City struggling to find sites to relocate mountain schools

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has admitted that the city government is having a difficult time looking for permanent relocation sites for two schools located in mountainous areas in the city – the Busay Elementary School and Sapangdaku Elementary School.

Because of this, Rama said the city is now eying at purchasing a house and lot, instead.

“Sige man ta’g pangitag yuta unya dili man ta makakita’g yuta. Palit balay, diba naay yuta,” he said.

The idea, should this plan materialize, is that the existing house can be converted into a school, Rama said.

To recall, Rama suspended the classes in both schools because of the onset of the rainy season.

Busay ES was reportedly identified by DENR-7’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau as “highly” susceptible to landslide based on a geohazard investigation conducted seven years ago.

As to Sapangdaku ES, some 500 students had to be moved out of the school when the river beside it overflowed following a heavy downpour last June 9.

Classes in Busay ES is expected to resume by June 24 should the construction of eight classrooms in the gym is completed by Friday.

Meanwhile, Sapangdaku ES has transferred to its barangay hall for their classes.

Rama inspected the schools yesterday to see the situation in the areas.

“It (Sapangdaku ES) is better than Busay. Why? Because there’s already a building. Better than Busay not only because there is a building, but also there are people watching the children. Not only the principal…even the barangay officials,” he said, adding, that the barangay hall as a temporary school would undergo a re-layout that would be convenient for the students.

“We know already that area is not good. Mao na’y giingon nga ipatubag na’s mga tao nganong didto gipamutang nila, kay dili mana akong administrasyon,” Rama said.

Aside from the private owned lots, it was reported that the city eyed a two-hectare lot near Busay Highlands for permanent relocation site of Busay ES.

Meanwhile, Sapangdaku ES Principal Ma. Elgie Inglis said it was mentioned that the school may be moved to a 3,000 square-meter city-owned lot in Sitio Kabarang. However, Barangay Captain Lorna Damalerio said there are at least 28 families living there. Damalerio said the city has negotiated with the residents three times but to no avail.

Rama said personnel of the City Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor would inspect the area and talk with the families there.

“Dili na nato libogon kanang naa’y mga nagpuyo. Kana gyong willing ibaligya ang balay ug naa pa gyod yuta… kay pahawaon nasad nato ang mga tao, unya asa man pod nato ibutang?,” he said.

He said he will go back to Busay on Friday to check if the barangay gym is ready for the resumption of classes. On Monday, he will go to Sapangdaku barangay hall to check if the re-layout has been implemented. – (FREEMAN)