Settlers agree to relocate

The remaining illegal settlers in Purok 12, barangay Tablon have agreed to transfer to the Indahag evacuation center a day before their scheduled demolition.

But the City clarified that only 168 out of the 240 families were qualified to become a beneficiary at the relocation site in Sitio Pamalihi, barangay Pagatpat, this city.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said those who are renters or ‘sharers’ of one household are not qualified to apply for a relocation, and only those real residents will be beneficiaries as certified through the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD).

The 168 families will be given P5,000 each with a relocation while those who refuse to avail the relocation site will receive P20,000 from the owner of the property Himari Corporation.

As the city is still working to clear the relocation site, the families will stay at the evacuation center in Indahag for about 2 months. Sabuga-a assured that the families will live in a temporary shelter that is comfortable and complete with facilities.

He said a school is also just beside the evacuation center, ready to take in transferee students from barangay Tablon.

In a dialogue with the city officials on Thursday, Junifer Eder, one of the affected resident asked the officials to allow them to stay in their houses until the relocation site will be ready.

“Mohangyo lang sa mi, kung wala paman kaha napatag ang among kabalhinan, amo lang sa puy-an ang among gipuyan karon, aron dili mi makaadto sa evacuation

center nga among mga studyante ug mga bata, dili maparalisado ang pagskwela (We are asking you to let us stay in our homes while you are still clearing the area, so that our students’ schooling will not be affected),” Eder said.

Another resident said she was doubtful that the city can give them relocation given the number of families affected with calamities, who also needed relocation.

But Sabuga-a said the city can only do so much, pointing out that it is beyond the city’s control to overturn a court decision.

“Give us 2 months, and then you can transfer to your new home,” he said.