Capitol allays people's fears: City studies ways to help Apas folk

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government is bent on helping families in barangay Apas that would be affected by the return of the property occupied by Camp Lapu-Lapu to the Province of Cebu.

Capitol has, however, assured residents that they would not just be sent away from the place without relocation.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called an emergency meeting yesterday with key City Hall officials and barangay Apas representatives in order to map out strategies against the looming dislocation of residents.

Present were City Attorney’s Officer in charge Atty. Joseph Bernaldez, City Administrator Francisco Fernandez and Apas barangay councilor Alan Majait.

Also present was Ma. Linda Paracueles, head of the Alliance of Barangay Apas Community Association (ABACA).

“We will be supportive, we are talking about fighting it out and even if it will reach litigation,” Rama said.

Primarily, Rama tasked Bernaldez to assign one lawyer that will get hold and review immediately the signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Provincial Government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the transfer of the Central Command headquarters to the Mactan Benito Ebuen in Lapu-Lapu City.

The transfer would affect seven sitios of the barangay surrounding the military camp.

“Of course we are involved because number one these are residents of Cebu City and the properties concerned are located within Cebu City, under parens patrea,” Rama said.

He said once they will have studied the MOA, they can now make their strategies invoking the general welfare clause for the use of police power.

“An LGU should be the protector. If the one creating trouble is the LGU, it is understandable that people will feel oppressed,” Rama said.

He said the signing of the MOA had developed fear, concern and unrest among the 1,200 households or roughly 5,000 individuals.

Majait said, although there has been no word from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for them to be dislocated, but her actions speak otherwise.

“Lately lang ang uban namo gipaadto na sa Minglanilla para mutan-aw sa relocation site, nya naa nay taga probinsya nga nagsukod-sukod na didto, so mahiluna ka ana,” Majait said on behalf of barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman.

He said that the Apas barangay council passed a resolution calling for the full implementation of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 as well as the onsite development for those covered under Presidential Proclamation 409.

Cebu City Mayor on leave Tomas Osmeña vowed not to leave the residents behind and to research for the implementation of the Presidential Proclamation.

Capitol Allays Fears

The Provincial Government yesterday assured that the Capitol is also thinking of the plight of the families living within its 80-hectare property in barangay Apas.

“Continue pa man ang negotiations with Barangay Apas. In fact, duna tay scheduled meeting with the president of Abaca. We even had a meeting with them about two weeks ago, and the governor was there,” said Provincial Attorney Martino Martinquilla.

The province and the AFP through Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the other day, signed a memorandum of agreement for Centcom’s transfer.

It was not stipulated in the agreement as to what use the Capitol has in mind with its property once vacated, and if the Abaca members would also be relocated.

Martinquilla said that “the governor has committed and promised that there should be a negotiation with Abaca” before any talks of relocation be made.

“Duna gyuy giandam ang governor, duna gyuy on going negotiations with Abaca through its president, but as of now, di pa katan-aw og relocation or whatever,” he said.

“Those fears (of not being relocated) are unfounded kay ang gobernador pa man gyuy nangunay, with the committee she created di gusto ang gobernador nga naay mapwerhesyo. It’s our priority nga i-negotiate ang mga occupants, now with the MOA with Centcom has been signed,” he added. –/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)