EDITORIAL - City gov't should stop turning schools into relocation sites

The Cebu City government has been facing mounting pressure on the need to relocate the Sambag I fire victims who are temporarily sheltered at the Cebu City Central School as they are affecting classes.

The fire victims are reportedly using at least 14 classrooms, displacing hundreds of Grades 1 and 2 pupils who had to take classes under tents at the school's quadrangle. This has prompted school authorities to resort to implementing a scheme that would lessen the inconvenience brought by the fire victims' presence.

In order for the victims to return soon, there's really a need for the city government to immediately restore the fire-ravaged residential area so classes at the City Central School would go back to normal.

But while admitting that they have to quickly act for the immediate return of the displaced residents, the chief of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor said fixing the fire area may run for a week or two.

The situation in Sambag 1 is just the latest dilemma plaguing the city government as far as the issue on shelter assistance is concerned. Because City Hall lacks the resources to quickly rebuild the fire-stricken area, we can only expect that those victims will have to spend more time living in school.   

City Hall has already been saddled with the problem of relocating families displaced by previous fire incidents and those settlers living in danger zones considering the absence of a permanent relocation site. 

And for years, finding a permanent resettlement area has already become a serious concern for the city, which would usually resort to utilizing barangay sports centers and schools as temporary shelters during calamities.

 But since it only affects students' classes, the city government should stop turning schools into temporary relocation sites for those displaced by calamities. Such poor practice will only create another problem, as what the present situation at the City Central School would show.