CEBU, Philippines - The operations head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council said he has lost his respect for Councilor Alvin Dizon and will no longer call him “honorable” for criticizing him without getting his side.
Alvin Santillana was asked by the Cebu City Council to submit his formal explanation regarding the allegations of the former “Mahiga Creek residents” that he verbally maltreated them.
“Dili ko under sa City Council, dili ko nila mapugos paghatag og explanation,(I am not under the city council. They cannot force me to explain.)” the angry Santillana said when he called up The FREEMAN.
But when he was told that Mayor Michael Rama encouraged him to answer the allegation, Santillana quickly changed his mind.
“Aw sigi, tubagon ko nang ilang pasangil nga butang-butang ra nako, (I will answer the allegations against me.)” Santillana said.
According to Santillana, it is not true that he uttered bad words when he went to Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) last June 15 and asked them to leave the area as ordered by the mayor.
During the session of the City Council last Wednesday, Councilor Dizon said Santillana allegedly told the former Mahiga Creek residents that they are not fit to stay in the city saying, “Wala moy angay mamuyo sa siyudad. Maayo ninyo mouli mo sa bukid, mananom og kamote ug saging, ug mananggot sa lubi. Ayaw ninyo huwata nga arion pa kamo og heavy equipment para maoy moguba sa inyong mga tents. (You are not fit to live in the city. You better go home to the mountains, plant camote and bananas and gather tuba. Don’t wait for heavy equipment to destroy your tents.)”
According to Dizon, Santillana again issued another statement when he was interviewed by reporters on July 9 that he will cut the water and power source that the city gave to the concerned residents for free.
Reacting to Santillana’s denial, Dizon said. “Mas credible og katoohan ang taga Mahiga kay kang Santillana. (The Mahiga residents are more credible and believable compared to Santillana.) They even wrote a letter to the mayor condemning the anti-poor statements of Alvin Santillana.”
Rama for his part said the allegation needs to be investigated that is why he encouraged Santillana to answer the charges.
The dwellings of more than 30 families within the three-meter easement zone of Mahiga Creek were destroyed last year upon the order of the mayor as the structures contribute to the flooding problem in the area.
That is why they are allowed to temporarily stay at Block 27 since last year, but now Rama wants them to vacate the area and transfer them to the city’s relocation site in Barangay Budlaan. (FREEMAN)