Market used for dwelling?

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has asked the city legal office and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to look into the reported irregularities committed by unscrupulous individuals who converted a satellite market into dwelling.

The satellite market was built by the city government in Barangay Pulpogan, Consolacion for city residents relocated at the Pulpogan Resettlement Village.

The Barangay Council of Pulpogan headed by Captain Roger Linaboc, through a resolution, asked Mayor Michael Rama to investigate the status of the market.

The barangay officials noticed that unscrupulous individuals are renting out rooms in the market building.

 “It is a public knowledge that most portion of the satellite market area has been converted into residential houses and even served as room or house for rent,” the barangay resolution read. 

“It is very evident that there is violation and or abuse of authority in the side of the homeowners association officers who have long disregarded or neglected the matter despite their knowledge over the fact,” it added.

DWUP chief Collin Rosell said he has not received a copy of the barangay resolution yet as well as the request of the City Council for him to look into the matter. Rosell said he only learn about it when The Freeman called him up yesterday.

“Wala pa ko makadawat sa dokumento apan karong Lunes ako dayon na nga paadtoan ug paimbestigahan,” the DWUP chief said. Since the lot was purchased by the city more than two decades ago, it is still part of DWUP’s supervision.

Several families whose houses at the port area were demolished by the city sometime in 1980s were relocated to the 13-hectare lot in Barangay Pulpogan.

The City Hall records show that most of the families relocated in Pulpogan failed to fully pay their amortization to the city. (FREEMAN)