More than 2,000 residents and workers in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City, face the threat of losing their homes and livelihoods as the 4th Cebu-Mactan Bridge project moves closer to construction. The PHP 76.4 billion mega-project has sparked fears among affected families that their long-standing source of income, passed down through generations, will be cut off.
Local Government Struggles with Relocation
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano admitted that the city government is finding it difficult to identify a suitable and acceptable relocation site for the affected residents. This comes after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 7 requested permission to clear portions of the Paknaan coastline to make way for bridge pillars, access roads, and other project components.
The massive project is expected to directly impact at least 205 families living in the area, including informal settlers and fire victims. Additionally, over 2,000 residents and workers who depend on the long-established broom-making industry are at risk of losing their primary source of income.
Residents Resist Relocation Outside Mandaue
According to Mayor Ouano, many families have refused to be relocated outside Mandaue due to concerns over their livelihoods and children’s education. “The request of many families is for temporary relocation within the same area. They do not want to move far because they have lived there for a long time,” Mayor Ouano said. Some have also rejected financial assistance and insisted that the government provide decent and permanent relocation sites within the city.
The mayor noted that one of the biggest challenges for the city government is the lack of vacant land for relocation. Existing relocation areas, such as Bayanihan Village in Barangay Guizo, are already full, while ongoing socialized housing projects can only accommodate over 100 to 150 families per building, far from the actual number of those in need.
Clearing Operations Imminent
Reports indicate that the government has begun surveying and placing red markings in the area, signaling that clearing operations will begin soon. Despite promises of relocation and financial aid, residents remain uncertain about where they will be moved. The DPWH has yet to provide a clear timeline for the project or details about relocation assistance.
Meanwhile, some are hoping for slots in Barangay Tipolo Residences, but these have been exhausted after priority was given through a lottery system to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and families with young children.
The DPWH targets to start preparatory work within the second or third quarter of this year.
