THE City Government of Naga, Cebu can finally start building permanent housing for survivors of the landslide that struck Sitio Sindulan in Barangay Tina-an last Sept. 20.
This, after a team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) gave the go-signal to start development at the Balili property, also in Barangay Tina-an, after it issued a certification that the area is safe for relocation.
But Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong said three agencies led by the National Housing Authority (NHA) will need to provide a certification of the MGB’s findings before the City will start construction.
Aside from the NHA, the City also needs to secure certifications from the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to determine if the proposed housing site is sustainable and is not vulnerable to the elements.
As of yesterday, the number of casualties remained at 77, while eight persons remained missing.
But as the City continues to mourn the victims of the landslide, Naga also held the opening salvo of its 189th fiesta celebration in honor of St. Francis of Assisi yesterday.
The City Government, however, opted to cancel its scheduled fiesta activities and postpone some sports meets in solidarity with those who were affected by landslide.
In an interview yesterday, Mayor Chiong said the MGB team organized by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu submitted the results of their assessment last Sept. 28.
After the landslide almost two weeks ago, Cimatu ordered the creation of a team that would assess the viability of two proposed relocation sites in the City of Naga and to delineate critical zones surrounding ground zero in Sitio Sindulan.
Aside from the Balili property, the other proposed relocation site was the vacant lot near the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Village in Sitio Puson, also in Barangay Tina-an.
But only the Balili property got the go-signal as the GK Village is susceptible to flooding.
With the Balili property now cleared for relocation, Chiong said she has contacted the NHA office in Cebu.
She also contacted Gov. Hilario Davide III, as the Balili property is still under the Province’s custody and the Province needs to formally donate the portion that will be used for relocation to the City.
The mayor said the governor, who will be in Naga today to inspect the site, already committed to donate part of the Balili property for this purpose.
As to the delineation of danger zones, the MGB told Chiong that it has identified 270 structures inside the one-kilometer danger zone in Sitio Sindulan, but it has yet to determine if these structures are residences.
The MGB also has yet to give evacuees, who live outside the identified danger zone, the go-ahead to return to their homes.
DENR 7 Director Gilbert Gonzales, in a text message to Chiong, said the MGB team will decide today if those areas outside the identified danger zone will be allowed to be inhabited again.
Meanwhile, the City continues to assist the evacuees.
As of yesterday, around 1,714 families were living in 11 evacuation centers across the city.
In light of the recent tragedy, the City canceled scheduled activities for its annual fiesta. However, the National Age Group Triathlon, which is scheduled on Oct. 6, will be moved to another date.
Chiong said that rather than celebrating, she would rather focus the City’s energy and resources to taking care of those affected by the landslide.
Religious activities, such as the novena masses, will continue.
“Our celebration this year will be focused on prayers and taking care of those who remain in the evacuation centers,” she said.