Block 27 settlers get reprieve but water, lights cut off

THE Cebu City government has again extended the stay of 26 families from Mahiga Creek who took shelter last year  in Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area.

No  relocation site is ready for them.

However, water connections were cut off at the site last June 30, the deadline for families to move out.

Electric power was scheduled for disconnection yesterday.

The city-owned lot in the mountain barangay of Budlaan is not fit for occupancy, said Alvin Santillana, operations head of the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office.

At least eight of the 26 families in the shelters chose to to  transfer to a relocation site provided by  City Hall, while 18  others said they will look for places to rent in the city.

“It would be hard if we  drive them away. It will be more problematic if they   transfer to the streets,” Santillana said.

About 50 families were brought to Block 27 where tents were provided by City Hall in May last year.

They were removed from danger zones in the banks of Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo and J. de Veyra Street of the North Reclamation Area.

Santillana said Block 27 occupants will have to vacate the area the soonest possible time because their stay wasn’t meant to be permanent.

The area is near the mouth of the Mahiga Creek and the future site of heavy equipment that will be used to  desilt the creek to reduce  flooding during the rainy season.

The city government also  has other plans for the two-hectare prime lot  which has a market value of about P30, 000 per square meter. /Doris C. Bongcac, Chief of Reporters