THE Lapu-Lapu City Government encouraged the homeowners’ association of the 81 families living under the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge to look for a relocation site.
In a press conference, Lapu-Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza said the City can give financial assistance and construction materials to the families that will decide to move from the area due to the risk of falling debris from the first bridge repair.
“We always tell the informal settlers through their homeowners’ association to look for a site. The informal settlers should be a member of a homeowner association,” Radaza said in Cebuano.
The 81 structures under the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge on the Lapu-Lapu side need to be demolished to make way for the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DWPH) P129.6-million bridge rehabilitation.
Currently, the City Government does not have an available relocation site for the families.
Radaza said the City can assist the families in looking for a relocation site.
“This is what we’ve been telling them, that they will look for a place... The homeowners’ association should be diligent in looking for a relocation site,” Radaza said.
Once the association can find a land, the City can help them get a socialized housing program.
Pajo Barangay Captain Ahong Chan said the DPWH 7 and contractor Jegma Construction have visited the residential area under the bridge early this week to demark the site that will be affected.
Chan met the contractor more than a week ago to talk about the affected families.
He has not met Jegma Construction again to ask them what assistance they can give to the families.
Chan said it is not easy to just demolish the structures without assistance for the families.
“There is no resistance from the families if they will be asked to move out from the area. But for humanitarian reasons, let us provide them with financial assistance,” he said.
Chan said the DPWH and the contractor can provide a reasonable amount for the residents.
One of the residents concerns is the amount they will have to spend in dismantling and rebuilding their houses.
“If the contractor is willing to dismantle and reinstall the houses of the families, that would be better,” Chan said.