CEBU, Philippines - Around 29 families occupying a province-owned lot in barangay Tejero who are facing eviction sought the assistance of City Hall yesterday morning.
Members of the Carcelinian Homeowners Association led by their president Potenciano Adobas Jr. visited Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s office airing their concerns.
Adobas said they were only given until October this year by the Cebu provincial government to vacate the 800-square-meter lot located behind the Museo Sugbo, formerly the Cebu Provincial Rehabilitation and Detention Center, along M.J. Cuenco.
He said they first learned of the plan of the Capitol to develop the area into a national museum in a dialogue with provincial treasurer Roy Salubre last May.
Adobas said the occupants are willing to buy the lots they are occupying.
He said they have been occupying the area as early as the 1950’s and they were made to pay a rental fee until the time of former governor Lito Osmeña because of a planned investment that did not push through.
“Unya kalit lang, giingnan mi nga papahawaon mi adtong Mayo ug kutob nalang mi Oktubre, mao nga nagpatabang gyud mi sa mayor,” Adobas said.
He said they asked assistance directly from the mayor alleging that barangay officials remain silent or neutral.
Osmeña assured them legal assistance saying that only a court order can evict them from their residences.
“I’ll do everything to support them, they cannot be evicted without a court order,” he said. – Ferliza C. Contratista and Elly Bolonos of Banat News/BRP (THE FREEMAN)