Sitio Calmacen, Brgy Calamba: Informal settlers hope to get add’l extension

CEBU, Philippines - With an impending demolition set for June 7, informal settlers of Sitio Calmacen in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City are hoping to get an additional six-month extension to stay in the area.

Maura Enriquez, secretary of the Homeless Individuals of Sitio Calmacen Association, said they are still working on their relocation.

 "Una gyud namong option kay ma-relocate mi, financial assistance parang ingkaso nga ma-demolish mi," Enriquez said.

Teresita Calago, a long-time resident in the area, explained that they used to rent the area for P200 a month. However, the owner stopped them from paying when the sitio was hit by a fire in 2009.

Last March, the settlers received from the homeowners, Geroncio Lopez and Cenon Lopez, a notice to vacate.

"In this connection, you and your successors in interest, your agents and other persons claiming rights under you and for your behalf, are hereby given THIRTY (30)Days from receipt of this Notice to voluntarily vacate from the premises in question," the notice reads.

The letter was signed last November 13, 2015 and copy furnished to the city mayor's office, Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP), Presidential Commission for Urban Poor (PCUP) and to the National Housing Committee.

Calago clarified that they are willing to move out, but they need a relocation site.

She added that they want the city to help them pay the relocation site in Basak, Pardo, worth P7 million.

"Willing man mi muhawa, ang amo lang tabangan mig bayad sa P7 million nga relocation site sa Basak, Pardo, gusto namong ipapalit sa city," Calago said.

However, acting mayor Margarita Osmeña said that the only help they can give is to request for an extension for the settlers to stay in the area.

"It cannot be. There must be a negotiation between them and the homeowner. In the meantime, I wrote a letter to the judge whether to suspend the demolition or not," Osmeña said. — (FREEMAN)