No displacement in Ciudad, developer says

CEBU, Philippines - Employment and not displacement.

This was the assurance of Fifth Avenue Development Corp., developer of the controversial Ciudad project, to around a hundred residents of Barangay Apas who attended the dialogue yesterday.

Apas officials led by Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman were also present in the dialogue at the barangay hall.

Some residents in adjoining sitios of Apas have expressed concern that they might be displaced once the commercial complex is operational.

But project consultant Roger Gopaoco clarified that the three-hectare province-owned lot is the only area to be developed and is already cleared of squatters.

Ayuman himself said none of his constituents will be affected negatively by the development. He said that when he issued the clearance for the project, he was convinced of the plan to ease traffic in the area, which is the main concern of those who oppose the project.

Gopaoco said that in the construction stage itself, the project will create jobs for the residents of Apas since they need around 1,500 construction workers. Once operational, the commercial complex will be open 24 hours, would need around 100 security guards and at least five employees per stall.

Gopaoco however said that hiring of employees shall follow the normal process of requiring appropriate qualifications for the job one is applying.

Yesterday was supposed to be the scheduled hearing for the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Ciudad Project.

The public hearing was moved on October 21 upon the request of Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

Because of the short notice of the hearing’s cancellation, the development firm decided to go on and with the dialogue with the residents.

Oppositors from barangays Luz, Budlaan, Talamban and Guba were also invited in the public hearing, said Ayuman.

Osmeña requested the postponement to give him time to attend.

The City Council earlier requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct public consultations before it issues ECC to anyone who wishes to construct infrastructure projects within the Banilad-Talamban areas.

The councilors are worried of the possible impact of the project to the traffic problem in the Banilad-Talamban area. (FREEMAN)