THE Cagayan de Oro City Government will now keep tabs on what areas are subject for demolition to prepare for the relocation of illegal settlers.
City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said the city doesn't want to get caught off guard just like the Barangay Tablon demolition where some 200 residents defy a court order demolishing their houses.
“Ang nahitabo sa (What happened in the) demolition sa (at) Tablon, we have to admit that the city government was not prepared in as far as how can we relocate the affected families this is why we are instructing our departments nga unta dili nata maghulat, dapat kahibalo nata daan kung asa kadtong mga area na aduna nay mga (to not wait, they should know where these areas are that have) court orders,” he said.
He said the city shall come up a list of the areas and profile the residents early on. He adds that this would give the city government and other concerned agencies to have ample time to get ready and plan what steps to take next.
“We will map out these areas so we can make a centralize list that will be our guide,” he said
“Whether we like it or not, it is always the local government unit's obligation na ipahiluna sila. If we can identify the areas, we also have time to negotiate the owner of the land, maybe they can give assistance and help us work with the relocation sites,” he added.
The City Planning Office is the lead office tasked to find other areas that need relocation.
Some of the 200 residents are already evacuated in Barangay Indahag's evacuation center, while the others opted to stay with their relatives.
The affected residents will wait for at least two months as the city is still developing the five hectares area of land in Barangay Lumbia where they will be relocated.