SOME of the survivors of typhoon Sendong ready for relocation in Barangay Pagatpat are worried over the future of their livelihood after the City Government prohibited them to raise domestic animals like pigs.
Beverly Briones, housing and home site regulation officer of the City Planning Office, said during the preoccupancy seminar Thursday that there are guidelines to be strictly enforced in the relocation site to prevent disruption of peaceful neighborhood.
“They are also prohibited to dispose, sell or rent their housing units in the relocation site,” Briones added.
Briones said the relocatees should also voluntarily dismantle their previous homes located in identified high-risk area or “no-build zone.”
Meanwhile, Noli Estaca, a “Sendong” survivor from Gusa, said it would be much better if they are allowed to raise hogs in the relocation site.
He said if the local government can put up a space where they can raise pigs it could really help them with their livelihood.
“Maayo nalang pud ang naay hayop panahon nga naay occasion,” Estaca said.
Apart from that, he said the relocation site is too far from his workplace which is in Gusa.
“Gansi naka daan sa imong transportation,” he said.
He said it would be better if they have a “sideline” like raising hogs for extra income and allowed to raise hogs not exceeding three.
Another survivor from Gusa, Romeo Surbano is amenable on prohibiting livestock in the relocation site.
“It’s okay not to raise livestock animals in the area because it would disturb neighbors,” Surbano said.
Surbano said livelihood would be difficult in the area because it is far from the city.
However, he is unsure to transfer to the new site since he is hesitant to demolish his house.
Foresa Sabugaa, officer in charge of the city’s Estate and Management Division (EMB), said the pre-occupancy seminar for the beneficiaries of Pagatpat relocation site involves 1,012 families.
She said the lottery took place in December last year while the city government was working on the drainage system of the relocation site.
She said the seminar was intended to educate the prospective residents of the relocation site about the dos and don’ts in the area.
Briones said they should also participate in any activities of the homeowners association and help maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings.