Mahayag families building houses again?

CEBU, Philippines – Just when the Mandaue City Legal Office was about to fence the demolition site in Sitio Mahayag near Mahiga Creek in Barangay Subangdaku, some 10 families were reported to rebuild their houses in the area.

Frank Guillena, in-charge of the clearing operations along the danger zones of Mahiga Creek where both Sitio Mahayag and Sitio Mahusay lie, said these families have started to build tenements in the area, something he said the city government is not bent on tolerating.

When these families were interviewed why they started making makeshift houses in the area which was about to be fenced , they said they were just temporary shelters for them as they were afraid to leave the area while their housing materials are still there.

They said they were waiting for government dump trucks to transport the materials to their new homes.

“Amo silang gipangutana nganong nitukod sila og balik og barong-barong while nagsugod na mi sa among clearing operations ug fencing sa lugar, apan maoy ilang tubag nga temporary lang daw samtang nagbantay sila sa ilang mga kahoy,” Guillena said.

But such explanation is not acceptable, according to Guillena, as the settlers already have to move out of the place considering that posts have been installed so the area could be fenced today with barbed wires.

Though some of these affected families in Sitio Mahayag were “giving the city a headache,” city officials said they were glad with the outcome of the demolition conducted last October 27 in the neighboring Sitio Mahusay, as the affected families were cooperative with thrust of the city.

They did not resist but instead asked the city demolition team that they voluntarily tear down their houses so they could still use their housing materials.

They have also coordinated with the Housing Urban and Development Office for their financial assistance and livelihood assistance.

“Ang Sitio Mahusay nga gitan-aw namo nga lisud kaayong tangtangon, mao naman hinuon ang sayon,” Guillena said.

There are about 153 families affected by the demolition in Sitio Mahayag while there are 152 in Sitio Mahusay.