Pier demolition sends 57 families homeless

At least 57 families were rendered homeless when a team from the Cebu Port Authority demolished illegal structures near the Lorenzo Shipping container yard in Pier 5 yesterday morning.

Gerry Marquez, the City Hall urban poor consultant, said they have already cleared the port area of 90 percent of the shanties. The CPA started its clearing operation before the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in January.

The affected families, some of whom were living in the area for the past 30 years, offered no resistance during the demolition.

Marquez, however, said each of the 57 families have accepted the P20,000 financial assistance given to them by the CPA. "Lipay ta nga nisanong sila sa hangyo sa CPA kay nidawat man sila og P20,000 financial assistance."

Marquez said the demolished 57 shanties were part of the 129 illegal structures set for demolition this week along the First Avenue in Pier 5.

"Ang among problem next para malimpyo na g'yud ang pantalan mao ang Pier 4 diin dunay mga dagkong ticketing ug booking office. The CPA is trying to negotiate with the management," Marquez said.

Trinidad Ramos, a resident in Pier 5 for the past 30 years, said they would not go back to province. "Mangita lang mi og kaabangan kay kon mobalik mi sa probinsiya dili gyud mi mabuhi didto."

Yesterday's demolition followed last week's demolition of at least 11 illegal structures in Pier 4 by the CPA.

Early this year, the CPA and the city government had demolished about 356 illegal structures at the port area and gave P20,000 financial assistance to each of the affected families.

The CPA also confiscated at least 250 trisikads and gave operators and drivers P7,000 each. Marquez said they have already given P9.9 million as financial aid to those affected by the demolition at the pier area. - Ramil Ayuman/LPM