Beautification to start in December

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is eyeing to start the beautification project at Doña Pepang Cemetery in December.

Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor chief Collin Rosell said they will have a meeting next week with the settlers residing inside the cemetery, informal settlers living in front of the cemetery, and the family members of the deceased interred in the cemetery.

Rosell said the city government has prepared professionally on how to deal with the people affected by the development.

“The concentration is sa pagpatawag sa mga tagtungod para makatabang sila sa implementation sa project. Dili man ingon nga ipapahawa, kondili, naa lang kausaban,” he said.

Rosell said there is a policy for cemeteries that the remains that have been buried for more than five years will be transferred in a columbary. He said that remains will be re-arranged and be transferred in a columbary so that the place would look orderly, adding that it has already integrated in the design of the park.

The cemetery was previously owned by the Archdiocese of Cebu. However, the property was swapped with a city-owned lot in Barangay Pasil.

The city government has entered an agreement with the Archdiocese of Cebu to convert the cemetery into a park.

“While there are a lot of people nga lain laing contention sa project, daghan sad ang nanawag sa opisina nga they welcome and embrace the project. And they will support the project kay hugaw na lagi daw didto and wala nay order,” Rosell said.

He said the city government will be undertaking the development based on the agreement, adding that they will also consider the issues that will be raised during the consultative meetings with the people affected.

The 37 families living inside the cemetery will be transferred on the lot beside the cemetery while the other 60 families living in front will be relocated in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

“Naa pod mga tao diha na they are making a living inside the cemetery. So, some might be staying because of their livelihood,” Rosell said.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that he will be visiting Archbishop Jose Palma to brief the latter with the development of the cemetery earlier planned by the former mayor.

“We are putting all of this in a proper perspective. I already had a meeting with DWUP among others on how we should proceed,” Rama said.

“Settlers should be removed to pave the way for the opening so that the beauty of Osmeña mausoleum will be seen,” he added.

Rosell said that in the architectural designs presented during their meeting with the mayor, one of the concerns raised was the historical Osmeña Mausoleum, where the remains of the relatives of former mayor Tomas Osmeña and Councilor Margarita Osmeña were buried.

“Ang Osmeña Mausoleum, paninduton lang siya pero murag apil siya sa park kay naa siya sa centerpiece,” Rosell said.

Last November 15, the city government has officially closed the cemetery to pave way for the development of the place.— FPL (FREEMAN)