Mandaue City is preparing to move families who lost their homes during Typhoon Tino last November to a temporary relocation site ahead of schedule. Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano announced that the transfer could begin soon as housing units are already being set up at the designated area.
Transitory Site Nears Completion Ahead of Schedule
According to Mayor Ouano, the construction of housing units at The Pasilong Sa Paradise relocation site in Barangay Guizo is progressing faster than planned. The units, provided by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), along with tents, are already being installed. The initial batch is expected to be finished by December 20, 2025, which was the original target date for starting the relocation process.
The city is currently awaiting a private contractor to install portable toilets to complete the basic facilities. Mayor Ouano emphasized that all essential utilities are already in place. "In terms of water connection, everything is already in place, and the electricity has also been worked out," he stated, ensuring the comfort and safety of the future evacuees.
Mayor Prioritizes Permanent Housing Over Tents
While the site will provide immediate shelter, Mayor Ouano expressed a clear preference for more durable solutions. "Personally, I am not very satisfied with tents because I really prefer permanent housing units," he said. The current setup includes 100 DHSUD housing units and 300 tents, with the latter serving only as an initial option.
He stressed that he does not want the displaced families to move in until the site is fully functional and comfortable. "I do not want them to experience a situation where there is no water or electricity," Ouano explained. "I want everything to be completely ready before we allow them to transfer. We should not rush this."
Priority Given to Most Severely Affected Families
The first to be relocated will be families whose houses were completely destroyed by the floods caused by Typhoon Tino on November 4, 2025. Priority will be given to those still staying in evacuation centers, such as the Mandaue City Central School, Barangay Alang-Alang, and Barangay Umapad.
Mayor Ouano noted that some families have chosen to remain in schools and gymnasiums being used as evacuation centers. He clarified that the Barangay Guizo site is only a temporary or transitory shelter. The city government continues to search for a permanent resettlement area for the affected families. "This relocation is only meant to be a transitory site while we are still identifying a permanent location for them," Ouano concluded.
