City starts negotiations with private lot owners

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has started negotiating with lot owners in Barangays Sapangdaku and Busay on its aim to search for bigger and safer private-owned properties where new elementary schools would be constructed.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella was tasked by Mayor Michael Rama to search for a suitable site for the Sapangdaku Elementary School and Busay Elementary School.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment Natural Resources earlier identified Barangay Sapangdaku as highly susceptible to flood with Sapangdaku Elemen-tary School more vulnerable as it is located near the Guadalupe River.

The school is now holding classes at their barangay hall because of previous flooding incidents.

MGB has also advised Busay Elementary School to be relocated since it is landslide prone. The school is now holding classes at the sports complex of the barangay.

With this, Labella have sent letters to private owners of  at  least 3,000-square  meter lots in Barangays Sapangdaku and Busay.

He said he has not received feedback from any lot owner from Barangay Sapangdaku but he is glad that a lot owner from Busay is receptive with the city government’s negotiation.

“Naa na gyud ang area, thankful kaayo ta sa mga private owners nga ni-ok sila sa atong negotiation,” he said.

He said that the city government is now coordinating with MGB-7 so that identified areas will be made sure that it is not prone to landslides and floods.

“We are now making sure that these places dili na danger zones. Kaning areas flat, and are safe for the students,” he said.

Rama directed the Local School Board for the new schools to be constructed before the year ends.  (FREEMAN)