We must be guardians and advocates of people's rights

The Cebu City government, in our aim to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its inhabitants, is undertaking a dredging and clearing project along major creeks and riverbanks. The unexpected flooding a few weeks ago has shown us the urgent need to undertake disaster risk reduction measures to prevent the loss of life and property. Hence, I applaud and support the Office of the Mayor for prioritizing this activity.

 While I support the necessity of this undertaking, I also believe that the city must ensure that the clearing and demolition of families living in creeks and riverbanks follow the requirements laid down in the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA).

While this is urgent, we must not compromise the right of the people for a just and humane demolition. This can only be done when we strictly follow UDHA requirements such as sending of notices prior to the demolition, conduct adequate consultation with affected families, provide adequate relocation whether temporary or permanent, and to provide financial assistance when relocation is not possible.

A Supreme Court ruling clarified that even owners of structures designated as nuisance per se or setters in danger zones deserve notice prior to demolition. The Commission on Human Rights also maintained that the minimum standard of due process and human rights must be followed.

I believe that the provision of financial assistance and adequate relocation will not encourage more people to come here in the city and a waste of tax payers money. Rather, this is a concrete example of the city’s commitment to ensure the welfare of its constituents. These people have been living in this city for more than 10 years and contribute significantly to our economy as workers, laborers, and small entrepreneurs. The financial assistance, no matter how small the amount, will help these families start their lives anew.

Moreover, there is an urgent need for the city to undertake the full development of relocation sites, in partnership with housing agencies or the private sector, as a long term solution for the city’s informal settlers. Even if they are technically illegal settlers, they still have the right to adequate relocation accorded to them under the law. Even hardened criminals are entitled to certain rights, so there’s no reason why these informal settlers cannot enjoy the rights afforded to them under the law. But we do not tolerate and encourage illegal construction of structures by these informal settlers.

Studies have shown that security of land tenure is an important component of poverty alleviation programs. If we want the poor to be productive partners of development, we must provide them a decent home free from any threat of eviction or demolition. We must start being proactive not reactive in addressing their concerns.

We are all here today in this very hall because the people especially the poor have given us the mandate. They have entrusted to us their sacred vote with the expectation that we will be the guardians and advocates of their rights. Rights are only what they have. To deprive them of these is to deprive their humanity.

The urban poor, despite their poverty, are assets and not problems of this city, especially when we are able to harness them properly. The urban poor are resource and not liability. The urban poor communities are people and not only places.

So I humbly urge Mayor Rama, the Executive department and the City Council that in our vision for a livable and sustainable Cebu City, we should always include the people in decision-making and ensure that their rights and welfare are protected and promoted. Because only with people’s genuine participation can “we make things happen”.