By Ahikam Pasion
BOLINAO, Pangasinan—The municipal government of Bolinao is preparing to relocate more than 1,000 fisherfolk families from coastal informal settlements to a planned housing village as part of a broader program aimed at coastal safety and tourism management.
The fisherfolk housing project will be built on an 18-hectare reclaimed area near the port in Barangay Arnedo. The initiative seeks to move families currently living in high-risk shoreline areas into a designated and organized community while keeping them close to their fishing livelihood.
Mayor Jesus Celeste said proximity to the sea remains a key consideration, given that fishing is the primary source of income for the beneficiaries.
The local government has allocated ₱35 million from its savings for land development and site preparation. According to municipal officials, all required permits for the project have already been secured.
The municipality is also coordinating with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to obtain additional funding for the construction of housing units. Each unit is planned as a single-story structure with a floor area of approximately 60 square meters.
Under the program, beneficiaries are expected to pay around ₱300 per month over 25 years, an amount the local government described as manageable for fisherfolk households.
Celeste said the housing initiative is part of the town’s coastal management efforts, which local officials view as necessary for improving safety along the shoreline and maintaining the appearance of areas frequented by tourists.
The relocation is expected to reduce risks faced by families living in hazardous coastal zones and clear portions of the shoreline targeted for environmental management and tourism use.
As a condition of the program, beneficiaries will not be allowed to sell their housing units, although ownership may be transferred to their heirs to ensure long-term residential security.