Talisay keeps eye on squatters

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government won’t allow informal settlers, especially the professional ones, to march into the city again. 

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, the council presiding officer, informed chairman of the council committee on urban poor Dennis Basillote to look into reports that several urban poor families who were relocated have either sold or rented out their houses to other people.

Basillote said his committee is now preparing for the celebration of the urban poor solidarity week.

There are over 10,000 urban poor families in the city but only less than 1,000 have benefitted from the socialized housing program of the government. 

Now Bucao wants to know from Basillote whether those who live in relocation sites established by the city government come from Talisay. “Daghan kaayo ta og mga urban poor. Naa’y mga relocation site para nila apan ang nahitabo dili man sila ang nagpuyo,” Bucao said. 

This was also echoed by councilors Rodi Cabigas and Charles Basillote. 

Cabigas said after a re-blocking was done at a government area in the city, it was found out that the beneficiaries do not come from Talisay. Some of them have even rented out portions of lots that they do not own, he said.

“We are so lax kinahanglan gyud tutukan sa local housing board mahitungod aning relocation site nga wala na gipangpuy-an kay ilaha naman gipaabangan,” Cabigas said. 

Councilor Charles Basillote, who is also the barangay captain of Dumlog, said the relocation site in his barangay has been occupied by people not from Talisay but from Cebu City.

“Ang atong relocation site, nahimo na gyud og paabangan ug ang nagpuyo maayo unta og taga-Talisay pero dili,” he said. 

Any person identified as a professional squatter faces imprisonment and a fine.  (FREEMAN)