The Quezon City Housing Department clarified that they were carrying out a clearing operation and not demolishing the homes struck by a fire along NIA Road, Barangay Pinyahan, according to a report by RH 5 Val Gonzales.
According to a Thursday report, this was made clear by QC Housing Community Development and Resettlement Department Head Atty. Jojo Conejero, following the tension that ensued as structures were torn down before 2:00 p.m.
Conejero said seven 12-story buildings will stand in the leveled area—a project to be implemented by the National Housing Authority, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the local government—which will reportedly benefit residents.
Those who had pushed back were no longer qualified for housing privileges as they had already been relocated or previously provided housing by the government, Conejero said.
Based on the records of the local housing department, each registered resident has been granted ₱60,000, while each renter received ₱35,000. On top of this, ₱38,000 can be expected from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Conejero said.
“Magtulungan po tayo kasi ginagawa po ‘tong proyekto nito, hindi po para kung kanino man, ginagawa po itong proyekto na ito para sa kanila. Sa kanila po ‘to, walang iba. Ako po mismo sa opisina namin, bilin po ng aming mayor, ni Mayor Joy Belmonte, na siguraduhin na walang makakapasok na hindi taga-NIA Road sa proyekto ng gobyerno rito,” he told Gonzales.
Conejero said that the construction period will last 18 months. The project will be done by Megawide Construction Corporation and CSE Builders Corporation, ensuring that housing follows government standards.
The community housing head said their target turnover date is in December 2027, and that rent will only cost ₱800.
Seven police were injured in the earlier tensions, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10 Commander PLtCol. Zachary Capellan. In addition, five residents were arrested for hurling rocks at authorities during the operations.
