ABOUT P3 million will have to be spent by Cebu City Hall to develop a potential relocation site for the Mahiga Creek settlers.
Collin Rosell, new chief of the city government’s Division of the Welfare and Urban Poor (DWUP), said he visited four existing relocation sites of the city last week and noted that improvements will have to be made.
He cited sitio St. Michael, in barangay Talamban as a good relocation site for the displaced illegal settlers.
Rosell said the city government may spend about P3 million for the site’s development.
“It is livable but it needs further development,” Rosell told Cebu Daily News.
He said about 56 houses can be built in the elevated portion of the area in sitio San Michael.
The P3 million will go to fund the drainage system, water source and road repairs.
The Mahiga settlers of Sto. Isidro II, barangay Mabolo visited the temporary relocation site at the North Reclamation Area block 27 last Saturday.
Though they found the site suitable, they complained about the absence of electricity and water systems as well as permanent toilets.
Rosell said the settlers who wished to stay at the temporary relocation site in block 27 should fill up an application form in the DWUP office.
He said these applications will help them determine how many tents and facilities will be set up in the area.
As of last Saturday, three blue tents were being set up for settlers who want to stay in the site.
Last February, 50 container vans donated by a private company were also placed in the temporary relocation site.
But the vans were eventually recalled after the creek settlers refused to occupy them.
Rosell said he visited other possible relocation sites like those in sitio Plaza, barangay Lahug, but he found sitio San Michael more appropriate for the settlers.
The settlers earlier expressed their opposition to the city government’s plan to relocate them in barangays Budlaan or Talamban.
They said it is far from the center of the city where they have their livelihood.