Homeless stalling repair of market

CEBU, Philippines - The dozens of homeless persons staying at the second floor of the Taboan Public Market in Barangay San Nicolas-Proper are giving a headache to the private contractor that won the bidding to renovate the structure’s roofing.

Winston Limquiaco, manager of Win Construction, had asked City Engr. Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez to relocate the squatters, but this did not happen as of yesterday.

“The second floor of the market will be in direct contact to the elements as we get rid of the old roofing until we replace it with a new one,” Limquiaco said.

Market administrator Raquel Arce said she already referred the matter to the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED), but no action was made. It was the personnel of SPEED and a team from City Hall who rescued the homeless individuals off the streets purposely to clear the sidewalks of dwellers at night. 

Arce said the instruction of Mayor Michael Rama was to allow the homeless families to stay at the upper portion of the dried fish market temporarily while the financial assistance from the city’s “Balik Probinsya” program is being processed. 

Arce said the city has allocated P2.4 million for the re-roofing project of the Taboan Public Market. This is aside from the P17.5 million budget to construct the perimeter fence around the market.

Once construction of the perimeter fence is completed, Arce said security procedures will be put in place such that no one will be allowed to remain at the market unless there is permission from her office.  (FREEMAN)