Rama still undecided on postponement

CEBU, Philippines - While the scheduled clearing of illegal structures in Mahiga Creek on April 27 is fast approaching, Cebu City Hall had received several requests from the affected residents to postpone the operation.

“Ang mayor ra g’yud ang makahukom kon iya ba nga lugwayan ang pagpangguba sa mga illegal structures. Kami igo lang motuman sa order gikan sa mayor,” said Noel Artes, head of the City Hall’s Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (Speed). (Only the mayor can decide on that, we will only do what he says.)

The FREEMAN asked Mayor Michael Rama whether he will grant the request of the illegal dwellers along the river bed and the three-meter radius from Mahiga Creek, but the mayor said he will talk first with City Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias.

Cabarrubias was designated as the head of the project to clear the rivers of illegal structures, including those built within the three-meter radius from the creek or rivers.

Artes said there are 147 illegal houses constructed along the river bed and within the three-meter easement of the Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo that are scheduled to be demolished April 27.

“Daghan kaayo mi og nadawat nga mga hangyo nga iuswag lang ang pagpangguba sa mga balay. Ang uban migamit g’yud og mga abogado aron pagpugong sa demolition, apan ang mayor ra gayud ang makahukom,” Artes said. (We received a lot of requests from residents, some of whom coursed their appeal through their lawyers.)

The illegal structures that are scheduled to be destroyed by SPEED are located in five sitios of barangay Mabolo - San Isidro, APM, Back Pepsi, Magtalisay, Sindulan and New Frontier.

According to Artes, they already issued notices to vacate to families living in the danger zone. The families, however, continue to ignore the notices.

Artes said there is no need to secure a court order to demolish the illegal structures because these are considered public nuisance under the National Building Code.

Mahiga Creek is the waterway that passes through barangays Kasambagan and Mabolo. It starts from sitio Rotunda in barangay Banilad beside the Maria Luisa Park and snakes it way through Kasambagan, Subangdaku and Mabolo. (FREEMAN)