Mandaue City is taking decisive action to assist families who lost their homes to recent flooding, with Mayor Thadeo Jovito "Jonkie" Ouano announcing the establishment of a temporary tent city for displaced residents.
Immediate Shelter Solution
The city government has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to secure 300 tents capable of accommodating approximately 600 families. These tents are scheduled for delivery on November 25, with relocation and installation operations expected to begin the following week.
Mayor Ouano emphasized that the relocation is strictly temporary, serving as a transitory solution while permanent housing locations are identified. The Pasilong sa Paradise area has been selected as the primary relocation site due to its existing infrastructure, including water access, drainage systems, and electricity.
Addressing Community Concerns
The City Social Welfare Services is currently conducting assessments to determine the exact number of families willing to relocate. Some residents have expressed reluctance to move far from their original communities, according to Mayor Ouano, and several barangay captains have voiced similar concerns about the distance of the proposed relocation site.
In response to these challenges, the city government is considering long-term options, including potential land acquisition outside Mandaue City due to high property costs within the urban area. This plan would require collaboration with national government agencies and approval from the Mandaue City Council.
Long-Term Housing Strategy
Socialized housing is being considered as a permanent solution for displaced families. Current housing projects in Barangay Tipolo have already allocated spaces for fire victims from Guizo, Mantuyong, and Tipolo, with remaining families to be relocated once additional lots become available.
Originally, the tents were expected to serve for up to one year, but the national government has decided to donate them instead. Meanwhile, riverside homes will no longer be permitted for habitation after these areas were declared No-Build Zones, marking a significant shift in the city's approach to flood-prone residential areas.
The comprehensive approach demonstrates Mandaue City's commitment to both immediate disaster response and sustainable urban planning, balancing urgent humanitarian needs with long-term community development goals.
