DILG starts probe on relocation of settlers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered an investigation on whether Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama complied with the memorandum circular requiring local government units to provide relocations to affected families when he ordered the demolition of houses near the Mahiga Creek.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said he was informed by lawyer Angel Ojastro of the office of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo that the latter ordered DILG 7 Director Pedro Noval to conduct the investigation.

Dizon said the law provides that the government should provide adequate consultation and relocation for settlers before any eviction or demolition is carried out.

The DILG Central Office ordered Noval to stop the demolition of houses if found that Rama failed to comply with the provisions of the law.

But of the 35 houses subject of the demolition order, only one house, owned by Antonio Ycot Sr., remains standing because of his poor health condition.

Rama said the City had offered the occupants a relocation site in barangay San Jose, a barangay adjacent to Talamban, but none of them showed intention to accept the offer.

The families whose houses were demolished are still occupying shanties on the same locations and are requesting the City Government to allow them to continue occupying the place.

The mayor said it was not an easy decision to enforce the demolition.

Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said it seems that Rama no longer cares for the urban poor families that voted for him in the last elections.

But Osmeña said he will not ask Rama to leave the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) even if he already lost trust and confidence on the mayor.

Osmeña reminded Rama that majority of the 80 barangay officials in Cebu City are no longer supporting him. Osmeña also said that Rama is free to run for any elective post in 2013 but Rama will no longer have his support.

Rama insisted there is no reason for him to quit BOPK because he did not commit graft and corruption during his 18 years as councilor and vice mayor, adding that he will continue to follow the policy of their political organization.

Osmeña admitted that he issued the demolition order in 2008 to destroy the houses of 32 families along the Mahiga Creek, but he gave in to their demand to suspend the demolition with the absence of a relocation site. – (FREEMAN)