Group asks city gov’t to stop demolitions

CEBU, Philippines - The League of Urban Poor-Cebu City chapter is calling upon the Cebu City government to stop demolitions in the city amid the recent issues hounding the conduct of such activity.

The group stressed though that if the need really arises to carry out a demolition, they hope the city government would make sure that laws are being followed.  

 Rosita Blando of LUP said if the city government really wants the city’s development, proper relocation sites should be provided and the provisions of the law should be followed.

 “Kon mahimo unta (they should stop it) or kon tungod gyud sa gustong paninduton ang syudad mag prepare sila tarong nga kabalhinan dili pareha adto sa (barangay) Budlaan (which is not accessible for the residents of the city),” she said. Barangay Budlaan is one of relocation sites of the city government.

 Blando said the government should implement the provisions in Republic Act 7279 known as “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.”

 “Mag-prepare na unta sila kabalhinan kay luoy baya kaayo ang mga na-demolish nga imong makita naa ra sa daplin ang mga taw, mangabasa kon mag-uwan hasta mga bata.  Lupig pa may gibagyohan,” she said.

 Section 21 of the law states “socialized housing or resettlement areas shall be provided by the local government unit or the National Housing Authority in cooperation with the private developers and concerned agencies with the following basic services and facilities: a) potable water; b) power and electricity and an adequate power distribution system; c) sewerage facilities and an efficient and adequate solid waste disposal system; and d) access to primary roads and transportation facilities.”

 The law also states that in the execution of eviction or demolition orders involving underprivileged and homeless citizens, there should be a “notice upon the effected persons or entities at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of eviction or demolition and adequate consultations on the matter of resettlement with the duly designated representatives of the families to be resettled and the affected communities in the areas where they are to be relocated.”

 In addition, the law states that the demolition may be allowed “when government infrastructure projects with available funding are about to be implemented.”

 Blando voiced out that at present, there are some displaced residents who have not yet achieved the justice they have been asking for.

 “Nakita gyud nato nga pagka walay katarungan, walay hustisya sa mga kabos kay wala man gyud tagda sa gobyerno. Sa gobyerno nga nakalingkod naman sad sila, silay amahan sigon pa sa atong gituohan sila nay amahan sa tong syudad tumanon unta nila ang ilang obligasyon,” she said.

 She is also urges displaced families within the city to always be courageous to stand for justice.

 “Sa mga taw nga dili ta mahadlok kay naa tay katungod, ikaduha naay balaod para kanato,” she added. 

 A few weeks ago, residents of Citi Center Complex in Barangay Kamagayan, represented by their lawyer Benjamin Militar, complained that the city government did not follow the law after their houses were demolished for re-blocking.

However, the city government’s executive branch said that the residents wanted the demolition.  (FREEMAN)