Clearing illegal structures in Pepang still a challenge

CEBU, Philippines — A little over one month from the deadline set by Mayor Michael Rama for the conversion of the Doña Pepang Cemetery into a heritage park, there are still some challenges surrounding it that need to be hurdled.

A total of 25 illegal structures along the cemetery still need to be cleared.

This is after Rama ordered project implementers to work according to plan in converting it into a heritage park.

Originally, there were close to 40 residents in the said area but are now reduced to 24.

These residents accordingly, were promised by former mayor Tomas Osmeña to remain in the said property.

“From 37 to 24 structure owners, mao nay gipangsaaran sa kanhi mayor, Mayor Tommy (Osmeña) nga mopuyo diha…e-re-block sila..but lahi naman  ang management ron..unya bati man sad tan-awn kung masagol sila sa heritage park..masimang na ba sa gusto  sa mayor (Mike Rama),” according to Ayuman, the project overseer over XFM.

These structure owners sent a letter of request Rama to let them stay around Doña Pepang, but the mayor is already firm in his decision.

“Nagpadala sila ug letter hangyo kang Mayor Mike, ihikling lang unta sila sa luyong bahin sa Doña Pepang..murag mopatong sa columbary, kaning butangan sa mga bukog..gusto silag adto lang ibutang…atong naestorya si Mayor Mike, ingon siya nga di na pwede,” added Ayuman.

A relocation site had already been set aside from these 24 structure owners in Barangay Quiot, this city.

Hopefully, the city government’s Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) will be able to come up with an agreement with the remaining settlers this week, Ayuman said.

Ayuman just hopes too that no one else will ride on this issue anymore and disguises themselves as being concerned about these illegal settlers, yet, have their own motives to further delay the development.

In another development, it was found out that there is one dead body buried just last year at Doña Pepang that needed to be transferred.

“Gilubong March 2022, unya five years pa man na madugta. Among gipaabot ron ang legal opinion from the City Attorney. Tanang mga karaang bukog, ebutang ug usa ka lugar sa columbary,” Ayuman said.

Another thing is the claim of one family that they own at least 30 square meters of the city government property for parking purposes.

“Nangangkon og 30 square meters lang, gamay kaayo. Ang purpose, parkingan. They presented a deed of aale but among gitan-aw sa city assessor, wala ma-annotate..wala gyud sila..dili gyud to angay i-honor. Magpadayon ta,” Ayuman added.

The Program of Works and Estimate (POWE) for the said project is already in place but is still due for approval by the mayor.

After the mayor’s approval, it will still undergo a bidding process which may also take some time.

With all the challenges that needed to be hurdled though, whether or not June 12 will mark the start of the conversion of the said cemetery into a heritage park yet or the completion of work, remains to be seen. (FREEMAN)