Conversion of cemetery into heritage PARK: 200 face eviction

CEBU, Philippines — More than 200 individuals or 42 families living at the Cebu Chinese Cemetery are set to be evicted once the process of converting it into a heritage park begins.

In an interview with The Freeman, Dr. Jeffrey Ibones, who was tasked by Mayor Michael Rama to oversee the project, said the development will be divided into several phases.

The development will beautify the old Chinese cemetery through the support of Asociacion Benevola de Cebu Inc. (ABCI).

Families affected by the development will be temporarily moved to the back of the cemetery.

"Samtang nagtrabaho sa laing area, adto sila mag-stay sa luyo. Kay by phase man ang pagpanindot niin," said Ibones.

Those affected are likely to be beneficiaries of the future housing programs of the Cebu City government.

Rama had announced that the ground-breaking of the project is tentatively set for July 12.

The mayor said that the clearing of the illegal structures built in the cemetery has been arranged.

City Hall intends to preserve the place as a site for tourism development.

Rama also assigned the City Health Department to monitor the redevelopment of the cemetery to ensure proper sanitation.

Once becoming a heritage park, the site will be added to the list of the city's tourist attractions, a move that is part of City Hall's Singapore-like vision.

Last week, the city held the groundbreaking of the project that would convert Doña Pepang Cemetery into another Heritage Park.

The Doña Pepang Cemetery’s groundbreaking paved the way for the Asociacion Benevola de Cebu Inc. to proceed with the conversion of the old Chinese cemetery in Barangay Carreta into another heritage park.

Like Doña Pepang, the old Chinese cemetery became a home to informal settlers and those involved in illegal activities that converting both cemeteries into a heritage park is a very welcome development to many. —/LPM (FREEMAN)