Thursday, August 30, 2007 No aid to fire victims; City to ensure relocation site safe
UNLIKE other fire victims in Cebu City, some 50 families in Sitio Bato, Barangay Ermita have yet to get their share of housing materials from the City Government.
The distribution of the housing supplies was put on hold to keep the families from rebuilding their homes in Bato, which is considered an unsafe place for them.
Prone to flooding
Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will not allow a relocation until the City fills up the area where the families’ shanties used to stand. The families occupied the breakwater in Ermita before the fire struck last May 8.
Osmeña yesterday said he wants the area filled up first before a relocation is allowed since it is prone to flooding, making it unsafe for the public.
“Bato is an unusual situation and I still have to figure out how we can fill it up. Onsite relocation is not possible yet because there is so much stagnant water and it’s a breeding site for mosquitoes, dengue and all other diseases,” he told a news conference yesterday.
The mayor said he already suggested that the calamity funds be used for the filling up of the area.
Public safety
A reclamation project in the area going out to the sea was earlier proposed but anticipating problems with various government agencies and the numerous requirements in undertaking such projects, the mayor proposed to just fill up the breakwater or have nongovernment organizations work on it.
“I said we have to fill it up for public safety so we will fill it up so they can move back in then we will give them the housing materials,” Osmeña said.
Some 50 families who were affected by the fire sought temporary relocation at the Carbon market Unit 2, but have asked for the housing materials so they can rebuild their homes in Bato. (LCR)
