Robredo: Barangay Ucab landslide survivors urgently need permanent housing

The surviving victims of the landslide in Barangay Ucab, Itogon, Benguet are in dire need of a permanent relocation site so they can start rebuilding their lives after the tragedy, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.

Robredo, who visited ground zero on Friday, was referring to the community where at least 49 people were buried alive at the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong two weeks ago.

Robredo said there are at least 60 families in evacuation centers who have no place to go.

“A permanent relocation site, that's the number one [need]. Kasi hindi din sila makaplano ng hanapbuhay until hindi nila alam kung saan sila mare-relocate. Halimbawa, kanina, may mga nag-express na gusto nilang mag-buy-and-sell ng gulay. Pero until kasi hindi nade-determine kung saan iyong permanent relocation site, mahirap,” Robredo said.

“Mahirap din na maghanap ng permanenteng hanapbuhay,” Robredo added.

Robredo, the chairperson of Liberal Party (LP), also said that she will touch base with Ifugao lawmaker and LP party-mate Teddy Baguilat to determine possible relocation sites for the victims.

“The basic needs of the people should be available in the relocation site. Kasi ang worry natin, kapag tapos na itong lahat, baka dahil walang mababalikan, ma-tempt bumalik. Iyon iyong ayaw natin...na wala silang makakapitan. And because of that, they will be willing to face danger instead,” Robredo said.

“Mayroong mga nag-avail ng Balik Probinsya. Mayroon ding mga gustong mag-avail pero dahil walang kasiguruhan kung may mauuwian na hanapbuhay, nag-aatubili. Kaya iyong pinaka-kuwestiyon talaga, saan sila pupunta? May ibinigay naman sa kanila na evacuation center sa isang barangay; kanina ine-express nila na nag-aatubili rin sila doon kasi 18 kilometers away, malayo sa paaralan ng mga bata,” she added.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has already declared Barangay Ucab as unsafe for residents.

Robredo then warned that closing the small-scale mining in the area should also mean providing a different source of livelihood for the people.

“Of course, we are for their safety. Kasi kung hindi safe para sa kanila, para ano iyong kabuhayan? But it is easy to say stop the mining. We should also think: How will these people earn their livelihood? Kasi hanggang hindi natin binibigyan ng alternative na kabuhayan, mahihirapan iyong mga tao na intindihin iyong dahilan ng pagpapatigil,” Robredo said.

“Alam nila na nanganganib iyong buhay nila kung itutuloy [ang [pagmimina], nanganganib iyong kalikasan natin, pero marami kasi iyong kumakapit talaga sa patalim dahil sa kahirapan. Dapat iniintindi natin iyon. Hindi puwedeng sasabihin lang natin na “isarado na, itigil na,” nang walang ibinibigay na alternatibo,” she added. — RSJ, GMA News