Cebu City prepares plans for Badjao resettlement site

CEBU, Philippines — Following the fire that razed a residential community in Barangay Mambaling, the Cebu City government laid down plans for the Badjao resettlement site, which will be designed like stilt houses and protected by mangroves.

In a press conference last Monday, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia presented the proposed housing resettlement plan prepared by the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) for the Badjao community, 

This was conceptualized following a fire incident last March 2 that destroyed the residential area in SitioBadjaowan-Naba, Barangay Mambaling that displaced 822 individuals.

According to the presentation, the immediate action plan involved the relocation of 875 individuals, which will include the full resettlement of the Badjao community.

Garcia said the resettlement plan is similar to the existing stilt houses in Zamboanga City and Isabela in Basilan. The proposed resettlement site in Mambaling is around 33 hectares in size. 

The houses will be built in a Hexagonal Grid System and placed around the Mangrove Park.

The development will include an open common space, integrated with development goals, sustainable cultural practices, and the potential for tourism. 

Each stilt house will also be installed with a vacuum sewer system connected to a Wastewater Sewerage and Treatment System.

“So, in other words, butanganpudnatosilaogbanyodidto, para limpyo,” said Garcia.

Garcia assured that, although the houses will be stilt houses, the structures' safety will be guaranteed, as they will be protected by mangroves.

He said he already requested a detailed engineering design, which will also include the Programs of Works and Estimates (POWE).

He added that since this is a disaster-related infrastructure project, its funding will be sourced from disaster funds. He said that this would be a project initiated by the city government. 

However, Garcia said they are also considering other options, including asking the National Housing Authority (NHA) for support.

Another option being considered, according to Garcia, is a partnership with the Malaysian Government. He clarified that this is not a Private-Public Partnership (PPP), but rather a donation to the City of Cebu.

“It really depends kung unsa among maistoryahansa Malaysian, but this will not cost so much kay light materials man ni,” said Garcia.

Currently, Garcia said they have yet to finalize whether the relocated Badjaos will be required to pay a lease, as they are still working on the guidelines. He added that the beneficiaries have already been determined and profiled.

“KinahanglanngaBadjaojud,” Garcia said, referring to the primary qualification for the beneficiaries.

Garcia said he planned to implement the project within the year. — (FREEMAN)