Stalled roadwork finally continues

CEBU, Philippines - Roadworks for the proposed Gerardo Ouano Street extension in Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City will finally push through after Barangay Captain Carmelino del Mar agreed to indemnify families to be affected by the city's lot expropriation.

Last January 6, the city government and the project contractor were supposed to start the construction of the 250-meter G. Ouano extension which is located right in front of the Ibabao barangay hall.

It did not, however, prosper even with the presence of equipment, workers and the police after a certain Lauro Pintor and some of the eight affected families protested as the government still "failed" to pay them with the 15 percent remaining balance of the amount of properties being expropriated.

Pintor said when their houses were demolished in January 2013, the city was only able to pay them 85 percent of the amount of their properties which includes their house and lot.

Upon learning of the incident, Del Mar intervened because he also wanted the project to push through to heed the request of the residents.

"Kun ting-init, luoy kaayo ang taga barangay hall, tanang abog padung ngadto nila. Kon tinglapok sad, luoy pud kaayo ilabi na mga estudyante diha sa Science High, busa kinahanglan na gyud nga sugdan ang trabaho," Del Mar said.

After verifying with the city, Del Mar found out that the 15 percent balance for the improvement is out for release this month.

Del Mar himself decided to pay first the affected families with no interest, and then asked them to sign an agreement requiring them to pay him back once their checks will be released.

The remaining 15 percent will only be released to them once they have complied with all the requirements and one of these is their payment of real property tax.

Del Mar defended the city government over its plan to continue with the project because these affected families signed a contract with the city stipulating that the city has full possession of the lot once 85 percent of the payment is already given to them.—  Flor Z. Perolina (FREEMAN)