Talks with affected families start - lawyer Yap

The project implementation unit (PIU) of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has started the negotiation with the illegal settlers who will be affected once the implementation of the project takes place.

Lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap, chief of PIU-BRT, said that his office already met with the 60 affected families and told them that they will be provided with relocation and livelihood.

At least P59.4 million out of the total budget for the lot acquisition of the project was set aside for the payment of the structures, relocation and livelihood of these illegal settlers.

Since they don’t own the land, Yap said that his office will only compensate the rate of their structures. A team will also evaluate them to determine what livelihood program that can be given to them.

The PIU-BRT has established areas in Barangays Kalunasan, Budlaan, Lorega and Carreta as relocation sites.

Meanwhile, Councilor Joel Garganera said that he will still have to ask the PIU-BRT to forward him the additional names of those structure owners who will be affected by the project.

Garganera sponsored an ordinance before the City Council, which finalizes the list of structure owners who will be affected by the project.

However, Garganera said that he has to lay this on the table since several structure owners along the route said they were not included in the list.

Once it will be finalized, Garganera said he will present his proposed measure again before the Council for approval.

The proposed ordinance is needed for the BRT project since it will impose a moratorium on the construction of new structures along the route. /