Council wants building, not lots for fire victims

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has asked the city's Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) to design a medium-rise building that will accommodate the 120 structure owners affected by the fire in Palma Street, Barangay San Roque last year.

During its executive session yesterday, the Council said it prefers the building to giving lots to the residents.

"Gamay ra kayo ang 12 square-meter nga lot allocation para sa isa ka pamilya unya kon mag-medium rise building ta, ma-accommodate nato silang tanan and probably makahatag ta’g 15 square meters to 20 square meters lot allocation," said Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr.

The fire hit the area on August 8, 2014 but a year after the incident, at least 64 families were still living in tents at the area – six of them are rebuilding their houses at present.

DWUP Community Affairs Officer Robert Barquilla said that out of the 120 families confirmed to have owned houses prior to the fire, only 72 were given 12 square meter-lot allocations.

"Ang kaning 72 owners, mao rani ang qualified beneficiaries kay ang ubang structure owners, wala na kaabot ang ilang original lot allocation before nasunog og 10 square meter then naa pod uban nga atong gi-clear sa pag-restore sa easement sa creek and sa restoration sa road," he said.

Barquilla said the other structure owners who will not be accommodated in Barangay San Roque will be transferred to other relocation sites in the city such as Barangay Quiot Pardo and Barangay Pit-os.

Gabuya could not help but feel sorry for those who will be relocated. —(FREEMAN)