4 sitios in Lorega unite vs demolition

CEBU, Philippines - Residents living within the vicinity of the century-old public cemetery in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel organized themselves after talks of possible demolition to give way to a government socialized housing project circulated in their barangay.

Residents from Sitio Kamansi, Lawas, San Roque and Phantom formed the KALASAPA Association to put their acts together against a possible demolition.

KALASAPA president Patricio Georsua wrote to City Councilor Sisinio Andales asking for help to prevent any demolition. Sitios Kamansi, Lawis, San Roque and Phantom are situated beside the Lorega cemetery. Georsua admitted some of his members are living inside the cemetery.

It was learned that the city government had already started clearing part of the cemetery where a socialized housing project is to be constructed for the qualified poor residents.

Georsua said he and the other residents of the four sitios were very much worried after those who claimed to be the beneficiaries of the housing project circulated talks that the houses within the surroundings of the cemetery are also to be demolished.

“Dinhi nahagit ang among pagpakahilom ug naaghat kami sa pagtukod og asosasyon sa tumong nga kapanalipdan ang among katungod sa pagpuyo,” Georsua said.

The cemetery, which started to operate in 1912 and was previously called “Menteryo Municipal” because it was established while Cebu was still a municipality, will be used as low-cost housing site.

Georsua suggested a case study to find out whether or not the construction of the medium-rise socialized housing project is advantageous to the government.

KALASAPA also requested to continue to use as burial site the portion of the cemetery that will not be used for the housing project.

“Ubay-ubay na ang mga housing project sa gobyerno nga wala kapusli sa mga tinuod nga nanginahanglan,” Georsua added.

Georsua’s letter was referred to the Committee on Housing for further study and comment.    (FREEMAN NEWS)