City looks into B. Rodriguez lot issue

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Hall has finally dipped its finger into another looming demolition that is expected to affect at least 300 households along B. Rodriguez St., Barangay Sambag 2.

Pursuant to the instructions of Acting Mayor Michael Rama and City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, the City Attorney’s Office has assigned lawyer Milagros Cabatingan to study the case between the Department of Health/Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (formerly Southern Islands Hospital) and the claimants of the lot, the Rallos heirs.

Cabatingan will work hand in hand with the members of Bidlisiw-Mansanitas Neighborhood Association (BIDMANA), who live adjacent to the hospital.

BIDMANA members went to Rama and Fernandez recently after they were served notices to vacate by the Rallos family.

“We want to know whether the title is already issued, resolved already in the name of the Ralloses and know from there what the city can do,” Fernandez said.

According to him, the city can use the general welfare clause to protect the almost 5,000 residents.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who is still on leave, recently said that the issue is a matter that he might have to refer to the Office of the President for assistance.

Sambag 2 barangay councilman Aurelio Jagmoc, who heads the Committee on Social Services, said the barangay and leaders of BIDMANA have been regularly meeting after majority of the residents received a notice to vacate the lot owner.

The Rallos family claims to have won a court ruling that lots 482-A and 473-A, which are under the name of the DOH, belong to them.

Jagmoc however said they are still to see a copy of the court ruling.

Last May, around 50 percent of the occupants received notices to vacate from the Ralloses that made them surprised considering that they were not informed of any resolution from the court.

Jagmoc said the city’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor has already made a socio-economic survey on some of them, a tool that the city can use for future action.

In the 1960s Southern Islands Hospital allowed its workers to build their houses in the area for convenience.

Most of the present residents of the area are descendants of the hospital workers. — Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)