Some residents want to stay at Pepang lot

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) already briefed close to 40 households at Doña Pepang Cemetery for their relocation but most of the residents want to remain there.

Doña Pepang will soon be converted into a heritage park and all obstructions will have to be removed.

The city government has done clearing those illegal structures inside the cemetery itself, but there are still some houses along the sides of the said property as well that are still living in the area hoping they will be spared from demolition.

Project overseer Ramil Ayuman said DWUP had already identified an area in Barangay Quiot to these 37 households that will also be affected by the development.

“Kasagaran nila nihangyo nga diha lang unta sila, han-ayon lang gyud…Willing sila ma-reblock,” said Ayuman to The Freeman.

The residents are expected to make an appeal to Mayor Michael Rama.

While the mayor has not yet received their formal appeal, DWUP had already set a date with the residents for a site visit.

Hopefully, after seeing the city-owned property in Quiot, the affected residents will agree to it and sign the commitment to transfer.

Also in another development, Barangay Tejero officials have also agreed to get rid of some old barangay-owned vehicles also parked in front of Doña Pepang.

Barangay officials of Tejero are just waiting for the Commission on Audit (COA) so it could finally dispose of those vehicles, according to Ayuman.

By next week, Doña Pepang will already be fenced and guarded so that no one can build other structures anymore and operate some businesses around the area while development is ongoing.

Rama wanted the said heritage park project to be done by June 12 in time for the Philippine Independence Day celebration. —/GMR (FREEMAN)