Tent city opens today

CEBU, Philippines - Despite not being completely ready, the tent city for super typhoon Yolanda victims is set to open today after several times of postponement.

South Road Properties Management Office head, Roberto "Bu" Varquez, said the Cebu City Family Rehabilitation Center at the City Hall block at SRP is ready to accommodate transients from typhoon-battered Leyte and Samar provinces.

"Things are being finalized and adjusted. Like we already addressed the ponding areas after it rained a few days back. We are also completing the materials. Now, we seem to have a supportive weather. I can say we have achieved the passing 75 grade. The entire project is about 80 percent complete," Varquez said.

The SRP manager further explained that what remains to be finished are the minor electrical wirings such as outlets especially for the office and clinic.

He assured that the perimeter lightings are also in place.

"The first batch will move in tomorrow (today). Then we will be completing the remaining 20 percent as we go along. After assessing the situation, we will implement what needs to be added or changed in the current setup," Varquez said.

In cases of power interruption, we have solar powered lights and we have also requested for a generator set.

Former city councilor, Atty. Jocelyn Pesquera of the Tent City Committee, said that 20 families are confirmed listed for the first batch of recipients mostly coming from the evacuation centers and homes of relatives here in Cebu.

"We have an initial list of 20 families who will be staying at the tent city. There are those who decided to return to Leyte and Samar for Christmas. But we are also giving them the option to stay at our tent city," Pesquera said.

The Department of Social Welfare Services of the Cebu City Government headed by office chief Ester Concha is primarily tasked to identify and choose among the registered Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who will be staying at the tents provided for by Philippine Red Cross through its international counterparts.

Today, a holy mass at 9am will precede the blessing and formal opening of the 13,000 square meters tent city jointly pieced together by the Philippine Red Cross and Cebu City Government with the help of private companies and individuals.  (FREEMAN)