CH: Relocation offered, but residents refused

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City officials, who are the respondents of the civil case filed by residents affected by the demolition in Mahiga Creek, said the families who were affected were offered a temporary shelter in Block 27 in the North Reclamation Area but none went there.

According to Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Officer Alvin Santillana there were 20 container vans put up to serve as temporary shelters, each able to house two families.

Santillana said the relocation site was also provided with a shower room, kitchen, bathrooms, a washing area and even free light and water.

They presented in court images of the actual situation of the houses of the residents beside the creek.

The officials said that there is a need to relocate the residents with the coming of the rainy season and many lives will be put in danger if they do nothing.

Defense lawyer Carlo Gimena said his clients did not cause any damage to the settlers. He added it was the affected families who did the demolition and the respondents were there to clear the area.

Santillana said they only cleared the houses within the three-meter easement zone from the river. He added what the backhoe did was to dredge the river and it did not threaten the residents in San Isidro, Mabolo.

There were 142 families affected but only 32 lost their homes as they lived within the three-meter easement zone.

Santillana added one of the main causes of flooding are the structures built beside the river.

According to lawyer Jade Ponce, the representative of Mayor Michael Rama, they will do their responsibility with regards to the demolition.

Meanwhile, Pagtambayayong Foundation President Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, on the side of the residents, yesterday filed his motion for intervention.

He said he filed intervention because he wanted to be part of the case which the court interpreted as seeking to withdraw his petition for injunction with prayer for the issuance of preliminary and temporary restraining order.

But Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras said Fernandez is already part of the civil case after he represented the residents in filing the injunction.

During yesterday’s hearing petitioners Gemma Malinay, Roselyn Jabedo, Eduardo Cuambot, Estrella Maraba, Rea Remetio, Elbetha Caube, Angelito Miego and Hermecijie Pabilic were present.

The respondents of the case are the Mayor Michael Rama, Squatters Prevention Elimination and Encroachment Division head Noel Artes and Alvin Santillana and Harold Alcontin both members of Cebu City Risk Reduction Management Coordinating Council.

The petitioners claimed Rama refused to provide any relocation or financial assistance to them as they are qualified beneficiaries of the socialized housing program under Republic Act 7279. (FREEMAN)