7 houses in city lot demolished

CEBU, Philippines - Tension rose at the former City Agriculture Department plant nursery in the North Reclamation Area as members of the city’s anti-squatting team started dismantling the structures erected by informal settlers.

Members of the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement managed to dismantle seven houses, but were interrupted when residents stormed to City Hall to complain to Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama ordered the clearing suspended until the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor is able to conduct a socio-economic survey and accommodate those who are eligible or fall under the category of “homeless and underprivileged” in the city’s relocation site.

DWUP chief Collin Rosell said the socio-economic survey will not take long. Within the week, they will be able to identify those who qualify as urban poor beneficiaries who may be relocated to La Guerta in Barangay Lahug.

Rosell said the La Guerta relocation site has 200 available slots. DWUP said all families occupying Block 27 will be assessed and given equal opportunity to be accommodated in the city’s relocation site.

Some 14 structures were supposed to be demolished by PROBE (formerly the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division) yesterday based on a demolition order issued by Rama last Oct. 5.

The 14 houses were identified by the City Agriculture Department as those structures that encroached the former plant nursery located in Block 27 of the North Reclamation Area.

Aside from the 14 structures, there are 22 other structures illegally built on the city government lot.

The CAD wants to utilize the property as a plant nursery anew and plans to construct its own office in the area. The area was originally a plant nursery until three years ago when the city decided to transfer the nursery to the South Road Properties. The lot they are currently occupying at the SRP is, however, already sold to a private entity, which means the CAD will need to transfer soon.

Residents were issued a notice to vacate last October 24 and given 10 days to voluntarily demolish the improvements they made. The 10-day grace period already lapsed last Monday.

PROBE, headed by Antonio Hermosisima, went to the area yesterday and fielded two teams to do the clearing.

Residents alleged that PROBE personnel treated them inhumanely.

“Nidiretso ra sila’g pangguba didto, wala man gani sila nananghid,” said Jocelyn Amoren, one of the affected residents.

“Naa pa’y mga bata didto nga natulog, nakuratan na lang kay giguba na diay among balay,” another resident said.

Hermosisima denied the residents’ allegations.

“Dili mi bastos. Dili mi pataka. Wala mi nagdire-diretso og guba,” Hermosisima said.

Hermosisima had a heated argument with urban poor leader Evangeline Abejo of the Nasudnong Katawhang Kabus over the alleged improper handling of demolition victims.

Hemosisima clarified that his personnel informed the owner of the structure before they started dismantling.

“Amo silang gipahibaw ma’am uy. Gipagawas namo sila og tarong og gitagaa’g higayon na makapagawas sa ilang mga butang,” said PROBE personnel Julius Cesar Gelig.

Hermosisima said they were only following the order from the Mayor’s Office.  Their assistance to clear the area was sought by the CAD last September.

It was agreed that the residents will visit the relocation site in La Guerta today. Rosell said he will ask the Department of Social Welfare and Services to facilitate the giving of financial assistance to the affected residents.

Rosell said the order of the mayor to clear the area stands.  The residents will have to leave the area the soonest possible time.  –(FREEMAN)