5 hectares of port area set aside for informal settlers

The Philippine Port Authority (PPA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Housing Authority and the City of Manila, among other agencies, to set aside five hectares of the port area for over 2,000 housing units to be occupied by informal settlers in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila. The informal settlers will be displaced by Manila Bay’s ongoing rehabilitation. The PPA will also allot P1 billion to the development of the housing project. Port operators International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and the Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) are also among the signatories. — Charmaine A. Tadalan