Arroyo stays PNR plan to evict hippodrome folk

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave 600 residents of Hippodrome area in Manila's Sta Mesa district a reprieve of sorts Saturday as she stayed a plan by the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to evict them to make way for a park-and-ride project. Mrs Arroyo issued the order after meeting with the residents for more than an hour Saturday noon. The residents told her about their problem with the PNR plan, prompting her to tell local village chiefs, "Huwag galawin ang mga tao (Don't move these people)." She also shook hands with the residents as she went around the circular road, the end of which has since been occupied by squatters. During a sit-down discussion with village leaders and with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando, Mrs Arroyo described the PNR plan as "maganda pero may tatamaan (nice but may harm someone)." Mrs Arroyo suggested that residents be moved instead to an untitled lot nearby, but was told that the lot is also occupied. She then opted to maintain the status quo after a tour of the area. Also in the meeting were Manila Police District (MPD) head Senior Supt. Danilo Abarzosa, Manila Fire Department district director Sr. Supt. Pablito Cardeta, interior department city director Malou Achevia, Engr. Edgardo Remote of PNR, and Barangay Chairman Rolito Inocencio. - GMANews.TV