Condo units turned over to city’s informal settlers

CEBU, Philippines — Almost a year after the turnover of the medium-rise buildings (MRB) in Barangay Lorega, Cebu City by a private company, the city government has finally turned over close to a hundred units of the condominium to its recipients.

Mayor Mike Rama, along with Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia and other city officials, spearheaded the turnover ceremony last Sunday.

It took almost a year for the turnover to materialize, as the city government was scrutinizing the recipients of the residential units.

According to the Division of the Welfare of the Urban Poor, the majority of the beneficiaries are from Lorega itself with 59 families who are informal settlers in the area.

There were also nine beneficiaries from Capitol Site, 14 from Mabolo and two from Barangay Tejero that qualified to avail of this housing project.

According to the city’s PIO, among the first beneficiaries are mostly those affected by the city's implementation of the 3-meter easement on rivers and waterways.

“While I am your mayor…while I’m in government, the lives of the poor (become) better, comfortable, (the) rich to share,” Rama said.

He had been in talks with different companies and possible investors in the city to also build MRBs for the poor and those that will be affected by the three-meter easement in the city.

The MRB in Lorega is from the Cebu Landmasters, Incorporated.

This is in compliance with the balanced housing development section of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

The 100 condominium units reportedly cost P115 million.

Each unit has 25 square meters with a small balcony for proper ventilation, a comfort room and shower, and a small kitchen ready to be occupied by the beneficiaries. — (FREEMAN)