Cebu City to start building housing units for families displaced by ‘Gubat sa Baha’ campaign

Local

THE Cebu City Government will begin constructing 100 transitional housing units aimed at helping residents displaced by the city’s flood control efforts under the "Gubat sa Baha" campaign.

The construction may start in November at Block 27 of the North Reclamation Area (NRA).

City Councilor Joel Garganera on Tuesday, October 22, said that Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is set to sign an agreement with SM Development Corp. (SMDC) and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) to kick off the project.

The units, which will be built on city-owned property, will provide temporary shelter to affected families.

Gubat sa Baha is Cebu City's flood control campaign aimed at reducing flooding by clearing waterways, improving drainage, and relocating informal settlers from flood-prone areas. The initiative focuses on infrastructure projects and policies to better manage water flow during heavy rains.

The project had encountered delays after the City Council requested clarifications regarding the timeline and location of the units. These delays also stalled the bidding process for 500 additional City-funded housing units, initially planned for September.

Garganera emphasized that the City Council has committed to easing the process for SMDC and CCCI’s donation.

“The City Council has compromised not to make things difficult for the donors. They are willing to give. They are the ones donating; why should we give them more problems?” Garganera said.

In addition to the 100 units from SMDC and CCCI, the city government will spend P600 million from its first Supplemental Budget to build 1,000 more transitional housing units.

In earlier reports, Ronald Anthony “Butch” Librando, Executive Director of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, said that the City must bid out the P600 million soon or risk having the funds reverted to the city’s general coffers by year-end.(MyTVCebu)