Women’s Center delayed because woman won’t budge

WORK is delayed in the construction of a Povincial Women’s Center in sitio Sudlon, barangay Lahug in Cebu City  because one woman is holding out.

One female homeowner refuses to relocate to a Gawad Kalinga housing site in Minglanilla town.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, co-chairperson of the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC), said they have offered the resident all that is provided by the law.

“Under the UDHA (Urban Development and Housing Act) Law, we only have two obligations—offer financial assistance or a relocation site,” Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale told reporters yesterday.
She said they offered a relocation site in Minglanilla town where Gawad Kalinga has a project site.

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“They have titled lots there. I talked to the old woman (the owner) and told her to transfer there.

We’ve sent many emissaries, but this was never solved,” Magpale said.

The P20-million center  was supposed to open last July.

At present  only 20 percent of construction has been completed.

Magpale said the woman and Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora made a trip to barangay Kalunasan in Cebu City yesterday to look at possible sites where the owner preferred to be relocated.

“One of the things she asked us was to build a temporary shelter for her while they are building a permanent one. That’s beyond what the UDHA requires,” the vice governor said.

Updates
The provincial government broke ground for the crisis center last February.

Standing on a 1,000-sq. m. lot beside the Cebu Provincial Police Office, the center will cater to women and children who are victims of abuse, violence, and trafficking.

The Capitol set aside P10 million for the construction of the center from its Annual Investment Plan for 2014. Magpale said she expects to receive updates from Jamora by today.

In an earlier interview, Jamora said the provincial government’s real estate division already sent a demand letter to all  affected homeowners.

Two homeonwers initially opposed it  but  one  showed willingness to be relocated.

Engr. Jamora said he still cannot say when  construction will resume.

Once completed, the center will have a 40-bed occupancy. The main building will serve as the child protection services unit.

It will house the legal, psychosocial, direct social services, medical, and administrative offices.

The facility will also have a mess hall and social hall for the  the children’s activities.

Magpale said she was accused by the home owner of  being “unmerciful.”

“Naluoy man ko (I took pity on her), but I appealed to her saying, ‘Ma’am, you are holding hostage a project of the provincial government,” she said