Judge asked: Uphold right to a relocation

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of Barangay Luz who are facing eviction are asking Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas to help them uphold their right to a relocation site.

The 29 families whose houses are subject of a pending writ of demolition wrote a letter to Daomilas asking the latter to ensure that a relocation site is provided before implementing the writ.

The affected families stated in their letter that under the law, “urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted, not their dwelling demolished, except in accordance with law and in a just and humane manner. No resettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be undertaken without adequate consultation with them and the communities where they are to be relocated.”

The affected families are situated in Sitios Mabuhay, Lubi and Nangka in Barangay Luz.

“In cases of eviction and demolition pursuant to a court order involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, relocation shall be undertaken by the local government unit concerned and the National Housing Authority with the assistance of other government agencies within 45 days from service of notice of final judgment,” the letter reads.

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), through its representative, earlier told the court they have processed the necessary requirements for the relocation site of the affected residents. DWUP eyes Barangay Inayawan as the site.

The affected families filed a civil case for injunction and preliminary mandatory injunction against the homeowners associations who hold the titles for the lots in questioned.

The Sitio Nangka Homeowners Association Inc., Sitio Mabuhay Homeowners Association Inc. and Sitio Lubi Homeowners Association wanted that the affected families should pay the lot to them. (FREEMAN)