Barangay Luz residents want demolition put off

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Luz residents set to be affected by an impending demolition are asking the court sheriff to hold off the demolition for now.

The residents reasoned they are still reeling from the fire that hit the barangay last week.

“In my part, I am asking for forgiveness no hurt feeling. I hope they will not annoy us, as of this time,” said Ramon Sagon, 40, a resident of Sitio Lubi.

Sagon said the city government has not provided them a relocation site yet and appealed to the government to help them.

Other residents of Sitio Lubi placed banners outside their houses as a sign of protest against the upcoming demolition.

“58 katuig nagpoyo sa Barangay Luz idimolis supakon ang walay kalooy nga pagpademolis,” one of the banners read.

Sheriff Joseph Olmedo yesterday conducted an assessment of sitios Lubi, Nangka and Mabuhay in Barangay Luz to see if the families affected already vacated the area.

Fifteen families will be affected in Sitio Lubi, 11 from Sitio Mabuhay and six from Sitio Nangka.

However, based on the inspection of Olmedo, who was assisted by seven barangay tanods, he found out that in Sitio Lubi the families affected chose not to vacate.

He said only three of the affected families lost their homes during last week’s fire.

He also said the writ of demolition will be implemented probably this week.

The order has long been final and executory. It was Judge Ramon Daomilas of Regional Trial Court who heard the case.

 The affected families filed a civil case for injunction and preliminary mandatory injunction against their homeowners association seeking the partial annulment of the contracts and certificates of title.

The defendants of the case were Sitio Nangka Homeowners Association Inc., Sitio Mabuhay Homeowners Association Inc., Sitio Lubi Homeowners Association and the Province of Cebu. –(FREEMAN)