Thursday, December 21, 2006 600 families at port area to get P3M relocation aid from CH
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is willing to spend P3 million to relocate some 600 families living at the port area. Sidewalk vendors, though, can’t expect the same assistance from City Hall.
Osmeña also will not commit to the request of some vendors to postpone scheduled demolitions until after the holidays.
In a news conference yesterday, the mayor asked City Administrator Francisco Fernandez to include in the first supplemental budget for 2007 the P3-million assistance for families at the port area.
All illegal structures at the port will be demolished after the New Year.
“We’ll see if there is a relocation site available for the families but as far as store spaces are concerned, we’re not providing any relocation. It’s pointless because they always want to be in highly visible areas,” the mayor said.
Fernandez said the City does not have to wait for the supplemental budget to be approved since it can fund the P3 million needed. He will just have to work out the documentary requirements for it.
While he sympathizes with sidewalk vendors, Osmeña said he cannot put off the demolition of some stalls, especially if they get in the way of preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit and the construction of government projects.
Heart
“My heart is with them but I have to know which ones are asking for extension because I’m also being criticized that we’re not helping with preparations for Asean or construction of police stations,” the mayor said.
He assured, though, that no demolition will take place without a consultation between City Hall and the affected families.
“But there’s no guarantee that nothing will happen to them. If there is a complaint against vendors, I also have to do something, that’s my job,” he said.
In the case of the Larsian barbecue stalls at Fuente Osmeña area, City Hall will authorize the demolition in the event Capitol asks for it.
Stall owners reportedly refuse to vacate the Province-owned lot even after they were given a relocation site. (LCR)
