Big landowners urged to help typhoon evacuees

Senator Francis “Chiz" Escudero on Monday urged big landowners in the country to give up portions of their properties so that they could be developed into permanent relocation sites for typhoon victims. Escudero however was quick to add that he is not zeroing in on business tycoon Eduardo “Danding" Cojuangco Jr., founder of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) party that the opposition senator left last week. “No need to identify as this is voluntary on the part of those who will heed the call I made in the name of those who are homeless and/or living in danger zones," Escudero said in a text message to GMANews.TV. A clash in ideology with Cojuangco, who chairs the giant conglomerate San Miguel Corp., reportedly prompted Escudero to bolt out of NPC. The senator, however, denied this, saying he just wanted a free hand to plan for the 2010 elections. In a press statement released Monday, Escudero said the parcels of land that the landowners would donate would be converted to permanent relocation sites for current and future typhoon victims. “I call on those who own tracts of land to give up portions so that these lands can be converted into relocation sites for these victims. If they have a hundred hectares, perhaps it will not be too much to ask for them to donate 10 hectares," he said. He also called on big businessmen to invest in setting up factories and businesses in the relocation sites to give typhoon survivors a fresh start. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said typhoon "Santi" affected 11,158 families or 54,630 people in Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and the Bicol Region. Of the number, 3,924 families or 19,356 people are taking refuge in 103 evacuation centers. - GMANews.TV