Settlers seek city's help to stop demolition

CEBU, Philippines - Thirty-eight residents of Barangay Talamban whose houses are constructed in a private lot and are set to be demolished on Apr. 12 are now asking the help of City Hall officials to stop the impending court-ordered demolition.

Sheriff Joshua Baclayon of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 had already sent notices of demolition to the illegal occupants of the lot owned by M & E Family Realty Development Inc. and Manuel Ting situated in Sitio Tintay, Talamban.

The court records showed that MTCC Judge Anatalio Necesario has already ruled against the concerned residents after the lot owners filed an ejectment case that prompted the sheriff to implement the writ of demolition.

In his notice, Baclayon said he will be forced to demolish the houses of the concerned residents if they will not vacate the lot by Apr. 12. The affected residents then went to seek the help of Councilor Alvin Dizon.

Dizon, chairman of the Cebu City Council’s Committee on Housing, brought up the matter during their session last Wednesday, but the city legislators decided to refer the matter to Mayor Michael Rama for appropriate action.

The court also furnished copies of the notice of demolition to the offices of the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor, National Housing Authority and to the barangay captain of Talamban, Jesus Remedio Jr., for possible assistance to the concerned families.

The City Hall officials did not assure that the city can provide relocation sites for those affected families, particularly because the demolition is ordered by the court.

Mayor Michael Rama is still in Yokohama City, Japan, and could not be reached for comment about the matter.

City Hall has allocated P10,000 to be given to each family that will be affected in government clearing operations, but these families are not eligible for the program. (FREEMAN)