Park for seniors to be expanded

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has ordered at least 30 vendors and street dwellers to vacate the premises of the building occupied by the Building Maintenance Service because the structure is set to be demolished anytime soon.

Raquel Arce, chief of the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancementteam, said Mayor Michael Rama himself wants the area cleared fast so it can be converted into a public park, which an extension of the Senior Citizens Park nearby.

The city-owned property is located across the Cebu City Hall facing the sea.

Arce visited the city-owned property recently to conduct inventory and to inform occupants of the impending demolition.

She said at least 22 illegal squatters and six legitimate vendors from Unit 2 of the Carbon Market are staying around the structure. The vendors were forced to transfer to another area following the fire that hit the market earlier this year.

“Ato silang pangitaan karon og space sa Carbon ang mga vendors, while ang 22 ka dwellers, ang  Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor na ang bahala nila if mo-qualify ba sila for a relocation site,” Arce said.

As a standard operating procedure, Arce said they will still give the occupants a 72-hour notice to leave the area prior to the demolition, which will be undertaken by the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

Engineer Jose Marie Poblete of DEPW said they will start destroying the building as soon as BMS vacates the place.

Currently, BMS reportedly uses the old building as a storage area for equipment, among others. BMS personnel have transferred the equipment to their new office one at a time.  (FREEMAN)