5 cities cited for proper dealing with demolitions

CEBU, Philippines - Only five cities in Central Visayas are properly implementing the provisions of the Local Housing Board, according to the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

PCUP director Chloe Osano confirmed that these five cities are all located here in Cebu - namely the cities of Mandaue, Toledo, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay, and Cebu.

Osano urges other cities to implement accordingly the LHB as it is a prerequisite for the local government units to perform clearing house functions, which was previously passed through the PCUP.

However, Osano explained that because of Executive Order 708 signed last September 19, 2008, “the function of the PCUP as the clearing house for the conduct of demolition and eviction activities involving homeless and underprivileged citizens are now given to the LGUs which have territorial jurisdiction over the proposed demolition and eviction activities.”

Osano said though that despite the change, they will still be monitoring the activities and will be part of the LHB even if they do not have the responsibility anymore to issue clearances.

Lawyer Francisco Amit, Urban Poor Affairs officer of Mandaue City, said that he has some “holdbacks on the executive order because of the flow of the clearances where these will pass through.”

According to Amit, check and balance would be difficult to achieve since those who would be filing for proposals would also be part of those who would approve them.

But Osano clarified that based on the order, a representative from the PCUP will still be part of the Local Housing Board as well as a representative of an accredited people’s organization operating in the city and the chairperson of the committee on housing and urban development of the Sanggunian.

They will be together with the city mayor, the city planning and development coordinator, city engineer and a non-government organization operating in the city.

The Board will have to monitor all evictions and demolitions whether voluntary or extrajudicial and require the proponent of the eviction to secure a checklist, guidelines, and eviction and demolition compliance certificate prior to the actual implementation.

These include consultations with the families which will be affected and the availability of adequate resettlement/relocation site.

“Para ni protektahan ang urban poor ug malinawon kung naa may demolition nga mahitabo,” Osano said.

Romel Cabriana, the designated executive director for urban poor in Toledo, said that though he shared in the same apprehensions with Amit regarding the order, he sees enough safety ways to ensure the flow of the LHB.

Cabriana said that so far, there have been no demolitions made in Toledo City but since it is a growing city, they are seeing it as a safety precaution to avoid disputes. — AJ dela Torre/MEEV      (THE FREEMAN)