Demolition disrupts Capitol Site kids’ education
Some children displaced by the demolition of their houses in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Capitol Site are getting sick after getting exposed to the elements, claim their parents. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
SOME of the children of displaced families in Barangay Capitol Site have been forced to stop going to school.
Most are suffering from flu because of the unpredictable weather.
Glynes Abaquita, 45, said her six-year-old son Rex would have been in Grade 2 next school year.
But Rex, who had a bout of asthma as their walls were being torn down last Wednesday, was also forced to stop attending his classes.
Abaquita said she was worried that Rex would have another asthma attack because he is exposed to the elements.
Abaquita, her husband, son Rex and mother stay inside the tent provided by Barangay Capitol Site during the day.
At night, they sleep under their wooden kitchen table which is outside the tent.
“Those who occupy the tent at night are the children and senior citizens while we sleep outside the tent,” Abaquita said.
The Abaquita family shares the tent with nine other families or 23 individuals. Other displaced families have set up makeshift shelters nearby.
The Abaquita family’s house in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City was the first to be demolished last Wednesday.
Cebu City Health Chief Daisy Villa told Cebu Daily News that she received requests for assistance from the displaced residents.
But she said she has yet to determine the kind of assistance they will extend.
“Daghan pa ko’g gibuhat, dili ko ganahan na masayop kog tubag kay ako unya ang ma blame. Pero as of now nag gather namig data para ma determine kung unsa ang mga common na sakit ug ang tambal na among angay na ihatag nila,” Villa said.
(I’m busy. I don’t want to give the wrong answer. But as of now, we’re gathering data to determine what the common illnesses are and what kind of medicines should be given to them.)
As of 11 a.m. yesterday, four more houses have been torn down.
The team sent by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) is carrying out the Feb. 5 order issued by Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro for the demolition of 150 houses. The affected residents initially resisted, but eventually gave in and packed their belongings.
Capitol Site Barangay Captain Manuel Guanzon said two more tents will be provided today to the displaced families.
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