A woman living in the temporary shelter in Barangay San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City, broke down in tears on Tuesday, October 22, as the city government carried out inspections and locked several units that residents failed to vacate after the October 21 relocation deadline.
She cried because the inspection team found out she had extended her kitchen to make her family’s space comfortable and secure.
She explained that the added structure did not inconvenience anyone.
“Ginawa ko lang po ito para may maayos kaming lutuan at hindi mabasa ang mga gamit namin. Wala naman po akong ginugulo o naapektuhan,” she said while sobbing during the inspection.
Barangay Bagong Silang chairperson Rene Balacanta, from whom she was told to ask for help, said he understands her situation and assured her that he would bring her concern to Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
“Naawa rin ako sa kanya kasi parang napag-iinitan lang. Pero ipararating ko kay mayor ‘yung concern niya,” he said.
The woman is among the families that were relocated to the Temporary Shelter in Barangay San Pedro when a huge fire destroyed homes in Bagong Silang, where the cruise port is also located.
Extending her kitchen isn’t allowed based on the policy being implemented by the city government in the Temporary Shelter, where they pay no rent, and their water and electricity are free.
The inspection and padlocking were led by the City Housing Office, which reported that 81 units in the temporary shelter had already been secured after the deadline for transfer to Barangay Mangingisda expired.
Engineer Arthur Tapalla of the City Housing Office said the operation began Monday and continued Tuesday for 14 remaining families.
“Yung aming grupo ay composite team na ng bawat office, kasama ang City Engineering, Architect, City Information Office at saka ng General Service Office para i-inventory ang mga gamit ng bawat room kasi based sa guidelines ay dapat ilaw lang, electric fan, at washing machine na manual,” Tapalla explained to Palawan News.
“Kasi ‘yung gamit ng iba ay sobra na at may mga rice cooker, heater, piso wifi, bawal kasi ‘yun, at mga extension [units],” he added.
He added that most residents were found to have violated the city’s guidelines by building extensions and using appliances not allowed inside the temporary units.
“Parang halos lahat [may violation.] [Sa susunod na paglabag] siguro doon na kami magbibigay ng action talaga at paalisin o gibain ‘yung mga extension nila. Basta kami naka-base kami sa guidelines namin kasi noong una nung na-award ito ay alam nila ang bawal at hindi,” he said.
Balacanta said it is difficult to constantly monitor the residents’ compliance, but his office had repeatedly reminded them to follow the city’s rules.
He stated that the City Housing Office ordered the removal of all unauthorized extensions at the temporary shelter because many residents had already made structural additions to their units.
The city also reminded residents that only light appliances such as electric fans and light bulbs were allowed.
Heavy appliances like flat irons, rice cookers, and similar equipment were prohibited because they could overload and damage the shelter’s electrical system.
He added that 40 families from his barangay had already left the shelter since Monday.
“Mayroon na kaming nauna na 26 noong una, at ito namang sumunod ngayon ay mayroon kaming 14. Inuuna ko talaga dyan ‘yung may mga bangka kasi ‘yung coastal road na ginagawa doon sa amin ay mahaba na. So, anytime, hindi na sila pwedeng makadaan doon dahil nga mayroon nang coastal road na ginagawa sa may tapat ng aming coastal area,” he said.
The city’s inspection will continue in the coming days to ensure that all remaining units are vacated and that the housing guidelines are followed.
