City stresses: There’s relocation site for 30 families

CEBU, Philippines - The chief of Cebu City’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor refuted the allegation that the affected families at Doña Pepang Cemetery are not assured of a proper relocation site.

DWUP head lawyer Collin Rossell said that in fact, they have been holding consultative meetings with the 30 remaining families that will have to be displaced amid the city’s plan to develop the cemetery into a public heritage park.

Taking the residents’ sentiments, Tejero barangay councilman Garry Lao said there is actually no site available for the affected families.

In his Facebook account, Lao said barangay officials of Tejero, along with the affected residents, consulted the officials of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel whether there is indeed a relocation site for them.

Lao said Lorega barangay captain Fritz Herrera was even surprised after learning DWUP’s announcement that the 30 families will be relocated to their barangay.

Rosell tagged the claims as malicious and degrading to the city government’s capacity to provide housing projects to urban poor families.

With its current financial capacity, the city is anticipated to construct three medium-rise buildings with 76 units each in Barangay Lorega, said Rossell.

Apart from the 30 families in Barangay Tejero, the buildings will also accommodate around 60 families from Barangay Lorega that were even identified as unqualified.

Lao, known as an ally of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, however, questioned the present development of the proposed condominium.

Rosell answered that they are still in the procurement process for the construction of the buildings, while admitting that the project will take time.

As the illegal structures are set to be cleared before November 1, Lao asked where the affected families would go after the demolition.

Rosell, as a response, said they wanted to emphasize the importance of meeting with the affected residents to hear their concerns and for both parties to come up with a mutual agreement.

It has been discussed during the meetings that the families will stay on a temporary shelter, which is yet to be finalized, until the medium-rise buildings are completed, said the DWUP chief.

The temporary housing sites that are considered are in the barangays of Lorega, Pit-os, Binaliw, San Jose, and Budlaan, among others.  (FREEMAN)