Settlers want relocation site, not money

Settlers under the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge on the Lapu-Lapu City side are uncertain where they’ll go after the demolition. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

RATHER than be given money, residents living under the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge prefer to be relocated by the Lapu-Lapu City government.

“Unsaon mana namo, ma’am, ang materiales kung walay kaugbukan nga luna? (What are we going to do with the housing materials if we don’t have any site to build on?)” Miranda Tañan told Cebu Daily News.

Tañan joined the others in clamoring for a relocation site, saying they have accepted the fact that their homes will be demolished to allow repairs on the Manduae-Mactan Bridge to proceed.

At least 81 houses are scheduled for demolition for repairs on a water line running under the bridge that services 50 percent of the needs of households and commercial areas in Mactan Island.

The 37-year-old Tañan has been living under the first bridge for 20 years and she earns by collecting garbage near their place.

“Our livelihood is here. It will be hard for us if we don’t have a place to transfer to,” Tañan said in Cebuano.

Lucy Mata said most of their neighbors would give way so long as there is a relocation site.

Unlike the residents in Mandaue City, Mata said they have been receiving notices from the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas (DPWH 7) on the demolition.

“We have been receiving notices from DPWH. At first its about widening here in our area. The third notice was already about the bridge repair,” she said in Cebuano.

Mata said their barangay officials promised that they won’t lose their homes until a relocation site is provided to them.