Families affected by Mahiga clearing ops to get P10T each

Owners of at least 121 structures along the Mahiga Creek in Mandaue City that were affected by the clearing drive last week will receive assistance from the city government.

Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing approved the released of P1.2 million or P10,000 financial assistance to each of the families living along the Mahiga Creek in Sitios Sapasapa II, Marna, Riverside A and B and Nawano in Barangay Subangdaku.

According to Quisumbing, the area should be clear from any illegal structures and the city government has long been sending notices to the families to vacate the area.

The mayor's approval for the release of funds was based on the recommendation of the Beneficiary Selection Committee (BENSELCOM), but is still subject for the approval by the City Council.

But the committee reminded that structure owners can only get their financial assistance if they can submit the necessary documents.

Edgardo Sanchez, community affairs organizer, said the documents that can be shown by the structure owners could be the electric bill, water bill, school certification or any proof of residence.

Sanchez explained that if the families affected can submit documents that will prove that they have been residents in the area on or before March 1992, they will be given the financial assistance.

Amelita Chefe, president of MARNA, said her situation is difficult since their barangay captain won't give them a barangay certification as proof of residence.

But Leopoldo Chavez, one of the representatives of the urban poor, clarified that in case they cannot secure government documents, they can submit the dedication certificate of the church or any nongovernment organization that can verify their stay in the area.

Chavez said they can also present a voter's certification.

The families living within the danger zone will be relocated to the 6.5hectare relocation site in Barangay Paknaan.

Garry B.Lao/ATO

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