Rama: Reclaiming Ermita land may encourage squatting

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not entirely in favor of the filling project in Barangay Ermita, which is intended to cover a portion of the water that has been stagnant since the South Road Properties was constructed.

The barangay plans to reclaim about a hectare in Sitio Pulang Bato because the entrapped water might cause an outbreak of diseases. Barangay officials said that the water has become polluted after many years of being trapped.

They also want to reclaim the area to save the 124 families, who built their houses over the water, from danger.

But Rama said that the plan will set a bad example because it will attract more informal settlers from other places. Migrants will think that if they move to the city, the government will find ways to provide space for them.

The mayor, however, did not mention of any alternative plans for the sitio. A riprapping project was included in this year's P1.5-billion Supplemental Budget No. 3 where the city allocated some P2.2 million for its implementation.

The construction of a seawall along this coast is necessary for the filling project to come in.

There are more than 300 families living on the dry land within the sitio while about 124 families constructed their houses above the water.

Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta said that these people have been there for many years already. The barangay tried to control the construction of houses above the water but the number of structures kept increasing.

"That's why we are requesting the city government to fund the filling project. We already have all the necessary permits from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and all other agencies. We are just waiting for the city government to grant our proposal for funding," Rupinta said.

Rupinta said that Rama had promised him that it will be one of the priorities under the new administration.

They want to declare the area as a housing site but this could not be done unless the area will be reclaimed. Residents are not only in danger of waterborne diseases but also of flash floods, among others. (THE FREEMAN)