New site eyed for Zambo City folk displaced by 2013 siege

A 25-hectare property is being eyed as a new transitory site for Zamboanga City residents displaced in a failed siege by followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.

The proposed site in Barangay Kasanyangan may host the remaining people staying at the evacuation center at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, the city government said Friday.

In a post on its Facebook account, the city government said the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) approved Thursday a resolution authorizing Mayor Isabelle "Beng" Climaco-Salazar to lease the Kasanyangan property owned by Hernan Lim, and immediately build bunkhouses and other facilities.
 
Lim also owns the 38-hectare property adjacent to the proposed transitory site, which the government acquired for permanent shelters.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will construct the bunkhouses, while the social welfare department committed funds for the transitory site.

Proposed transitory site

Presently, there are six existing transitory sites in Taluksangay, Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc. in Upper Calarian, Tulungatung, JEMSC, Masepla in Mampang and Rio Hondo.

Assistant City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario said the proposed transitory site in Kasanyangan can accommodate most of the IDPs at the JEMSC and in the remaining schools. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News