Cebu City eyes 10 medium-rise bldgs under housing program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is planning to build medium rise buildings (MRBs) in 10 proposed sites as part of its housing program for the poor.

According to Engineer Dante Arcilla, head of the Division on the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), this remains a proposal that is still being studied more extensively.

Arcilla said that MRBs will save space and be easier to maintain, especially in establishing water connection and other basic services.

He said that a large number of families can be accommodated in this kind of project.

He earlier said that it is one of Mayor Michael Rama’s orders to provide assistance to homeless people or those having problems with the status of their current residence.

If the plan is actually implemented, the city will make sure that it goes to deserving individuals based on their situation, he said.

Arcilla also said that MRBs are also being put up as part of housing programs in other countries.

Meanwhile, the city government has assured the proper relocation of more than 2,000 families in Sitio Bato, Barangay Ermita who will be affected by the Carbon market modernization project.

Part of the supplemental Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) pushed by the executive department to the council was for the placement of the affected families.

The council will study first the supplemental MOA so Arcilla said he cannot tell yet the specific relocation site.

Rama previously said the government will never neglect the individuals affected by the construction of the modernized market. — JMD (FREEMAN)