CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña is planning to use the controversial Osmeña Shrine lot in Barangay Kalunasan to build a drug rehabilitation center.
The incoming mayor said the area will no longer be used for socialized housing nor public cemetery as earlier planned. Osmeña said whatever illegal structures in the area will be demolished and no relocation site will be given to those who occupied the area.
“We have to clear them up,” Osmeña said.
According to him, he has decided not to push through with the socialized housing after learning that some people are already starting to occupy the 4.2-hectare property.
Osmeña said his first plan was to use the property as cemetery. However, the plan was strongly opposed by the residents of Kalunasan.
“We are going to use it for public good, we are not going to use it as cemetery because there is no public acceptance within that issue so we will respect that,” he said.
He said he will look for another area to establish a cemetery. The area, according to him, will be used to build a drug rehabilitation center to address the drug addiction problem of the city. — (FREEMAN)