Apas asks Davide’s intervention on informal settlers

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Apas officials sought Capitol’s intervention on the growing problem of informal settlers on a Province-owned socialized housing site in their barangay.

They visited Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday to raise their concern.

Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said informal settlers on a 32-hectare lot declared as a socialized housing site under Presidential Proclamation 409 claimed that they own the property.

The Federation of Barangay Apas Homeowners and Residents Inc. (FBAHRI) offered to help secure the site and this was stipulated in a memorandum of agreement  signed between the association and the Provincial Government.

However, this did not stop the increase of informal settlers staying in the property.

Presently, there are over 1,200 identified beneficiaries of the socialized housing site.

Ayuman said Davide assured to look into the matter and will soon visit the area.

Also during the meeting, Ayuman said they raised their concerns on the 93-1 issue but told the governor that they will discuss the matter further some other day.

Ayuman also informed Davide that the construction of a Day Care Center in the barangay has been stalled because of the opposition raised by Mahayahay Homeowners Association Inc. (MAHAI) so that they can keep the sitio’s multi-purpose stage.

MARAI filed a civil case for certiorari and injunction in relation to the matter.

Last May, then acting Gov. Agnes Magpale wrote to Ayuman asking him to stop the demolition of the stage which is located in a Province-owned property.

Yesterday, Davide said that since there is a case filed, they have to wait for the ruling of the court. — (FREEMAN)