City demolishes 7 houses in Lahug

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED) yesterday demolished at least seven houses that were constructed without permission at the city-owned lot in sitio La Guerta, Barangay Lahug.

SPEED chief Vicente Mercado said the city legal office headed by Joseph Bernaldez had endorsed the move of the Local Housing Board to demolish the illegally constructed houses on Lot 1337. Mayor Tomas Osmeña had approved the endorsement.

Mercado said the demolished houses, which were made of light materials, were those of Elena Saraga, Rosila Codera, Peter Ocon, Juliet Godinez, Benjamin Cometa, Rogelio Palas and Evangeline Florida, who admitted that they have no permission from the City Hall to build their houses in the area.

“Maluoy g’yod unta mi nga moguba sa ilang mga balay pero wala g’yod mahimo kay igo ra man tawon mi nga mituman sa mando gikan sa City Hall,” said Mercado.

There is no assurance yet that those affected families would be provided with relocation site.

City Hall had purchased several lots in different barangays of the city during the administration of then Mayor Alvin Garcia.

But those lots are not fit for human settlement because of the absence of basic services like water, power and roads.

Meanwhile, the City Hall’s local housing board is reviewing the case of other informal settlers at the city-owned Sugbo Homes in Barangay Busay.

Since those houses were illegally constructed in the area, the city may also demolish them. Last year, Osmeña approved the demolition of illegally constructed houses at the Sugbo Homes.

The demolition did not push through, however, because of the request of the affected families. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM            (FREEMAN NEWS)