Mandaue to demolish 18 houses in Centro

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government is set to demolish next week 18 houses constructed on the banks of the Centro creek in barangay Centro.

Mayor Jonas Cortes has signed the demolition order after learning that the city legal office has already sent a notice to vacate in January to the families concerned informing them that their occupancy is illegal and is contrary to the law.

However, these families who were advised to voluntarily vacate did not heed the order.

The demolition order contains the statement that Cortes is directing the city legal office, in coordination with the local police and barangay tanods of Centro, to demolish all illegal structures constructed near the creek.

However, during yesterday's press conference, city legal officer lawyer Giovanni Teneiro said that before the demolition will take place next week , the Housing and Urban Development Office (HUDO) will verify if the families are professional squatters or members of the urban poor who could either avail of the financial assistance or relocation privilege from the city government.

Teneiro said professional squatters would definitely not receive any financial assistance or relocation privilege from the city   since these families have already received financial assistance coming from the city government in the past and have continued to build houses in danger zones.

But as far Hudo chief Emmanuel Arong said these families are mostly considered professional squatters because they have already received financial assistance from the city during when the ASEAN Summit was held in Cebu province in 2006.

At the time, informal settlers living near the CICC where the summit was held were considered "eyesores" and their houses demolished by the city government but financial assistance was extended to them.

However, Arong said his office will review this case again and check the status of the families to ensure that both HUDO and the city demolition team comply with the law. 

Republic Act No.7279, otherwise known as the Urban and Housing Development Act of 1992, specifically section 28, states that "Eviction or demolition, however, may be allowed when persons or entities occupy danger zone areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, river banks, shorelines, waterways, and other public places such as sidewalks, roads, parks, and playgrounds. (FREEMAN)