CAGAYAN de Oro former Mayor Oscar Moreno yesterday, March 31, urged residents affected by the road right-of-way issue at the still-unused Tablon Hospital to accept relocation for security of tenure.
Moreno made the statement during his ‘Pakighinabi Serye’ in Tablon, where resident Lando Genelazo expressed frustration over the distant relocation sites offered to them.
“Kani atong hospital, wala ni natiwas tungod kuno sa dalan. Kami kuno ang hinungdan kay nag magahi. Kinsa man say ganahan magdali-dali nga kung maigo among balay asa man sad mi paingon,” Genelazo said.
Genelazo said they were offered P50,000 in compensation but questioned how far the amount could sustain them, noting it would likely only cover rent. He worried they might end up living under a bridge and again be labeled a problem by the government.
“Muingon na pud ang gobyerno nga pabadlong mi nganong magpuyo mi sa tulay,” he said.
While happy that a hospital is finally being built in their area, Genelazo said he was saddened by the looming demolition of their homes.
He pleaded with Moreno to ensure their relocation would not be too far away, citing Balubal as the designated relocation site.
“Ayaw mi ipalayo kay panahon nga manginahanglan mi ani inyong project (the hospital) nga gihatag kanamo, among balikan,” he said.
Moreno, however, advised residents to accept relocation, emphasizing that it would provide long-term stability for their families.
“There is no government in the world that can provide for all the needs of its people,” he said. “But it is important to have a strong, professional, and experienced bureaucracy that knows what to do. That requires discipline.”
He added that the quality of public services depends on the leaders people elect.
“Kung nagpili kamo ug tapulan, nagpili kamo ug way nahibaw-an, wala gyud sya’y mahimo kay wala man sya’y nahibaw-an,” Moreno said.
He also stressed the need to improve the city’s competitiveness, noting that the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) is already at capacity.
The Tablon Hospital, he said, is intended to serve patients from Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
“If even 1% of Oro’s population is hospitalized, NMMC cannot accommodate everyone,” he said, explaining why he prioritized building more hospitals.
Moreno said he initially considered constructing hospitals in Bugo, Puerto, and Cugman but was unable to secure land in those areas.
When a one-hectare lot became available in Tablon, the city moved forward with the project despite the presence of informal settlers.
“The reality is, di gyud maato ang yuta. Mao nay realidad. Mao nang kinahanglan mangita kita’g paagi nga naa nang security of tenure ― kanang kasiguruan sa puluy-anan,” he said.
He mentioned existing relocation sites in Lumbia, Indahag, Balubal, and Pagatpat, acknowledging concerns over their distance but promising to seek solutions, particularly for those worried about losing their livelihoods in Tablon.
However, he encouraged residents to explore new skills instead of relying on existing means such as gathering firewood.
“Ayaw sa sirhi ang inyong huna-huna anang relocation. Kay asa man ang inyong gusto, nia ‘ra mo’s duol pero walay kasiguruan sa pagpuyo o didto kamo sa layo-layo pero naay kasiguruhan sa pagpuyo,” Moreno rhetorically asked.
