2 out of 92 families voluntarily leave Mahiga Creek

CEBU, Philippines - Two weeks after being notified to vacate, two families living within the three meter easement zone along Mahiga Creek expressed intentions to voluntarily leave their homes.

Project Reduce Danger Zones (REDZ) chairman, Atty. Joey Daluz, yesterday shared the positive development in the efforts of the city government to clear waterways from illegal structures thereby minimizing disaster risks.

“Out of the 92 given notice to vacate, two informed the city government that they will voluntarily leave the area. We are preparing the necessary documents before these families leave,” Daluz said.

The former city councilor who now works at the office of Mayor Michael Rama added that the two families do not wish to avail of the relocation prepared by the city government.

“Naa lang silay gipangayo nga assistance in terms of bringing their things as they move out. They did not ask for relocation,” Daluz added.

One family plans to permanently move to Liloan town while the other will rent a place within Cebu City, he continued.

REDZ earlier proposed to the mayor using Block 27 owned by the city government along North Reclamation Area as the relocation site for homes affected by strict enforcement of the three-meter easement zone beside waterways in Lahug, Guadalupe, Kinalumsan and Bulacao.

Further, Daluz did not want to elaborate on the financial assistance to be given to demolished settlers saying the team has yet to finalize that matter.

”Not yet. But DSWS is helping us to determine where to get funds to assist the settlers, if it’s from disaster fund or what. In our next meeting, DSWS will present to us the process and what are our options,” he said.

Another potential source of funds is what Division for the Welfare of the Poor (DWUP) reported during yesterday morning’s regular REDZ meeting.

”DWUP reported to us that their office has more than P4 million from the balance of the housing assistance to displaced settlers. We are checking on the guidelines on how to tap this fund as well. No guidelines yet but this is aimed to ameliorate and improve the lives of our urban poor,” he explained.

Moreover, Daluz shared three things that exempts a demolition from a court order namely: a government infrastructure project in the area, consideration of public nuisance, and posing high risk in case of flooding.

Despite this, the REDZ chairman stressed that they will continue to talk to settlers in the same way that the city government is looking for potential developers on embankment projects for city creeks and rivers.

”We are meeting a lot of people including those who did the Pasig River. I sent e-mails to people who have done projects similar to what we envision Cebu City to have,” Daluz said.

Yesterday, Manila-based potential developer conducted ocular inspection in Mahiga Creek where they will base their proposal in developing the area. (FREEMAN)