Doña Pepang residents stage rally vs city government

CEBU, Philippines - Affected residents in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City and members of people’s organizations yesterday staged a rally protest condemning the city government’s move in clearing the structures near Doña Pepang Cemetery.

Protesters, who were shouting outside Cebu City Hall, claimed that government officials only promised them “lies” and did not actually provide them proper relocation before their houses were demolished.

The city’s Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, however, challenged them to raise their concerns personally before its office.

“If anyone has their own genuine intention, our office is open for you. Whoever wants to be relocated that is near the clearing site, so as long as you are a structure owner, I would not even ask whether you are qualified or not, I will relocate you right then and there,” DWUP chief lawyer Collin Rosell said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

The city has cleared at least nine structures encroaching along M.J. Cuenco Avenue, where Doña  Pepang Cemetery is situated, and the entry lane going to the cemetery.The city is planning to convert the 9,282-square meter cemetery into a heritage park.

Owners of the nine structures demolished are being accommodated at an open space in the neighboring Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

However, such relocation did not work out for some of the residents, one of whom is Lendy Sapio.

Sapio, who claimed to have been in the area since 1968, said the families should have been relocated first before they were cleared from M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

“Dunggon unta mi. Hatagan mi og tarung nga relokasyon. Dili mi basta-basta papahawaon sa maong lugar. Puros intawon mi pobre. Mao ni among baruganan ug katungod ni namo isip mga tawo, mga tawo intawon mi,” she said using a megaphone.

Sapio, together with Sanlakas Sugbo, and other affected individuals were shouting outside the City Hall, airing their protests and bringing with them placards.

“Sakto nga proseso ipatuman ug dili ang paggamit sa gahum aron kabus yatakan,” read one of the placards raised.

Supporting the residents, Victor Sumampong Jr., deputy secretary general of Sanlakas Sugbo, said they only wanted for Mayor Michael Rama to listen to their concern for a proper relocation.

“Matod pa nila, ilang istorya nga ang lugar nga relocation naay mga tawo nga naka-occupy. Klarohon siya kay andam unta sila ma-relocate pero ang ilaha lang wala sila’y tarung nga relocation site. Ang uban voluntary silang niguba sa ilang mga balay kay giingnan sila og relokasyon pero wala pa sila ma-relocate,” he said.

Rossel, in response, advised the concerned individuals to go to DWUP’s office rather than assemble at public places staging a rally, which might be “useless.”

“No need to make a rally or whatever… Present yourself and be relocated if you think that you are qualified. Even if you are not qualified, go to the office, and we will give meaning to your request for relocation. We will relocate you,” he said.

Rossel reiterated that the relocation site is primarily provided to the qualified structure owners under the Socialized Housing Program.

“What we do now, we will accommodate every structure owner regardless if he or she is affected,” he said.

“As to relocation, it has always been an issue. Let me refresh the minds of the public, relocation is not a matter of consequence. Either they have been cleared or evicted due to court order. They can be relocated at the expense of the city government,” he added. — (FREEMAN)