P25M set aside for city’s relocation sites

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government is setting aside at least P25 million for the development of about 13 relocation sites of the city to make these areas safer and livable for the city’s urban poor beneficiaries.

The 13 relocation sites are located in Barangay Pit-os, Tisa, Budlaan, Lorega-San Miguel, Talamban and Labangon.

The site development projects include construction of concrete pavement in Pit-os amounting to P1.5 million and P4.57 million for the  construction of a drainage system and a concrete pavement in Uppersights, also of Barangay Pit-os.

Two relocation sites in barangay Budlaan, particularly occupied by United Communities Homeowners Association (HOA) and St. Vincent HOA will get concrete lined canal cover and fabrication, stair railings, concrete pavement and drainage system all amounting to P6.6 million.

The cemetery turned housing site in Lorega-San Miguel will get P2.4 million for the construction of a perimeter fence around the newly- constructed three-storey condominium and P4.3 million for the site clearing.

The Lorega-San Miguel condominium will be installed with a 74-meter perimeter to secure the area and separate it from the rest of the cemetery that is yet to be cleared of tombs.

The date for the clearing of the rest of the two-hectare cemetery is yet to be set.

To recall, only half of the cemetery was used when the condominium project was implemented.

The city government plans to utilize the other half for more medium-rise buildings to benefit more urban poor.

Relocation sites 1 and 2 in barangay Talamban occupied by St. Michael HOA will each get a retaining wall with stone masonry amounting to P2.4 million and P2.2 million, respectively.

The Labangon relocation, particularly occupied by Katipunan HOA, requested P404,462 for a concrete pavement and this was granted by the city.

The relocation site in Barangay Tisa occupied by Sunflower HOA was granted about the same amount for another concrete pavement.

The use of the P25 million for site development projects was approved by the council in its regular session last week.

More site development projects are eyed to develop the city’s relocation sites especially in the mountain barangays. –/MBG (FREEMAN)