Rama still not keen on aid to Mahiga settlers

CEBU, Philippines - With less people in the Cebu City Housing Board who stood to insist that Mahiga Creek settlers be given financial assistance, Councilor Alvin Dizon and others who support his position went home empty-handed yesterday.

During the meeting of the board yesterday afternoon, Dizon and some members of non-government organizations failed to convince Mayor Michael Rama to provide financial assistance to the families affected by the clearing of the creeks and rivers in the city.

Dizon said that the mayor insisted that the city is not obligated to give financial assistance because the structures built are nuisance per se which do not even need a court order to dismantle.

The city government shall continue clearing Mahiga Creek of structures built in the banks and within the three-meter easement area.

Dizon, supported by the rest of the members of the city council, called on Mayor Rama to provide financial assistance because the residents have nowhere to go and are financially incapable.

Dizon insisted that to provide financial assistance is mandated by the law and is the responsibility of the city government.

But he said that the mayor did not waver in his decision not to provide financial assistance to the affected families.

“Instead, he wants the private sectors to provide financial assistance. He agreed however to provide a temporary shelter to the residents until the DWUP is able to relocate them in the city’s vacant relocation sites,” Dizon said.

The Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division and other offices concerned shall look for the temporary shelter.

The city shall continue the clearing of houses along the creek so the dredging of the river will be able to commence before the onset of the rainy season.

“But if the Mahiga settlers believe that they deserve more under the law, then it’s their call to question the decision of the mayor before the courts,” Dizon said.

DWUP Chief and lawyer Collin Rosell said that the mayor instructed him to conduct an inventory of all the resources of his office which the city may be able to provide to the Mahiga settlers and other residents who will be affected by the clearing of rivers and creeks.

He assured that legitimate beneficiaries will be accommodated in the city’s relocation sites.

As a lawyer though, he said that the Mahiga settlers are illegal settlers and not covered by the Urban Development Housing Act because most of them resided in the area 16 years ago which is after the UDHA law was passed in 1992.

“The request for financial assistance therefore is just an appeal to the heart. In DWUP, we promise to work hard to identify all the available resources that we can give to them,” Rosell said

Meanwhile, Rama denied that his order to clear Mahiga Creek of illegal structures was done because of the request of SM Prime Holdings Corp., owner of SM City Cebu in the North Reclamation Area.

The mayor said his order to clear the creek of any obstacles that obstruct the smooth flow of water is because of the recent flooding in some portions of the North Reclamation Area which following flooding after heavy downpour a few months ago.

There was speculation that Rama’s order to clear the creek of illegal structures that include dwellings of urban poor families was because of a letter made by Henry Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings Corp.

In a letter to Cebu City Hall last year, Sy said his company paid P50 million in advance tax payment for real property of the mall, but on condition that it will be spent for the improvement of roads surrounding his property and for the rehabilitation of the Mahiga Creek adjacent to the mall.

According to Rama the clearing of creeks of obstacles, including the three-meter easement from the riverbank, will be implemented in all creeks and rivers in the city from Mabolo in the north and to barangay Bulacao in the south.

He also reiterated that the illegal structures that are owned by the businessmen shall be included in the demolition, although it will be done one after another.

“Wala man ko mag-ingon nga hudton g’yud nako pagpangguba ang mga illegal structures sa kasapaan atol sa unang tulo ka tuig sa akong termino apan maayo na lang kay ato na man nga nasugdan,” the mayor said.

Councilor Edgardo Labella said he supports Rama’s intention to clear the esteros and waterways of illegal structures, including the houses of urban poor families, but said the affected families should be given financial assistance. (FREEMAN)