Lagtang market settlers stay, wait for city’s aid

Informal settlers temporarily residing at the Talisay Public Market in Barangay Lagtang did not leave the area after the Talisay City government failed to distribute the promised financial assistance yesterday.

The settlers earlier agreed to leave the market before the month ends in exchange for a financial aid of P10,000.

The market will be utilized as an extension of the Talisay City College Technological Vocational

Lucia Lindog, 62, one of the affected residents, said they will use the promised cash assistance to rent a room.

They already found a room but they cannot transfer as they need to pay in advance rent good for one month and another one month as deposit.

She said they are disappointed because they were promised to get the P10,000 yesterday and they have voluntarily dismantled the structure where they are staying.

Sergio Darunday Jr., 33, the group's president, said most of them skipped work for the supposed distribution of cash assistance yesterday.

City Administrator Rudelyn Navarro admits that the scheduled cash assistance distribution was supposed to be yesterday.

But due to the turn over ceremony of the multipurpose building donated by Aboitiz foundation, all officials including the department heads attended the activity.

But she clarified that the fund is ready for distribution.

Once each of the affected family receives their cash assistance, they will immediately leave and the city will start fencing the area.

She said the distribution of the financial aid will be done today. Vehicles will also be provided to move their belongings to their new homes.

These families were originally residing in Sitio San Rafael, Barangay Tanke but they moved to the old Lagtang Market after the owner of the lot they were occupying decided to develop the property.

It was former mayor Jhonny V. delos Reyes who gave these families the permission to stay in the old market.