Permanent relocation assured for 200 families

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has assured the 200 families temporarily living at Ganghaan, Zone Ahos in Barangay Paknaan that they will be transferred to a permanent housing site.

Cortes gave the promise during an advance party blowout tendered by the residents to him. Amid threats of a possible preventive suspension for transferring the 200 families out of a danger zone, Cortes said he is not afraid for making sure the people are in a much safer place.

 “Ang kaso pwede atubangon pero kung naay mamatay dili na mapabangon,” Cortes said, emphasizing that the evacuees have been living in flood-prone area and many times they were forced to evacuate during heavy rains.

The mayor said he does not want any of his residents dead due to flooding or flashfloods.

Cortes has been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the President for transferring the residents in the area that is claimed by a private person. The city government, however, insisted that the property is owned by the government.

According to Cortes, what he did was to only protect the lives of the people and the interest of the city.

Earlier, Maria Priscilla “Happy” Melendres filed a case against Cortes, City administrator Jamaal James Calipayan, and Buddy Alain Ybañez, head of the City Risk Reduction Management Office, for allegedly violating Republic Act (RA) 7161, a law that prohibits cutting of mangroves and forest products, RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Practices Act, grave misconduct, and conduct unbecoming of public officials.

Melendres also filed a case against Cortes and four city councilors before the Office of the President and the Office of the Ombudsman for oppression, gross misconduct in office and grave abuse of authority as well as violation of Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. (CEBU NEWS)