800 families have to go: Speed

Saturday, February 11, 2012

SOME 800 families in Cebu City will be affected by the clearing operations of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment and Elimination Division (Speed) in the coming days, said Speed chief Noel Artes, after the final notices have lapsed.

The informal settlers living near the banks of rivers and creeks are the subjects of the operation.

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Artes said that 116 of the families along Alviola St., Barangay Tejero will also have to go because of the opening and restoration of roads going to Barangay Carreta.

He said the illegal structures of some 60 families in Sitio Silangan II, Barangays Tejero and Tinago along the three-meter easement will also be demolished.

The informal settlers are willing to leave but they are asking for financial help from the City.

Artes said he had informed Mayor Michael Rama about their plight and requested that funds be allocated for them.

“Lisod man sab gud kaayo ilang kahimtang. Ingon na man sila nga andam sila mopahawa pero wa sila’y kwarta nga magamit sa pagbalhin (They said they are willing to leave but they just need the money for their transfer),” Artes said.

Artes said Rama has approved the request “in principle” but the mayor needs a formal letter from him.

Assistance

He immediately drafted the letter-request, asking for an initial P5 million as financial assistance to the affected families.

He said the families will get P5,000 to P18,000 as mandated by the Republic Act 7279, also known as the Urban Development and Housing Act.

Those whose houses will be dismantled partly will get P5,000; P10,000 for those whose houses will be torn down; and those with concrete structures will get P18,000, said Artes.

They will be given enough time to transfer before the clearing operation.

Speed will also send notices to informal settlers along the riverbanks of Guadalupe and Bulacao next week.