DWUP to start Ermita reblocking

CEBU, Philippines — Today, the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor will start surveying the fire-stricken area in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City before the fire victims can rebuild their houses.

DWUP Operations Head Genevieve Alcoseba said the survey procedure is necessary because they would know the number of home lots that would be affected.

Aside from that, they will be given an idea for the proper measurement of road for the implementation of the reblocking scheme.

Alcoseba said surveying the entire affected area would take at least three to four days.

“Ang naka-delay namo naa man gud structure ang nahabilin kay og wala pato’y structure, hagbay rami naka-survey,” she said.

Once the survey will be done, the DWUP will proceed with the determination of the proper measurement of roads and pathways.

Last February 5, Sitios Bato, Vendor, and Kastilaan were hit by a fire that damaged 287 houses, displacing 658 families and 2,686 individuals.

Alcoseba said in Sitio Bato, they would implement a 1.2-meter pathway and 5-meter pathway in Kastilaan and Vendor.

She said with the reblocking scheme, the emergency responders can easily access the area in times of emergency.

“Yes og wala’y han-ay, og dili sakto ang porma and wala’y accessibility. Mas han-ay and mas aliwalas and safe ang lugar kay maka-penetrate ang responders in case of emergency,” Alcoseba said.

During the consultative meeting last February 9, the fire survivors agreed with the plan of DWUP to reblock the area.

The DWUP has also informed them to avoid encroachment of properties so that it would not defeat the purpose of reblocking the fire-stricken area.

As of writing, Alcoseba hopes that the fire survivors can rebuild their houses within this month.

At present, the fire victims are temporarily staying at the Carbon Market Unit II and Ermita barangay gymnasium. (FREEMAN)