APAS demolition: Lot owner offers cash for residents to leave

CEBU, Philippines - The owner of the lot occupied by the members of Archangels Residents Mergence Inc. (ARMI) in Barangay Apas has offered P17 million as financial assistance to the 168 families if they will vacate the contested property.

The offer was made yesterday by Atty. Roberto Palmares, counsel of lot owner Mariano Godinez, as the City Hall lawyers were called by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to brainstorm on what other legal remedies they could possibly help the residents whose houses might be demolished anytime soon after the court lifted the suspension of the demolition order.

The offer for financial assistance was made on top of the existing offer from Palmares to give the occupants a six-month extension on condition that they will voluntarily vacate the property after the period given.

The residents have already turned down the six months extension. ARMI secretary Anne Jareiyn Martel said that the initial decision of the residents is to decline the offer.

“Dili mi modawat kay the same ra gihapon ang implication ana nga ipa-vacate mi (we will not accept the offer because it is intended for us to vacate out place),” Martel said.

Martel however said that they have yet to make a stand on the recent offer for financial assistance. According to Martel, they will discuss the offer and get the consensus of the majority.

Palmares said his client is willing to give as much as P17 million in financial assistance for the affected families provided that they will voluntarily vacate the place. He is also asking the city government to advance the amount.

Rama said the city government is willing to give even P20 million provided that the residents will be allowed to stay.

Rama advised Palmares to directly talk to the residents because they were the ones directly affected and not the city.

“I wish that matter adto na isulti sa mga tagtungod (….will be discussed directly with the affected residents),” Rama said.

Rama said that his office is always open if the residents want to discuss the proposal.

He said that his office is willing to serve both parties if they would choose his office as a venue for discussion and negotiation.

“My office is open all the time. Basta klaro lang ang mga parameters nga dili nila gamiton akong opisina para mag-away (…as long as the parameters are clear that they will not use my office to quarrel),” Rama added.

The city government has interceded in behalf of the affected residents. Because of the volatile situation, Rama yesterday called all city hall lawyers to brainstorm on what other legal remedies the city can do to help 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,” City Councilor Edgardo Labella said.

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 1997 to 1999 through a city ordinance.

Rama also said that they might file administrative charges against 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 where he asked them how they want the city to be involved in their problem.

Martel said that they told the Mayor that 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 to Laguerta in Lahug.

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 South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña. – (FREEMAN)