CEBU, Philippines - The rights of the urban poor to have a decent shelter and the request to declare the Lorega public cemetery as a historical site are not mutually exclusive of one another, said Councilor Alvin Dizon.
Kamansi Lawis San Roque Pahantom Association (Kalapasa) seeks for the suspension of the proposed socialized housing project in the 9,000 square meters of the Lorega cemetery and wants it be declared by the city government as historical site.
Dizon, chairman of the City Council’s committee on housing and the urban poor, said Kalapasa wants the city government to choose between the two.
“Pwede ra man mo-exist together ang socialized housing medium rise building and the historical landmark,” Dizons said.
Kalapasa president Patricio Georgua has expressed his opposition to the planned closure of the cemetery to pave way for the construction of the three-storey building with residential units.
Georgua pointed out that the cemetery is intended for the dead and not for the socialized housing.
The cemetery was established in 1936 before the World War II.
But even before that, the site was already the graveyard of the oldest cadaver buried in 1912 and it has been a home not only to the dead but also to the living as early as 1970s.
Georgua said that it is proper and fitting for the city government to install historical landmark citing there are also revolutionary leaders and prominent personalities buried in the area.
Dizon said that the construction could not be stopped considering that the funds for the project is already available and the Gawad Kalinga is already set to implement the project.
The proposed socialized housing project is being funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund of former north district Rep. Raul del Mar amounting to more than P10 million and funds from non-government organizations amounting to P3 million.
There are at least 500 families and 329 illegal structures built inside the cemetery.There are 362 tombs that will be demolished and a bone chamber will be built within the area where the bones will be kept.
In 2000, members of the United Cemetery Side Residence Association Inc. have already asked DWUP to declare a portion of the cemetery as a socialized housing site.
Initially, a four-story building for the informal settlers was proposed. (FREEMAN)