The prolonged rains caused an overflowing water from the riverbanks. The January 25 rain is really an eye opener to the government and to all the community in Metro Cebu.

Days later,  the 2 city governments are on a rush to clean up rivers and creeks specially the Mahiga creek which each side belongs to other city.  Last January 28, 2011 the Cebu City demolition team started to hammer down structures built along Mahiga Creek that caught the attention of Mandaue City government to initiate a consultation between the informal settlers.

The consultation held in San Roque Parish Gymnasium was attended by nearly a thousand creek dwellers in Barangay Subangdaku.  Facilitated by Emmanuel Arong head of Housing and Urban Development Office, government officials including representatives from PCUP,  Brgy. Captain Ernie Manatad of Subangdaku, Councilor  Demetrio Cortes Jr., PCUP Asst. Director Paz Torlao and Rev. Fr. Rolyn Vics, CM the parish priest of San Roque Parish, and representatives from Philiipine Action for Community-led Shelter Initiatives, Inc. (PACSII) including Engr. Noel Zeta among others.

Officials addressed affected residents’s in a forum moderated by Paz Torlao.

Relocation or Financial Aid

Arong made a clear reminder to the listener that a process mandated under the Urban Development and Housing Act will be followed that a 30-day demolition notice will be served.


He also added that a 6.5 hectare is under negotiation for relocation site in Brgy. Paknaan that can accommodate 1,200 households. 

Engr. Noel Zeta (PACSII) also presented to the assembly their proposal for on-site development that can accommodate approximately 150 houses.   The area has a total of 4,925 square-meter in Sitio Mahayag near the Makro store. 

But the 2 proposed relocation sites could not accommodate the total danger zone dwellers that comprised of 2,630 households according to HUDO survey.

Financial assistance is an alternative which is equivalent to 60 days’ wages using the mandated minimum wages Arong said.

The law prohibits structures within three meters from a river, but thousands of structures lined up along rivers and other waterways in the cities.

Jessica Rojas of Sitio Mahusay said that she is willing that her housed be demolished but she is asking for a relocation site and if there’s a possibility she want the relocation site like the LTHAI houses.

Genaro Rote of Sitio Nawanao said that they are not against the demolition but as of the moment the creek must be cleaned through mud and garbage extraction.

Savings Orientation at

Sitio Pokang, Brgy. Looc, Mandaue City

Looc is one of the barangays in Mandaue City adjacent to old Mactan Bridge and University of Cebu Lapulapu-Mandaue.  Sitio Pokang was named after their newly-elected Barangay Captain Pokang Cabahug. 

Inspired by the savings community in Sitio Bantayan sa Hari, Looc Mandaue City, the community in Sitio Pokang found a need to save for their future to secure tenure.  It was on December 12, 2010 that the community had the orientation and on the same day some of the participants started their savings.  The orientation was participated by approximately 30 interested community members with Ms . Verna Callao who invited the Federation to conduct the activity. 

It was started with a documentary showing of Homeless no More and LTHAI’s Dagat, Lapuk, Yuta.  The participants were astonished by the success of LTHAI community and eager to replicate its process.

The half-day orientation was facilitated by Mrs. Loreta Andales  together with Mr. Leopoldo Chavez.  A sharing of experience was given by Virginia Martel from their neighboring Sitio Bantayan Sa Hari, Looc, Mandaue City.

      

“Nagpaminaw ug nalipay ko nga nakadungog kay maayo, maayo kaayo ang savings.  Nagsugod na ko og save karon ug akong ipadayon.”  ROMEL ANTIGUA (participant/saver)                                                                                                              

Participants put into action what they have heard from the orientation.

Listening to Mrs. Loreta Andales of HPFPI

  

LTHAI's Current View

Areal view 

Second batch of the Housing Project with 51 row houses; the open area is ready for the 3rd batch which is 15% of its completion

First batch of LTHAI - 14 row houses (The first and second row-from right to left) 

Landscape View

SALUPA COMMUNAL TOILET 95% COMPLETE (First 6-door toilet)

Few days later the SALUPA community would implement 100% of their formulated policy for their 6-door toilet operation. Exactly next month January 2011, 410 households can directly/indirectly benefit the restored communal toilets initiated by the SALUPA communities.    This project is being supported by young professionals and the academe from Cebu Institute of Technology University.   The success of this project has never been easy.  However, through the strong will and convincing power of some community members the project continues and now it is 95% complete.  

Through this progress the community is appreciative for active participation and support of the local government and other partner institution to community initiatives and programs.  

On January 2011, the community will commence building their 2^nd communal toilet project.  Unlike the 1^st project which the undertakings were of restoring the dilapidated toilet, this time the community will build a new one to different location with a hope that more members can benefit with this project.  The community also hopes increase in membership and affiliates.     

The 2nd 6-door communal toilet will be built on this area

On-site visit with the academe, young professional and Nonoy Chavez

Cebu City Wide Enumeration Survey

Cebu City Wide Enumeration Survey - In connection with strengthening of linkage to Cebu City for Community Enumeration Survey, the Local Housing Board of Cebu City finally acknowledged and permitted the federation to conduct enumeration survey to some danger zone and shoreline areas.  After several appearances to the office of Cebu City Councilor Alvin M. Dizon and Local Housing Board the lobbying of HPFPI enumeration survey program has been approved to be done in the city during the Board meeting held last 13 December 2010.

Leopoldo "Nonoy" Chavez lobbying city-wide enumeration survey during the Local Housing Board Cebu City

Cebu City Councilor Alvin M. Dizon

As part of the procedure, an initial SEC registration of Cebu City Homeless Peoples Federation Philippines, Inc has been arranged to acquire legal entity of the group.  List of 15 HOA officers in Cebu City has been submitted along with the SEC registration of HPFPI to the Local Housing Board of Cebu City for legal partnership with the Cebu City government. 

To commence the enumeration program, the group agrees that Barangays Tejero and Tinago would be their pilot areas to be surveyed. 

Mandaue City: 16 families lose homes to fire blaze

December 14, 2010 - Around 9:30 in the morning a fire destroyed a boarding house made of "amakan" yesterday in sitio Tundan in barangay Basak, Mandaue City, leaving 16 families homeless.  The cause of fire has not been determined yet but the fire started in the room of certain "Noynoy" as told by SF01 Arnold Lao of MCFD.

Most of the family renters worked for a bakeshop approximately located 50 meters away from the boarding house.  According to Barangay Basak Chairman Dayanan tents will be put up as temporary shelter for the fire victims.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also assured the families will receive assistance from the city.