20 families in Sirao to relocate, get financial aid from City Hall

Following the recommendation of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau 7 to have the area vacated for good, at least 20 families in Barangay Sirao have said they want to avail themselves of the Cebu City Government’s relocation program.

Genevieve Alcoseba, Division of the Welfare of the Urban Poor assistant head, said the families will be relocated to a City-owned property in Barangay Guba. Each family is expected to receive at least 100 square meters along with housing materials and financial assistance from the City.

“Our target is to keep them from danger, but as of now, we’re doing things one step at a time. Were still finalizing our assessment of the temporary relocation area and the validation of the affected families,” Alcoseba said. She said DWUP already met with the affected residents, but will be conducting another consultative meeting with them, so that the City Government can identify which assistance should be extended first. Alcoseba explained that while all of the 80 affected families are asking for financial aid, they differ in requests for housing materials, relocation and livelihood assistance. In the meantime, City Hall will be clearing out roads in Sirao so that the residents can continue with their farming activities, provided that they stay the night in “safer” grounds.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, deputy mayor for infrastructure, said that road repair can’t be done in the area since geologists have advised to stop all engineering works as this will only aggravate the continuing ground movement. /