Lapu-Lapu City celebrates urban poor solidarity week

CEBU, Philippines -  Around 50 individuals from different organizations in all barangays participated the Urban Poor Solidarity Week celebration yesterday morning in Urban Poor Affairs Office in Lapu-Lapu City.

“This is connected sa national celebration for Solidarity Week” Maria Hiyasmin Lumayag, president of the Federation of Lapu-Lapu City Urban Poor Association said yesterday.

Carrying the theme “Maralitang Taga-Lungsod, Mapagkalinga sa Kalikasan tungo sa Kaunlaran at Matiwasay na Pamumuhay,” Lumayag explained that apart from celebrating the group’s Christmas party, the group found it an obligation to take care of the mother nature.

“Naa mi responsibility aron dili madaot ang (kalikupan)” Lumayag added.

She added that the organization has synchronized the barangay and coastal clean-up works in coordination with the barangay residents every month.

Livelihood, according to Lumayag, is also one of the programs under the office such as food and sari-sari stores, vegetable gardening and shell crafts.

She said it has been around 14 years since the celebration of Solidarity Week of the UPAO that started in Lapu-Lapu City. 

The City had allocated P11.1 million of the UPAO’s programs this year alone and at least 73 active members are identified for the project, Lumayag said. 

City Mayor Paz Radaza graced the first day of UPAO’s Solidarity Week and reminded the group about the upcoming typhoon that was reported to landfall this weekend.

Radaza said they should be alerted and cautious especially to the residents living in the coastal area of the city and they should pack-up if advisory is immediately given to them. 

Lumayag added that the group was informed earlier to brace for any disaster-related occurrences. 

“Gitagaan mi og awareness sa Disaster Risk Reduction Management nya amoang gi re-echo sa community based organi-zations og naay long time preparation for any disaster na mahitabo,” she said.

The Urban Poor’s Solidarity Week starts in December 2 and will end on December 12.

The UPSW was created by the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor through Executive Order No. 82 in 1986 which the PCUP serves as the direct link of the urban poor to the government through implementing relevant programs that would answer for their needs. 

Aside from Radaza, City Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong graced the event. A boodle fight was held to reflect solidarity among the group members and Lapu-Lapu city officials. — JRS (FREEMAN)