CH postpones transfer of collapsible facility

CEBU, Philippines - The transfer of the P4.4 million collapsible facility that will house night dwellers from Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City to another area was put on hold due to some concerns on the new site.

This was disclosed by Department of Social Welfare and Services head Dr. Ester Concha yesterday.

Initial plan was to transfer the collapsible facility to the area near the Community Scout Youth Guidance Center along B. Aranas Extension after resistance from the residents of Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

But Concha said Mayor Michael Rama did not concur with the idea to transfer the facility to the city-owned lot near the CSYGC since there are at least 17 families living in the area that will be displaced.

“Dili man pud gusto si mayor nga ma-displace ang mga tao didto kay ang atong gipuli pud didto kay displaced families pud. So, I don’t know kon iya banang i-reblock nga mailaha na gyud. Sabutan pa na,” she said.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office operations head Alvin Santillana said he is now looking for alternative site for the collapsible facility, which can house 200 rescued night dwellers.

Santillana, who heads the city government’s Sustainable Poverty Reduction, Economic Alleviation and Development (SPREAD), said at least 45 night dwellers will continue to use the Compania Maritima building while the city has yet to transfer the area.

Initial options of the location for the transfer of the facility are areas in barangays Tinago and Pahina San Nicolas.

Concha initially slated May 1 as the date for the transfer of the collapsible facility to CSYGC.

“Temporarily, nag-awas-awas na dinha sa Compania Maritima. Mga 45 individuals na nga motultul na dinha,” she said, adding that the city can still accommodate them while resolving the site issue of the facility.

As of now, she said the three-storey collapsible facility will still remain in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

The facility was formed in March, yet but it is not functional until now.

Concha said the city will finish the activity center of the holding facility while looking for some other place.

Once the facility for the night dwellers will be in place, Santillana said the city will be able to fully implement its programs for them.  (FREEMAN)