Labella to use P140M fund for informal dwellers’ transfer

SunStar file photo
SunStar file photo

THE Cebu City Government has less than two months to spend its unused P140 million fund intended for the relocation of some 700 informal settlers living near the rivers and creeks.

If left unused, the fund would be reverted to the National Government.

Mayor Edgardo Labella wants to fast-track purchases of lots where medium-rise buildings would be built for the informal settlers.

Only five to 15 percent of the fund would be used for these projects, said Labella.

“(We have) to act fast because we have the money and resources; otherwise, the money would be reverted,” he said.

The P140 million budget was released by the National Government during the time of then mayor Tomas Osmeña after his administration and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed an agreement to provide relocation sites for informal settlers who violated the three-meter easement in rivers and creeks.

The DPWH had asked the City’s assistance as the informal settlers’ presence delayed its waterways improvement projects.

However, during Osmeña’s time, nothing had been done, said Labella.

A backhoe has been sitting in the middle of Guadalupe River for more than a year already, said Labella. The heavy equipment was left by a contractor as the project to widen the river was temporarily stopped as the DPWH had no authority to expel around 200 informal dwellers near the Guadalupe River.

Labella said his office is looking to acquire lots in barangays Cogon Pardo and Quiot with areas of 2,000 and 40,000 square meters, respectively, as the possible sites of the medium-rise buildings.

Two medium-rise buildings are expected to rise in a Barangay Lorega San Miguel lot. The area can accommodate three more buildings, said Labella.

Aside from giving relocation sites, Labella said the informal settlers must have access to livelihood. The mayor also wants the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to act fast on its profiling of the informal settlers.

The Sept. 5, 2019 meeting participated by the DPWH central office represenatives and General Services Officer June Maratas revealed that the encroachment problem hinders the DPWH’s improvement program for the seven rivers in Cebu and Mandaue cities. The program was started in 2016; its fund was released after the passage of the General Appropriations Act. (JJL)

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