P24M NEEDED FOR RELOCATION SITE

Cebu City Hall told to fast track the purchase of a vacant lot for the immediate transfer of the families affected by landslides in the mountain barangays.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) 7 together with the Cebu City Government will develop a P24-million relocation site for the residents of four mountain barangays displaced by recent landslides.

This, after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 called for the immediate resettlement of more than a hundred families living in barangays Adlaon, Sirao, Busay and Babag. Most of the families are urban poor settlers.

“Since they are living in danger zones, we can assist them under the long-term resettlement program that will be extended by the City. We are looking for a big area that is safe for habitation,” said Constancio Antiniero of NHA.

Antiniero attended the meet- ing called by Councilor Jerry Guardo yesterday together with the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to address the plight of the displaced families. Guardo is the chairperson of the City Council’s committee on infrastructure.

Antiniero asked City Hall officials, though, to expedite the acquisition of a property that can accommodate at least 200 families.

In Sirao alone, Barangay Councilor Susan Arcilla said some 90 families have been displaced by the landslide last Jan. 18, with ground movement still present up to this day.

Although the barangay wants to relocate the affected families, she said there is no “safe area” in their village.

In Adlaon, village chief Nieves Narra said 11 families are temporarily taking shelter in the barangay hall after their houses were covered by debris.

Busay barangay captain Amilo Lopez, on the other hand, said the 13 families in Sitio Garaje ordered by the MGB to evacuate will be resettled by the NHA under a separate housing development program.

DSWS yesterday assured the affected families that the City will provide financial aid and housing materials to them.

“We still have to reevaluate the beneficiaries, but the mayor has instructed us to give full assistance to the owners of the houses destroyed by the landslides,” said DSWS chief Lea Japson. /

4 Hectares of land needed to relocate the families affected by landslides in four mountain barangays of Cebu City