Evicted settlers promised aid

CEBU, Philippines - Following complaints from evicted settlers of an alleged “inhumane” demolition in Sitio Tagunol, Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama promised to give financial support to the affected families.

The settlers complained they were not given proper notice and a relocation site.

Rama said that before the demolition the affected residents were supposed to be informed of what was to happen. Following floods which hit seven sitios there last July, Rama said that the demolition was necessary to prevent further danger to affected residents.

The Cebu City Squatters Prevention, Elimination and Encroachment Division head, Neol Artes said the affected residents were given enough time to vacate the area since the release of the notice to demolish last year.

In fact, Artes said the city government assisted over 30 of the original 60 residents to return to their respective provinces through the balik probinsya program while others opted to voluntarily dismantle their houses.

But to his dismay, Artes later discovered in a recent survey that around 31 residents returned to the area and rebuilt their houses.

Clearing operations conducted by SPEED were stopped due to bad weather conditions these past days.

Artes urged remaining illegal settlers to immediately vacate the area to prevent untoward incidents especially as it is now the rainy season. 

Meanwhile, Barangay Basak Pardo captain, Dave Tumulak said they have indeed received complaints from some of the affected settlers regarding the demolition.

But as far as the barangay is concerned, they have been constantly supporting the affected settlers in providing them aid and time to prepare for the demolition.

The barangay council earlier released a resolution asking the city to provide a decent relocation site which was later approved.

Unfortunately, affected settlers choose not to accept the city’s assistance.

Cebu City South District Representative Tomas Osmeña, however, promised affected settlers P5,000 as financial assistance through the efforts of the barangay.

According to Tumulak, the clearing of the Tagunol River will surely decrease floods in seven affected sitios in his barangay, adding that the barangay has served as a water catchment area. (FREEMAN)