Apas residents have until May 7 to vacate Lot 937

CEBU, Philippines - The residents expected to be affected by an impending demolition in Sitio San Miguel, Barangay Apas, Cebu City, have until May 7 to vacate the 4.7-hectare Lot 937 being claimed by a certain Mariano Godinez.

Members of the Archangels Residents Mergence Inc. (ARMI) said Mayor Michael Rama informed them ahead of the contents of the notice that Sheriff El Cid Caballes has yet to serve to the residents today.

The notice from the sheriff is subsequent to the Apr. 19 order of Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras that lifted the previous suspension on the execution of the writ of demolition against over 200 Apas residents occupying Lot 937.

Come May 7, Godinez's camp may proceed with the demolition.

But Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella said that they have filed a motion for reconsideration on the Apr. 19 order to insist to the court that there should not be a demolition without a relocation site ready for the residents.

Last week, the city government also wrote a letter to the Court of Appeals asking for the status quo on the demolition since its decision two years ago specifically cited the need of the local government unit to be involved in the preparation of the relocation site.

The city appealed to the CA to give them ample time to prepare for the relocation site for the residents because they cannot provide it right now.

Labella said that all of these legal ramifications done by the city government must be considered by the sheriff before he gives a go signal for the demolition.

Yesterday, Mayor Michael Rama met all City Hall lawyers to brainstorm on other legal remedies they can give the residents.

“We are seriously considering filing a motion for intervention. Among paningkamutan to explore all possible legal remedies. Wala’y labot unta ang city ani at the very outset, but since concerned man ang mga city residents, maningkamot gyud ta,” Labella said.

Labella said that the case should have been raised to the Supreme Court a long time ago.

Rama said that he ordered the legal office and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor to research the history of the lot.

“I want to know who really owns the property kay socialized housing site man kaha ni,” Rama said.

Lot 937 was declared a socialized housing site sometime between 1997 and 1999 through a city ordinance.

Earlier, DWUP Chief Collin Rosell also said that the residents have evidence that the property belongs to the Republic of the Philippines which means the property authority can file for reconveyance of the lot.

Rama also said that they might file administrative charges against the persons who failed to help the residents two years ago when the order of demolition against the residents came out.

The mayor met the residents yesterday and he asked them how they want the city to be involved in their problem.

ARMI Secretary Anne Jareiyn Martel said that they told him they want the city to acquire the lot and award it to the residents or appeal to Godinez to be generous to give the portion of the lot occupied by the residents.

Their last resort is to be relocated.

Rama also reminded the residents that the city government is coming into the picture to protect the constituents and not for political reasons contrary to the accusation of his critic and predecessor Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

Rosell said that the residents still have no official stand whether or not to accept the standing offer of the camp of Godinez for another six-month extension provided they will sign an agreement promising to voluntarily vacate the property after the grace period.

But ARMI President Ignacio Labro said that they will not sign any agreement until they are able to study the conditions on the agreement.

He said they do not want to make a compromise which will be disadvantageous to them in the end.

The residents do not even know where they will find themselves after six months. (FREEMAN)