Seven families to be relocated to Paknaan social housing site

SEVEN families displaced by the landslide in barangay Casuntingan were endorsed for relocation to the barangay Pakna-an relocation site in Mandaue City.

Tonypet Juanico, chief of the Housing and Urban Development Office said he will orient these families on their requirements as beneficiaries after they were endorsed by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The 6.5 hectare lot can only accommodate 1,200 units and is occupied by several urban poor organizations.

Joan Elga, one of the beneficiaries, said they have no choice but to relocate to a safer area.

Another beneficiary, Marites Montes, said she and her family are still recovering their belongings from what used to be their house.

The lot owner PhilGas was informed of the landslide and took precautionary measures, said Casuntingan barangay captain Oscar del Castillo.

He said the families experienced landslides but didn’t talk about it for fear of being relocated.

“If the families told us about these incidents years ago then they would have been relocated earlier,” he said.

Castillo said the area where the landslide occurred is owned by a certain businessman who operates some junkshops in Mandaue City.

Castillo said he has yet to verify the businessman’s name.

Some of the houses were located near the hill side while others stood near the river.

He said he didn’t receive any complaints from the lot owner.

He said 21 of these families were housed at the barangay basketball court.

Food, tents, cooking materials and clothing were provided to them.

“If those other families want relocation we will help them to be included in the relocation,” Castillo told Cebu Daily News. Correspondents Norman V. Mendoza and Michelle Joy L. Padayhag