Zamboanga City opens new transitory site for folk displaced by 2013 siege

The Zamboanga City government opened last Thursday a new transitory site to clear evacuation centers of residents affected by the failed siege by followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.

Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the site was built on property offered by the Silsillah Dialogue Movement in Sitio Paniran, Barangay Sta. Catalina, MindaNews reported.

Climaco-Salazar said at least 15 families were moved to the new transitory site. The families are from the Don Gregorio Memorial School, Zamboanga East Central School and the sports complex.

These families are to benefit from the permanent housing project to be constructed for the Paniran Homeowners Association in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

Earlier transitory sites include the sports complex and those in Barangays Taluksangay, Upper Calarian, Tulungatung, Mampang and Rio Hondo.

Meanwhile, assistant city administrator Dr. Elmeir Apolinario said efforts are underway to build a ninth transitory site in Sitio Buggok, Sta. Catalina.

Apolinario, who heads the temporarily shelter cluster, said the construction of the ninth transitory site will start next week.

Climaco-Salazar said the single recovery shelter units that could house 15 families were constructed by the International Organization for Migration, with help from Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the governments of Japan, Canada and United Kingdom.

For his part, Silsilah founder Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra said allowing the free use of Silsillah’s property was a way of helping the city government to help the evacuees. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News