25 displaced families in Tejero get cash aid

CEBU, Philippines -  At least 25 families in Barangay Tejero whose houses they voluntarily destroyed in last weekend’s demolition were given financial assistance by the Cebu City government yesterday.

City Administrator Lucelle Mercado called the assistance as disturbance fee, which ranged from P10,000 to P20,000 depending on the size of the houses in sitio San Roque that were torn down.

Mercado said they allocated P260,000 from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for the families.

Some 15 more families will be receiving the same disturbance fee after having their houses demolished too, said Mercado.

The residents voluntarily dismantled their houses after receiving notice from the city government to vacate to give way to its Road Restoration Project.

Mercado praised the residents for immediately heeding the government’s order, which led to a “very peaceful” scene last weekend.

“Nalipay kaayo ‘ta na waa’y gubot. First g’yud mo na niboluntaryo; special g’yud ang inyong gibuhat,” said Mercado.

At least 10 families proceeded to City Hall yesterday and each claimed their financial assistance handed over by the Department of Social Welfare and Services headed by Ester Concha.

Aside from the cash aid, relocation sites will also be provided to the displaced families, said Lawyer Collin Rosell, head of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

Rosell said the residents will be relocated to Tabarno Property in Upper La Guerta, Barangay Lahug or to other available relocation sites in the city.

One of the residents has expressed uncertainty in transferring to La Guerta, saying the area is a bit far from the city’s downtown and is quite mountainous.

Rosell, however said, that it’s not a matter whether the residents will like the relocation site or not.

“It’s a matter na gi-accommodate sila sa City,” he said adding that they will not just let the residents live homeless.

In fact, the city government just created a task force solely for landless people in the city, which will work on providing land titles to qualified residents.

The demolition in Tejero is contrary to last week’s demolition in Barangay Apas, which has gone on and off due to complaints and motions filed in court by the residents.

The road restoration project, which is expected to start today, covers the restoration of the new Aviola Street near the health center of Tejero, all the way to the boundary exits in Barangay Carreta.  (FREEMAN)