Party-list reps want Capitol's demolition plan investigated

Two party-list representatives has filed a resolution requesting the House Committees on Housing and Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation to jointly investigate the plan of the Cebu Province to demolish an entire housing community in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Anakpawis party-list Reps. Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano recently filed House Resolution 862 directing the two committees to jointly investigate, in aid of legislation, the plan of the local government of Cebu to demolish an entire housing community in barangay Lahug reportedly to give way to Cebu 2010 or the Cebu Integrated Area Development Master Plan as the city has allegedly provided neither thorough consultations with the affected residents nor offered any alternative.

According to the resolution, more than 600 settlers on lots in Sudlon are being forced out of their houses by Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, brother of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Byron reportedly presented a letter stating that in due time, the local government unit "will be constructing a fence around the area."

The demolition plan, in reshaping the local zoning and land use plans, is a classic example of a development perspective that attacks the rights of the poor and the downtrodden, the resolution read. -Ferliza C. Contratista