CEBU City Councilor Alvin Dizon asked Mayor Michael Rama to provide a Kaohsiung bus that children of displaced Mahiga Creek settlers can use as a classroom in their temporary shelter in the city’s North Reclamation Area.
“This suggestion was spurred by the dialogue I had with the residents. They said Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area has no jeepney routes for students to go to school,” said Dizon.
There are 26 elementary students and 12 high school students enrolled in public schools among those affected by the clearing of the Mahiga Creek.
Rama, in his regular press conference, said he will study Dizon’s proposal.
“We have to look into it first before approving it. It may have repercussions,” Rama said, adding that other urban poor groups may also ask for school buses in their area and their claims that the Mahiga residents are being pampered could be affirmed.
“I am not saying yes or no to this request yet. A lot of things have to be looked into,” Rama said.
But Dizon said that he sees no problem in the suggestion.
“The situation at Block 27 is temporary anyway. It’s a temporary relocation and so the bus will only be temporary.”
Mahiga residents agreed to move to Block 27 after their children caught fever in the Mahiga area where they lived in tents following demolitions.
“The only thing that’s keeping them from living in Block 27 is the absence of water supply and electricity. But as you could see, the city has already addressed that. So we are expecting them to live in Block 27 soon,” Dizon said.