Rama allows urban poor families to stay at NRA lot

CEBU, Philippines - A group of urban poor families living on a city-owned lot at the North Reclamation Area yesterday trooped to City Hall to personally request Mayor Michael Rama to stop the scheduled demolition of their dwellings.

About 30 persons who have already been served with notices of demolition from the Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division appealed that they be allowed to continue to stay in the place.

Rama told them that they can continue to occupy the place near the Cebu City Abattoir for as long as there is no complaint against them.

Their houses are situated near the Mahiga Creek but are already beyond the three meter easement zone.

Rama said he will also verify who signed the demolition order because he allegedly did not sign it.

The urban poor families wished that Rama will allow them to stay in the area permanently. The Mayor however said he can only allow them as long as the city will not use the lot for public purpose and no complaints are filed against them.

Meanwhile, Rama yesterday visited the residents living near the creek in Sitio Lahing-lahing, Barangay Mabolo. The Mayor asked the residents to cooperate with the city’s dredging project to prevent floods.

A few weeks ago, 32 houses of urban poor families constructed beside the Mahiga Creek were demolished by the City Hall to give way to the ongoing dredging project of the city. –(FREEMAN)