No rebuilding in Mahiga Creek, Mandaue settlers told

Fire victims of sitio Sapa-Sapa Dos, barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City won’t be allowed to rebuild their homes within the three-meter easement zone along the  Mahiga Creek.

City Legal Officer Giovanni Tianero said the displaced families should transfer to the 6.5 hectare relocation site in barangay Paknaan because the creek is a danger zone and should be cleared of any houses or structures.

The relocation site could accommodate 1,200 households and is intended to house beneficiaries who live in the city’s danger zones.  Tianero said his office will coordinate with barangay officials in preventing settlers from rebuilding on the site.

“Wala pani sila naka balhin kay ilahang gihulat ang demolition team pero na clear naman ni mao amoa nalang gi-awhag sila nga mubalhin nalang (They haven’t transferred yet because they were waiting for the demolition team but the area is already cleared so we advised them to transfer),” he said.

At least  36 house owners or 261 persons were left homeless by the fire that razed 13 houses in sitio Sapa-Sapa Dos last Thursday afternoon.  Mandaue City fire investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

The barangay council earlier approved a resolution asking the Mandaue City government to extend financial assistance to the fire victims that will be channeled through the Philippine Red Cross.

Manatad said the number of fire victims were not enough to declare the sitio under calamity status but said city officials can still access their quick response fund.

In Cebu City, three fires hit barangays Pahina Central, San Nicolas and Zapatera yesterday.

Fire investigators pegged the fire damage  at Pahina Central at P250,000 while damage caused by the fire that hit the stock room of the Zapatera National High School was worth  P50,000.

Chief Insp. William Tacaldo, Cebu City fire marshal, said the second floor of the two story building owned by Roger Balila in C. Padilla Street, barangay San Nicolas was gutted by a fire.

The second floor was rented by a certain Anthony Wang who sells surplus TV sets.

The fire broke out 12:15 noon and was put out 20 minutes after. No one was injured.

Some Koreans and other Chinese businessmen rented floors in the building. /Jucell Marie P. Cuyos, Reporter with Correspondents Christine Emily L. Pantaleon and Chito Aragon