THE Cebu City Government has allocated P1.2 billion to renovate sports complexes in the 80 barangays to make these evacuation-ready.

The fund is sourced from the City’s 2020 annual budget.

Mayor Edgardo Labella said he wanted these facilities to be ready to accommodate residents affected by natural calamities, fire incidents and demolitions.

Barangays will have to submit a program of works and estimates before the City will release the money.

Labella said the pilot area for the project is Barangay T. Padilla, adding that fire-prone barangays will be prioritized.

The mayor said it is up to barangay officials how they will renovate their sports complexes, but he suggested installing a second floor.

He also said sports complexes should be equipped with amenities, such as toilets.

Earlier, City Councilor Antonio Cuenco requested Labella to construct a building to house residents who will be affected by the construction of the Guadalupe-Lahug diversion road.

City Councilor Jerry Guardo, committee on infrastructure chairman, said the City will build more medium-rise buildings (MRBs) for that purpose.

Guardo said they have already identified a lot in Barangay Budlaan. He said they will build MRBs even though there are no demolitions.

“We will just build MRBs continuously so the time there will be a demolition, the building is ready to accommodate the affected (residents),” he said.

Guardo said the detailed engineering design of the 2.33-kilometer diversion road connecting Barangays Guadalupe and Lahug is still being worked on.

Once it is finished, though, he said they will be able to identify the number of households that will be affected and the number of trees that will have to be cut or moved.

Guardo said the detailed engineering design is set to be completed in March. (JJL)