Rubber tree falls on five houses

CEBU, Philippines - An old rubber tree yesterday fell on five houses along M. Velez Street in Barangay Capitol Site causing serious damage to the houses. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident which the residents believe was caused by an ongoing road widening project in the area.

 The damaged houses are owned by Francisco Galensoga, Greta Galensoga, Cesar Polia, Felix Salve and Melania Carbillas.

Portia Basmayor of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) said the houses of the Galensogas were ones heavily damaged because these were located near the trunk of the tree.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer Nicomedes Leonor blamed the scavengers’ digging at the base of the tree to look for scrap steel. However, the affected residents believe that the falling of the tree was caused by the ongoing construction of a riprap in the area as part of the widening.

Leonor however said that the contractor, Virlo Construction, already promised to have the damaged houses repaired.

“Mipasalig ang contractor nga tabangan ra nila ang tag-iya sa balay pag-ayo sa guba (the contractor has promised to help the owners of the affected houses in the repair),” said Leonor.

The city government has been asking the residents along M. Velez to vacate the place to give way to the road widening project. However, the residents reportedly refused to vacate.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama immediately met with Leonor after the incident yesterday and advised him to coordinate with City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez to speed up the eviction process.

Rama said he is already upset of the delay in the widening of a portion of M. Velez and Don Gil Garcia Streets near the Cebu Provincial Capitol building. According to Leonor, the widening of the portions of the two roads has been delayed because some of the affected families refused to vacate, including those who already received financial assistance from the government.

There are 78 houses affected by the P28-million project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.  (FREEMAN)