Squatters behind city abattoir face eviction

CEBU - More than 60 illegal structures that are locatedbeside the Mahiga Creek at the back of the Cebu City Slaughterhouse and those along the 3rd Street in North Reclamation Area are scheduled to be demolished starting next week.

Vicente Mercado, head of the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division, said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has already issued a demolition order for the more than 30 houses located at the riverbank.

Mercado said the concerned house owners were already informed about the impending demolition and were advised to voluntarily vacate the place which is considered as “danger zone.”

It was learned that as of yesterday afternoon, none of the families living beside the Mahiga Creek has complied with the advice that prompted the SPEED personnel to schedule for the demolition maybe late this month.

Mercado said the city will not provide a relocation site for the affected persons, including those who live beside the 3rd Street.

During bad weather, particularly when there is a typhoon, houses that are located beside the creeks–such as in Mahiga Creek –are giving the city officials a headache.

The City Planning and Development Office had recommended that illegal structures along the Mahiga Creek be demolished to prevent possible accidents that may cause casualties especially when floods come.

It was also learned that the structures impede the normal and natural flow of water in the creek, thereby becoming one of the main causes of flood in the coastal area.

Chief city planner Nigel Paul Villarete earlier said the structures are scattered from the area besides a private building going to the city abattoir.

The Mahiga Creek is located on the political boundary of Cebu and Mandaue cities. – Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)