Victims seek aid to obtain Quiot lot

CEBU, Philippines - Fire victims of Sitio Warwick-Barracks, Barangay Ermita Cebu City who are currently staying at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) are asking for help from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in acquiring a lot in Talavera, Barangay Quiot for their relocation site.

Lawyer Colin Rosell, city Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor head, earlier said the victims have the option to find a lot and the city would buy it for them.

DWUP is the city’s department “assigned to implement socialized housing program and provide services towards addressing the tenurial and housing needs of the homeless citizens.”

Emalyn Aliviano, spokesperson of Kilusan, a non-government organization helping the fire victims, said they did not stop looking for a solution to the problem.

“It so happen PCUP responded to our request. After several searches namo we have decided diri sa Talavera and it’s very convenient,” she said.

Aliviano said DWUP told them that PCUP did not coordinate to help the fire victims, which it should have done considering that the situation is under the jurisdiction of the city.

Aliviano said the only lot the city government could provide for them is in Barangay Budlaan, which the victims do not like because it is not accessible.

She said they told PCUP about the concern of DWUP but were told PCUP is also just helping the victims.

Last Friday, some of the victims went to City Hall to ask for an extension of their stay at the NRA after they were given a notice that today is their last day there and that they must transfer to Budlaan.

Aliviano said they just need time to process the papers in acquiring the lot in Talavera, Quiot.

“Kining lot acquisition with PCUP would really take some time kay dili mana ingon ana kadali especially government transactions. Mao nay gipaningka-motan. We already acquired the copy of the mother title.  We have spoken with one of the owners but it (lot) is handled by a realty corporation,” she said.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said the victims could first find a house they could rent.

“Mo-rent sila mintras tanto out of their income mintras maghuwat sila kay naa man kahay gi-provide ang PCUP. We might look strict but that’s the only way to implement. Dili forever pirmi lang mag-dole out” Mercado said.  (FREEMAN)