Families in Block 27 at North Recla to lose homes

CEBU, Philippines - The families living in Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area will soon have to move out.

This after Mayor Michael Rama said he is firm in his decision to evict the 24 families that were allowed to temporarily stay there after their houses along Mahiga Creek were demolished.

In yesterday’s press conference, the mayor directed Alvin Santillana, the action officer of the City Disaster-Risk Reduction Management Office, to facilitate the quick implementation of his order.

After Rama said the removal of the houses of the concerned families must be implemented not later than June 30, Santillana went to the area to relay the orders of the mayor.

Santillana said the concerned families can opt to be relocated to Barangay Budlaan or be transported back to their respective hometowns.

The mayor said he cannot allow the said residents to stay in the city’s prime lots at the North Reclamation Area any longer, saying “Basin og kon magdugay sila diha pagpuyo magtoo hinoon sila nga permanent na sila dihang lugara.”

As of yesterday, Santillana still has no data how many families decided to be relocated to Budlaan or be sent back to their respective hometowns.

He said one way to compel the said families to vacate the area is to cut their water and power connections which the city provides for free.

“Siyaro og magpabilin pa gihapon sila diha nga wala na sila’y suga ug tubig,” Santillana said.

Rama decided to have the houses of the concerned families along Mahiga Creek demolished last year because these were constructed within the three-meter easement of the creek that overflowed on January 25, 2011.

Santillana said the city should intensify the clearing operation of illegal structures within the waterways as one way to minimize flooding during heavy downpour.  (FREEMAN)