56 families in NRA face eviction today

CEBU, Philippines - At least 56 families are facing eviction from the private lot that they occupy in the North Reclamation Area today after the 10-day notice that the court has given them lapsed yesterday.

The affected families were ordered to vacate Lot. 18, Block 15 along J. De Veyra Street in NRA pursuant to the writ of demolition issued by the court.

The families refused to remove the structures they built in the property while they asked Mayor Michael Rama to help them seek extension until summer next year.

“Mangayo unta mi’g tabang nimo Mayor aron makapangayo mi’g extension. Kay daghan mig mga bata nga nagskwela unya maapektuhan ang klase,” Lea Torno, one of the affected families said.

The families chanced upon Rama at the city hall yesterday and the mayor told them to go to the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor for help.

Rama instructed the DWUP to see what the city can do legally.

The lot they occupy covers about 700 square meters and owned by a certain Do-mingo Garcia.

The residents said they have been living in the area for 15 years. Some of them admitted that they are from Minda-nao who transferred to Cebu to seek greener pasture.

The residents built shanties because the lot was open and they thought the owner is no longer interested in it as it was not guarded.

Garcia filed an eviction case against the 56 families and the court ruled in his favor in 2009.

In the writ of demolition, the court said the families were given ample time to vacate the premises, but the families did not heed the court order.

Sheriff Eugenio Fuentes issued a notice to vacate pursuant to the writ of demolition within 10 days to the families last October 23. The 10 days expired yesterday.

The demolition team is expected to demolish the structures and other improvements erected in the area today.

The residents are asking for more time and a relocation site from the city government.

Meanwhile, Rama said he will look into the request for an extension of the 32 families occupying the city-owned lot, a former plant nursery, in the NRA.

The city government wants the former nursery back to make it available for use.  — (FREEMAN)