Override Rama veto, City Council asked

CEBU, Philippines - People’s organizations and urban poor groups in Cebu City have come together to extend their appeal to the City Council to override the veto of Mayor Michael Rama of the ordinance seeking one-year moratorium on demolitions undertaken by the city.

Rama, in his veto message dated November 19, said he was compelled to object the approval of the proposed measure as it “contravenes” with the existing national laws and policies.

This, however, dismayed urban poor activists despite their previous appeal for Rama to authorize the passage of the proposed ordinance.

“Ang katawhang kabus nga taga dakbayan sa Sugbo masulub-on sa karong panahon human sa balita nga gibabagan ni Mayor Michael Rama ang pagpapasar sa ordinansa nga nagdumili sa pagdemolish sa mga pampublikong kayutaan subay sa hurisdiksyon sa syudad sa Sugbo sulod sa usa ka tuig,” reads their letter dated November 23.

The groups include Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya – Cebu; Alliance of People’s Organization Working for Empowerment and Resettlement; Pagkakaisa ng mga Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan; Sitio Naba Neighborhood Association; Warwick Barracks Relocated Vendor’s Urban Poor Association; United Small Vendors of Cebu City; Sitio Tangke Homeowner’s Association; and Sitio Tangke Panaghiusa Residents Association.

“Unta dili kamo susama ni Mayor Michael Rama nga mitalikod na kanamo. Hangyo namo nga unta inyong ipapasar ang ordinansa nga muhatag kanamo ug kahigayonan nga makig-alayon sa gubyerno aron kami makiangayon nga mapahimutang ug dili yanong sikad-sikaran. Inyong boto sa umaabot nga Miyerkules, Nobyembre 25, 2015 among bantayan… Ipapasar ang ordinansa,” the letter reads further.

City councilors are set to convene today to vote on the ordinance Rama vetoed.

The ordinance was drafted by Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairperson of the Council’s Committee on Housing, to suspend clearing operations for a year to give the city government time to look for relocation site for those informal settlers whose houses are due for demolition.

Rama said, however, that a one year moratorium would instead give way for informal settlers to occupy and set up dwellings in danger zones or public areas.

The groups argued that Rama’s plan to beautify the city will not conceal poverty here.  — (FREEMAN)