LA TRINIDAD -- Talks on the 3.3-hectare land to be rendered for the typhoon victims at Tawang area is still ongoing between the Benguet State Universtiy (BSU) and local government.
BSU President Rogelio Colting said priority would be given to the victims from the surrounding areas. Talks are being made with the BSU Board of Regents on the price and process to be done on the sale of the property.
Another lot of the same area should be purchased and given to BSU.
"We have to maintain the land area of the BSU as well as the price of the property," Colting said, adding that the university Board of Regents has to decide on it.
Colting assured that a special price would be made for the site. "We also want to help the victims of the typhoon; we don't want to prolong this."
The BSU lot at Barangay Tawang has been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as one of the sites that can be used as permanent relocation for hundred homeless.
A swap deal is also proposed for the site, giving land at the Sitio Little Kibungan area to BSU in exchange for the Tawang lot.
"Even if the area is no longer safe, we can still use it as a demo site," Colting clarified.
All options are being studied by the university and the local and provincial government to be able to give the homeless a permanent housing site.
At present, there are evacuees still occupying another BSU property at the Strawberry farms dubbed the "Tent City" where huge tents have been erected to accommodate the evacuees. (Ma. Elena Catajan)