DEMOLITION THREAT: Rama intercedes for Quiot residents

CEBU, Philippines - The more than 1,300 families, who were ordered by the court to voluntarily demolish their houses illegally built on a private lot in Barangay Quiot, have found an ally with Mayor Michael Rama who helped them ask the court for six months grace period to give them time to look for relocation.

The informal settlers have promised in return to voluntarily vacate the lot as soon as the city government is able to find a place for them to relocate.

The residents were supported by Rama in their manifestation before the court. Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Estella Alma Singco issued the demolition order on March 11, 2010 giving the residents 10 days to voluntarily demolish their houses.

The residents claimed that they are financially distressed as of the moment that they could find a relocation site in such a short notice.

Residents said they also want their children to finish this semester because they received the notice on June 11 when most of their children have already enrolled in school.

They also hope that the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) will be able to find a relocation site for them in six months. DWUP head Danilo Gabiana admitted that they are having a hard time finding a relocation site for the residents of Quiot because the city would need to find two hectares of lot to accommodate 1,300 families.

He said that it is not easy to find a livable area that will not cost more that P2,500 per square meter and has already water, power, roads, and other basic needs.

Ralph Sayson, DWUP land investigation staff said that these residents were already offered to be relocated before the court decision in 2004 but refused because they hoped that the court will decide in their favor.

The residents built their houses on at least four lots at Sabellano Street in Barangay Quiot without the consent of the owners.

Japer Development Corporation which owns the lots have been asking the residents to vacate since 1992. In fact, there was already a court decision in September 2004 ordering the residents to leave the place and remove whatever improvements constructed therein.   (FREEMAN NEWS)