Mandaue starts demolition of Mahiga settlers

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government has started the demolition of 130 houses situated within the three-meter easement zone of the Mahiga Creek.

The Mandaue City demolition team started tearing down the illegal structures yesterday afternoon and is expected to continue the demolition today. So far, 10 of the 130 houses subject of the demolition order issued by Mayor Jonas Cortes have been destroyed yesterday.

Members of the demolition team failed to start the demolition early because of the human barricade set up by the affected residents. The demolition team had to request the assistance of the police, fire department and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation to break the human barricade.

Cynthia Suico of the Housing and Urban Development Office said that at least 26 of the affected families have already availed of the financial assistance offered by the city government. The rest of them opted to be relocated.

Suico said that those who availed of the relocation site will be transferred at the 6.5-hectare property in Barangay Paknaan. Those who availed of the financial assistance can now get their check from the city treasurer’s office. —(FREEMAN)