A man who claimed to be a leader of an indigenous group reportedly erected concrete posts for a house on an area in fire-struck Sitio Santa Maria, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City despite an ongoing reblocking.

Amelito Jimenez, referred to as “Datu Amihan” of Lumad KKK-Alimaong tribe, was reported to have started rebuilding his house without approval from the Local Government Unit of Lapu-Lapu City.

Jimenez was also accused of inviting other members of their group to build houses in the fire-hit area. 

Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan went to inspect the area on January 9, 2024 and told Jimenez of a meeting set with the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) which owns legally the lot that Jimenez has claimed based on documents he possesses. 

Jimenez further claimed he is a fire victim. His wife, Floramie, showed three charred flag poles in front of what used to be their “tribal court” adjacent to their house. They also showed photographs of the “tribal court” on the area hit by a huge fire on December 12, 2023 which left around 8,000 individuals homeless.

Furthermore, the couple denied inviting group members to settle in the area.

Chan enumerated that the three lots in the area have different owners. One is owned by PEZA, one by the Lim Tan Ho family, and one by General Milling Corporation.

However, the informal settlers got the assurance from the mayor that a socialized housing program is available through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

On January 11, 2024, members of the group trooped to the City Hall for a meeting.

The members stayed at the city hall atrium, while Jimenez and his counsel, Victoriano Anonas referred to as “Datu Makaatol Tugas” were allowed to meet the mayor.

Atty. Abdullah Adel-Khan Alug, PEZA administrator; PEZA Division Chief Renato Doce, and Lapu-Lapu City legal officers joined the meeting. 

It was learned that Jimenez was once a PEZA security guard and an informal settler in Santa Maria for 36 years. 

The meeting concluded with Jimenez pledging support to the direction of the city government.

Chan said that an on-site development in affected areas is expected to get the support of the DHSUD for a four-storey socialized housing.

He pointed out that the “national government will subsidize 70 percent of the amortization amount.”

He will propose to the City Council that it "shell out 10 percent of the counterpart fund for five years and the remaining 20 percent will be shouldered by the beneficiaries."

The mayor added that one of the lot owners also proposed to provide a near-the-area relocation site. 

(Additional info courtesy: Lapu-Lapu City Public Information Office)