City assures relocation for Buot-Taup residents

The 167 households living in the disaster-prone areas in the mountain barangay of Buot-Taup are assured of a site now that Mayor Tomas Osmeña approved the acquisition of a private lot for their relocation.

Osmeña, however, said that his approval is subject to price estimates.

"It will be given priority because it's a legitimate and valid request," Osmeña told reporters after their talks with Buot-Taup barangay captain Rosalina Callino yesterday morning.

Callino went to see Osmeña bringing with her the approved barangay resolution seeking for the mayor's assistance on the acquisition of the four-hectare lot in sitio Buot-Taup Proper. The owner of the lot had reportedly approved of the sale of the land in favor of the city government.

Sitio Pangpang, Lawod, Tabok-Sapa, Proper Buot-Taup, Laguna, Lawis and Pangi are identified as disaster-prone areas where houses are constructed near the river and where big boulders roll from elevated places.

"Many people in mentioned sitios have already had life-threatening experiences, as when some houses were hit by boulders or washed away by flashfloods that claimed lives," the barangay resolution read.

Barangay Buot-Taup has a total land area of 933 hectares and a population of slightly over 1,000. Because a river divides the mountain barangay from the main highway, one would have to ford the river to get there. Rains make it difficult to wade through the river or ford onboard motorcycles-for-hire as water level rises.

"The barangay council is deeply concerned on the risk these disaster-prone areas pose to residents, suggesting that the only solution would be to relocate the people," Callino said as she quoted the barangay resolution. - Garry B. Lao