Tom, Cutie offer cash to displaced Mahiga folk

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City representatives Tomas Osmeña and Rachel “Cutie” del Mar have already set aside P256,000 in financial assistance to 32 families who were affected by the clearing operations in the Mahiga Creek in Barangay Mabolo.

City Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the committee on urban poor, said the financial assistance will be distributed tomorrow morning at the site.

 Each of the 32 families will get P8,000 from Osmeña and Del Mar from their Priority Assistance Development Fund. The assistance will be released through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Dizon told reporters that the agency has already verified the master list of all beneficiaries in Mahiga Creek.

Osmeña set aside P5,000 while del Mar is giving out P3,000.

Osmeña earlier criticized Mayor Michael Rama for not providing a relocation site and financial aid to the displaced settlers.

The mayor was adamant that neither relocation nor assistance would be provided to the affected families. Rama said the demolitions should be done before the rainy season as creekside houses not only obstruct the water flow but also face the risk of being swept by floodwaters.

The mayor said he also wants the creek cleared of houses to allow dredging and cleaning activities there.

Even if the 32 families get cash assistance from Osmeña and Del Mar, Rama said he is still willing to provide them a relocation site if they will qualify.

One of the qualifications for them to avail of a relocation site is that the applicant does not have a house within Cebu City, but Noel Artes, head of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division, said some of the affected families whose houses they demolished in Mahiga Creek have other houses in nearby areas.

“Bisan gani ang ilang presidente sa asosasyon nga si Gemma Rosaceña dunay balay diha duol sa Cebu City department sa barangay Carreta samtang kana si Antonio Ycot Sr. dunay duha ka balay nga anaa gihapon sa tampi sa Mahiga Creek habig sa Mandaue City,” Artes said.

Rama said he is happy that the two congressmen decided to give financial assistance to the affected families because the city will only give them a relocation site.

The mayor claimed that he was just misquoted in earlier reports that he will not give relocation sites for the affected families.

“Mao bitaw kadto nga gibuhatan nato sila og temporary shelters kay aron adto usa sila didto mopuyo samtang mag-andam pa kita sa ilang relocation sites, apan wala may mipuyo,” he said.  (FREEMAN)