Mandaue City fire victims get their own lots

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 359 out of 657 fire victims who are temporarily staying at the Cebu International Convention Center finally received their allotted lots at the relocation site in Barangays Guizo, Mandaue City.

The awarding of the lots was done yesterday at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.

“Sa pagkakaron mao na ni ro’y atoang  gihimo nga sa atong reblocking process.  Mag-draw lots ron kuyog ang DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), PCUP (Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor), mga barangay captains ug presidente, para sa pag-draw lots sa ilang particular nga block ug lot number,” said Tony Juanico, head of the Mandaue City Housing and Urban Development Office.

He said the 9.2-hectare relocation site is expected to be more organized and has accessible roads for emergency.

“Ato mang gi-comply ang requirements sa B.P. (Batas Pambansa) 220.  Kinahanglan naay open space, naay road network, sakto sa sukod.... Kinahanglan han-ay, dili na pareha sa una nga dili kasulod ang bombero, dili kasulod ang ambulansiya.  Karon klaro na gyud kaayo,” he said.

Each beneficiary is expected to receive an equal lot share of 28 square meters.

Mandaue City Legal Office Head Omar Redulla said the remaining 268 beneficiaries who are not included in the allotted 9.2-hectare lot would also have their own relocation site only that the city is still looking for the perfect area.

“We are seriously considering lot sa Lapu-Lapu sa Agus man tingali, We are looking for all the possible lots nga puwede nato paliton. Pero preference nato diri sa Mandaue,” he said.

He also assured the beneficiaries that the relocation site will have no more side development and is less hazardous.

“The nice thing is ug makakita na ta ug relocation kay dina hap- hazard ang development, naa na’y dalan. Wala na’y side development ngadto, kompleto na gyud, move in nalang sila,” said Redulla.

Redulla also explained that beneficiaries who were not present at the event, the DILG and PUCP will do the draw in substitute for the beneficiary. However, they will be given only five days to claim their award lot.

”We’ll give them five days to accept the award (lot).  Kung di sila mokuha sa award, definitely ma-forfeit ang ilang award,” he told reporters yesterday.

Prior to the awarding of lots, a brief commotion erupted after a group allegedly tried to create a scene by building some structures.

The group also conducted a rally earlier that day, temporarily stopping the re- blocking. They stopped when the police came. (FREEMAN)