City tears down 8 houses in Apas

Eight houses, mostly made of light materials, located on Lot 1116 at the back of a television network in barangay Apas were demolished yesterday morning for alleged failure of "actual occupants to settle their monthly amortization."

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has ordered the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division to tear down the said houses based on the recommendation of the Cebu City Local Housing Board after the occupants were found to have not paid monthly amortization for nearly seven years."

"Ang uban gud ani nila since 1999 pa wala makabayad sa ilang binuwan nga abangan," one of the residents who requested anonymity said.

However, four of the 12 families affected were spared from eviction after they hurriedly complied with the requirements of the Local Housing Board. The lot is owned by the city government and was used as a relocation site.

Maricel Ayuban, 25, with three children, said she was caught by surprise with the move of the city. "Ang ako man gu'ng bana mao'y nagsige og follow-up ani nga maka-comply mi sa mga requirements," she explained. City administrator Bimbo Fernandez yesterday explained that his office can't do a thing anymore about the demolition. "This is the outcome after we'd been convincing them for the past three years to comply with the requirements, pero wa gyud sila maghikutar, wala na mi mahimo ani." - Ramil V. Ayuman/MEEV