City government clears 2 Zambo schools of IDPs

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 15 (PNA) -- The city government has fulfilled its commitment to the Department of Education (DepEd) to clear of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) the Mampang and Arena Blanco Elementary Schools in time for the opening of school year 2014-2015.

This, as the city government in cooperation with national agencies and humanitarian partners completed Wednesday afternoon the transfer of 79 IDP-families from the two schools to the Masepla transitory site in Barangay Mampang, which will serve as their temporary shelter pending construction of permanent houses closer if not possible in their areas of origin.

Zamboanga City Hall

 Of the 79 IDP-families transferred, 50 came from Mampang Elementary School while 29 came from Arena Blanco Elementary School.

They were from the shoreline of R.T. Lim Boulevard commonly knowmn as “Cawa-Cawa Boulevard and were moved to the two elementary schools early April to help decongest the shoreline in view of health risks.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Zamboanga CityI

Assistant City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario, head of the temporary shelter cluster, said the movement of the IDPs to the Masepla transitory site took place after the necessary amenities such as latrines and basic requirements like water and light were installed in the area.

Based on an agreement with DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, the use of the Mampang Elementary School was to cover only a period of two months during summer while the construction of bunkhouses at Masepla, Mampang was ongoing.

The IDPs are to vacate the place at least two weeks before the opening of classes in June and that all amenities such as water and light including the sanitation facilities will be taken care of by the city government.

Apolinario said the city government will shoulder the expenses for the repair of the school facilities once the IDPs are transferred to their bunkhouses.

Meanwhile, movement of other IDP-families staying at the Cawa-Cawa Boulevard will be done gradually, targeting the most vulnerable.

Apolinario said ground preparations are continuously being undertaken by concerned clusters that will pave the way for the smooth transfer of the IDP-families to the transitory site. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/PR/UTB