Rama, Dizon clash anew over demolition

CEBU, Philippines - A new conflict erupted between Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Alvin Dizon over the recent demolition in Barangay Mabolo that left several families leaving along the Mahiga creek homeless.

Rama did not like Dizon’s visiting the families affected by the demolition. The Mayor questioned which side Dizon was.

“What is he performing? Is he part of the government or the other side?” Rama asked.

Dizon criticized Rama in return for allegedly failing to respect the basic human rights of the affected families to have a decent shelter.

“Even if I’m part of the government, I have the right to criticize an act of a co-public official especially if the act deviates the generally accepted principle of human rights and social justice,” Dizon, who chairs the City Council’s committee on housing, said.

“Where is social justice when a government action defeats the basic human rights of its people to have decent house. Urban poor settler cannot simply be removed from their makeshifts in the guise of development and promotion of general welfare,” Dizon added.

The affected families did not oppose the demolition but wanted relocation and financial assistance before any demolition is done. Some of the affected families also requested that they be allowed to stay in the area beyond the 2.5-meter easement zone.

During his visit to the affected families at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, Dizon said that the government is morally and legally obliged to respond to the people’s needs especially on the decent shelter.

Dizon, who came from the ranks of the urban poor before becoming councilor, earlier pointed out that under the Urban Development and Housing Act or Republic Act 7279, adequate relocation, whether temporary or permanent, must be provided.

Rama reminded Dizon that it was not an easy decision on his part to clear the houses along the creek. He admitted having hurt for doing it but said he is left with no choice.

As the local chief executive, Rama said, he needs to implement the law.

“Wala man ta magpiyong niana. Nagtuo mo nga wala ta masakitan niana? Nasakitan ta uy,” Rama said. (FREEMAN)