Rama wants assessment of city’s relocation sites

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama said wants an assessment of the city’s mountain relocation sites to determine if these are  still useful.

He said he wanted to know how the area may be used for other purposes.

“I want  this problem resolved within my term. This is one of the priorities that will complete my administration if implemented,” Rama said.

Rama said he would meet with Collin Rosell, chief of the Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), City Engr. Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez and city administrator Jose Marie Poblete to discuss the city’s relocation program.

Rosell earlier said that the Local Housing Board doesn’t recommend the use of vacant city lots in La Guerta, Budlaan and San Jose as relocation sites for about 10, 000 riverside occupants who would need to be moved out.

The sites are remote and lack development.

He said it’s more costly for the city to develop these properties rather than acquiring lots in urban barangays.

Rama said he recently visited the city lot in Laguerta that was acquired during the term of former mayor Alvin Garcia.

Because of the bad rodes, he had to ride a motorcycle.

“I cannot imagine what they had in mind, when they bought the land. The previous administration should be made to explain the purchase,” he said.

Rama said one had to cross a river and pass   boulders to get to the  site in La Guerta.

The property, he said, also passed through a provincial government owned lot.

“It makes you feel bad looking at the area,” he said.

Rosell said DWUP has already identified lots in Cebu City urban barangays which are ideal for the relocation of riverside occupants.

They could build medium-rise buildings for the urban poor, he said.

He said they are also looking at properties in Talisay City in the south and Consolacion town in the north.

Rama said the city government also has to make sure that relocatees will have access to  livelihood.

“If will be difficult to be telling them how much (the relocation would cost) if they do not have the means (to also pay for it),” he said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac