5 families displaced by landslide get aid

CEBU, Philippines - Five families affected by a landslide Saturday evening in sitio Lub-ang in barangay Casuntingan, Mandaue City received relief goods yesterday from the Mandaue City Social Welfare Services Office.

CSWS chief Violeta Cavada said the families will be temporarily relocated at the Cabancalan Elementary School for fear of another landslide as rains continue to pour.

Cavada said the city will also look for ways to find a permanent place for the affected families. She said these families did not qualify for housing at the 6.5 hectare relocation site in barangay Paknaan since the beneficiaries of the relocation are only those living near waterways.

Barangay Casuntingan captain Oscar del Castillo said he had told these families to relocate considering that the place is a landslide- and flood-prone area but his warnings were unheeded.

Del Castillo said about 60 families live in sitio Lub-ang, and he hopes the city government can find a relocation site for them.

He said he will also ask the barangay council to adopt a resolution that would seek to grant financial assistance to the affected families. (FREEMAN)