Fire victims given 90 more days to stay at block 27

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the reported drug problem at block 27 in the North Reclamation Area, the Cebu City Council has allowed the fire victims from Sitio Warwick Barracks to remain in the area for another 90 days.

This is also to allow the processing of papers for the acquisition of the relocation site in Barangay Quiot to be completed. The city government is acquiring the 11,972 square-meter property owned by Benjamin Kabinque for P16.5 million.

The council yesterday authorized Mayor Michael Rama to sign the contract to sell and deed of absolute sale. The council has directed the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to coordinate with Kabinque to expedite the documentation.

The fire victims from Warwick Barracks are supposed to be relocated to Barangay Budlaan. But they did not agree because the area is allegedly not livable.

Rama said the reported drug problem at the temporary relocation site gives the city more justification not to allow the fire victims to stay long in the area.

Meanwhile, joint operatives of the City Intelligence Branch and Mabolo Police Station seized 37 packs of shabu, 25 sticks of marijuana, and 35 grams of dried marijuana leaves during a saturation drive in Sitio San Isidro, Mabolo Tuesday evening.

Supt. Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said the operation stemmed from reports that drug problem has been very rampant in the place where fire victims from Warwick Barracks were temporarily relocated.

Two teams were dispersed and scoured the place Tuesday night. No one was arrested during the operation.

Cebu City police director, Sr. Supt. Noli Romana, said they have been monitoring the area for two weeks. Romana said they even received reports that some of the city’s most wanted criminals were sighted in the area. —(FREEMAN)