THE occupants of five houses that were damaged by the landslide that hit Sitio Langub, Barangay Sirao, Cebu City after a heavy downpour last Monday have already left the area and are living with their relatives at the barangay proper.
Edna Velasco, 43, a housewife and a long-time resident of Barangay Sirao, said that although her house was spared from the devastation, she still wanted to leave the area for fear of another landslide.
“Makuyawan mi kay anhi moagi ang tubig unya kusog kaayo (We fear because the water flows heavily in this area),” said Velasco in an interview.
The owners of the damaged houses as well as Velasco and the rest of the unaffected residents were hoping to get financial assistance from the city government so they could transfer to another location and build houses there.
Nagiel Bañacia, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head, said the city will allocate standby funds for the residents in the area, as well as a budget for the families whose houses were damaged.
These standby funds are intended for the residents in the area in preparation for the next possible landslide that will occur.
“This standby funds will encourage the residents here to transfer to some parts of the city that are not a high-risk area,” said Bañacia yesterday during his visit to the site.
Bañacia, however, said the budget still needs approval from the City Council. /CNU Intern Geralyn M. Alba
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