In Barangay Budlaan, body formed to ensure safety at relocation site

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has created an ad hoc committee to ensure that relocation site in Barangay Budlaan is safe for occupancy.

The ad hoc committee is composed of City Councilors Alvin Dizon, Gerardo Carillo, Leah Japson, Nida Cabrera, and Alvin Arcilla.

In a privilege speech yesterday, Cabrera urged for a moratorium in relocating people at the relocation site in Budlaan because the area is not safe.

"Much of the city's land area is on steep slopes, with barely 15 percent of the land area sitting on flat terrain. This makes the uplands highly vulnerable to landslides according to a study of eight Philippine cities published by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the BPI foundation, Inc.," Cabrera said.

She said that the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed that Barangay Budlaan is one of the 20 barangays in the city identified as landslide-prone area.

Cabrera said that the site is identified as multi-hazard area and faces hazards such as landslides, floods, and fires after the Comprehensive Hazard, Resource and Evacuation Planning was conducted by the barangay's disaster risk reduction and management committee in coordination with the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors, Inc. last January 20-21.

"Geohazards are naturally occurring geological phenomena such as landslides, earthquakes and floods. While these hazards are induced by human activities, they cannot be totally prevented but can be mitigated to lessen the negative impacts," she said.

Cabrera is particularly concerned about the 56 households from Warwick Barracks who are relocated at the Phase 3 of the Budlaan Relocation Project because the slope is very steep.

 "The construction of houses on steep slopes is identified by the MGB as one of the aggravating factors of landslides," she said.

She said that during night time, settlers living in the steep slope will go down to the chapel and will sleep at the tents since it is dangerous for them to stay at home.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña said that the P50-million budget for site development should be properly utilized.

 "Sa kadaghan nga demolition sa siyudad nga gihatod didto, more or less, wala ni silay klarong planning maong nakaguba sa plano," said Arcilla.

Mayor Michael Rama said that the relocation site has been there even before he became mayor.

"Where will they want the relocation be? There is nothing wrong in suggesting but offer solutions," he said.

"Give suggestion to what alternative action to do that is workable for all, not just disagree but never compromise your right if you don't agree," he added.

Meanwhile, DWUP chief Collin Rosell admitted that Barangay Budlaan has been declared by MGB as landslide-prone area.

Rosell said that his office is just implementing the plan from the past administrations. He said the area was purchased in the 1990s for socialized housing program.

While admitting the danger present in the relocation site, he said that the city government will be implementing mitigating efforts in the area.

Rosell said that site development plan is no longer applicable in the area, saying that more than 400 households are currently living there.

"If mag-site development pa ta didto, maayo man gyud pero we have to admit that P50 million is lacking kay mura ta og mag-develop sa whole mountain," he said, adding that mitigating efforts such as giving free cement to the families is being implemented. —  (FREEMAN)