San Roque fire victims ask city gov’t for site transfer

CEBU, Philippines - Fire victims of Barangay San Roque, Cebu City who are currently staying at the barangay’s gym are appealing to the Cebu City government for them to be transferred to a more convenient area.

At least 278 families were left homeless in the fire that hit the barangay recently and some have sought the help of the city government for their transfer to a more convenient location.

 With this, City Administrator Lucelle Mercado said that she will set a date so that the families could visit the possible staging area in Barangays Binaliw or Guba.

“Right now, kun imo gyung tan-awon apiki gyud kaayo sila didto kay gamay ra baya intawn ang lugar diha,” she said.

Mercado said that Barangays Binaliw or Guba could also be the relocation area for the families that cannot be accommodated in the fire-stricken area.

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor revealed that only 65 to 68 families may be accommodated in Barangay San Roque.

DWUP chief Collin Rossell said that he is still in the process of finalizing the screening process of the families that are entitled to build back their homes in the barangay.

However, he said that based on the special working order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources dated October 1992 showing a subdivision plan of the area, only 111 home lots were affected by fire.

He said that the actual count of houses destroyed by fire has reached to 138 houses.

“Pero ato pang i-screen kaning mga 109 to 111 families nga naapil sa list sa DENR nga nag-occupy sa area,” he said.

Rossell said that the area was constricted because the easement zone and the national road were also occupied.

“Ang klarong ma-eliminate gyud ani ang naa sa national road, easement, ug sa creek. Ang dili maapil sa allocation ani atong gitan-aw nga relocation sa proposed plan kay sa Pit-os and Binaliw,” he said.

He said that the city government did not delay the process but they are just being careful in the screening process so as not to prejudice the selection.

“We are being objective sa atong criteria nga gi-adopt kay basig ingnon tang namolitika. Wala gyud and we are just being careful,” he said.

He said that he is set to meet with the families listed in the DENR report today at the city hall.  (FREEMAN)