DPWH starts demolition of houses near Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - Joint personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the City Hall Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division yesterday started the demolition of the houses along the Don Gil Garcia Street to give way to the road-widening project in the area.

DPWH Cebu City district engineer Nicomedes Leonor said some of the 78 homeowners affected by the widening have requested to defer the demolition until after Christmas but he turned down the plea.

“Naa unta’y mihangyo nga liwas na lang kuno sa pasko pero wala na ko mosugot kay sigurado nga human sa pasko, moingon na usab nga lapas na lang sa bag-ong tuig, dayon Sinulog na pud. Wala na g’yuy katapusan,” Leonor said.

There was no resistance from the residents when the joint team of the DPWH and SPEED personnel started dismantling their houses.

Leonor explained that they have previously agreed with the residents that the clearing operation will follow immediately after the pouring of cement at the Don Gil Garcia St. to give way to the widening.

The DPWH-Central Office has allocated P28 million for the completion of the widening of M. Velez Street from the bridge to the end portion near the Provincial Capitol building and Don Gil Garcia Street.

The DPWH distributed P17,000 to the house owners as disturbance fees because the lot they are occupying is owned by the government. (FREEMAN)