Doña Pepang settlers ordered to leave

CEBU, Philippines — Owners of illegal structures, including at least 30 families of informal settlers, at the Doña Pepang Cemetery in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City are given 10 days to vacate the place to give way to the development in the area.

Members of the Parks and Beautification (PROBE) are set to start clearing the area from illegal structures on April 4, 2023.

Ramil Ayuman, special assistant to the mayor, who was tasked to oversee the development of Doña Pepang Cemetery into a heritage park, said that notices had been sent out to the occupants.

Occupants are given an ultimatum to vacate the place and get all their personal belongings before the scheduled clearing operation on April 4.

According to Ayuman, the city’s Division of the Urban Poor-Urban Development Housing is expected to take actions regarding the more than 30 houses occupied by informal settlers since they need proper relocation.

After the deadline, clearing of the close-to-a-hectare cemetery will proceed to give way to the restoration and renovation works.

Ayuman said he will request Mayor Michael Rama to assign security personnel in the area after the clearing operations to prevent informal settlers from coming back and rebuilding their structures.

He said that some of the structures that are up for clearing were already subject of the demolition last year but returned after no progress had been made on the project because they were still waiting for the design to be approved.

"Nagready nami nga butangan na na siya’g sin, para dili na siya masudlan and maparkingan unya magrequest mi’g blue guard ni mayor para ma-assign didto para wala nay makasud," said Ayuman.

Recently, Rama approved the design of the heritage park and gave Ayuman until June 12 to complete the renovation and restoration of the cemetery.

Converting the old cemetery into a heritage park was conceptualized by Rama when he first won as city mayor. The plan did not materialize then after it was met with vehement opposition. He also lost to Tomas Osmeña in the 2016 political derby.

Giving importance to the city's heritage, including some of the old cemeteries, is part of Rama's priorities. Rama believes that giving importance to the dead that made valuable contributions to the city will give the people better understanding of the history of Cebu City.

Clearing and beautifying old and abandoned cemeteries are also a way to eradicate illegal activities and squatting.

Earlier, members of the demolition team found several illegal items from the illegal structures in the area. Among the items found were drug paraphernalia. (FREEMAN)