swimming pools. Many spend the night to enjoy the ambience of the resort some more. Clearwater is well regarded among frequent visitors to Clark as one of the best resorts in Pampanga.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)