Hipodromo fire victims to get lots

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is set to award 24-square-meter home lots to each 90 structure owners who were displaced by a massive fire that hit Barangay Hipodromo last month.

This was Hipodromo Barangay Captain Ruperto Bacolod and fire victims’ request, which was granted by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, said Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) Head Genevieve Alcoseba.

“Ni-grant si mayor nga i-award sa mga tao especially katong mga actual occupants dinha sa specific nga lot,” Alcoseba said.

Each beneficiary though will pay P312,000 for the 24-square-meter lot, payable for 15 years.

Portions of the fire-stricken area are owned by the city government.

Alcoseba said the Ortega property in Sitio Cahipa, which is over 2,000 square meters, was already expropriated by the city government several years ago.

A five-story building, which features a public market, was supposed to be built on the Ortega property.

Since the value of the property is way expensive, Alcoseba said, the original plan did not push through that was why Osmeña granted the request of the residents of Barangay Hipodromo.

She said these affected families can be accommodated under the city’s socialized housing program, adding that the city has to continue negotiating with the affected families on the mode of payment.

She said the city will establish a six-meter abandoned road in the area and the re-blocking scheme to ensure that there are roads that will be accessed in times of emergencies.

“Ang naa sa abandoned road, we will establish ang road og balik. Naay 16 houses nga naa sa abandoned road will be getting into the Ortega property,” she said.

Alcoseba said the families occupying the National Housing Authority-owned property can rebuild their houses.

But victims whose houses were built on a private lot have to wait a little longer.  The city government is still negotiating with the private lot owner.

On September 27, a fire razed 121 houses and displaced 287 families or 1,250 individuals. — KBQ (FREEMAN)