Kalunasan lots proposed for river settlers’ relocation

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council last week referred to the Local Housing Board a proposed measure requesting the office of the mayor to negotiate with owners of a lot eyed as relocation site for those affected by the City’s Reduction of Dangerous Zones (REDZ) project.

“The City Mayor, being the titular head of the City, should represent and be duly authorized to negotiate for possible purchase of the said lots,” stated the proposed resolution authored by City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya.

The parcels of land are located in Barangay Kalunasan and are owned by heirs of Pedro Abella and Bruno Miralles. 

In a Nov. 28 letter, the owners, through authorized representative Ruben Abella, expressed their intent to sell their properties at P2,500 per square meter.

In its session last Wednesday, Gabuya endorsed the lots to colleagues at the city council, which referred the matter to the Local Housing Board for further study and recommendation.

Under the City’s REDZ project, clearing the Mahiga Creek of illegal structures and implementing a five-meter easement would already affect at least 4,000 families. The REDZ project would be enforced in five waterways of the city, namely the Mahiga, Lahug, Guadalupe, Bulacao and Kinalumsan rivers.

The City Government intends to remove all illegal structures and establishments encroaching the said rivers, affecting 10,000 families in the process.  City Hall has adopted REDZ to eliminate the risk of people losing their lives every time the said rivers overflow.

The City Attorney’s Office and the City Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) recently served notices to vacate to over 100 owners of illegal structures at Mahiga Creek.

They include establishments that already encroached into the river.

In his proposed measure, Gabuya cited Republic Act No. 7279 that stipulates that “the city shall uplift the conditions of the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas and in resettlement areas by making available to them decent housing at affordable cost, basic services and employment opportunities”.

He further mentioned Section 10, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that “the state shall promote social justice in all phases of national development”.

Gabuya said fulfilling those provisions of the law this has to be in cooperation with the private sector and in coming up with a comprehensive and continuing Urban Development and Housing Program.—(FREEMAN)