Candidates urged: Help stop demolition in Barangay Luz

In view of the ongoing demolition (which started last April 10, 2013) in Sitio Lubi, Barangay Luz, Cebu City, we, priests, religious, and laity of the Archdiocesan Discernment Group (ADG) on Urban Poor ask: Why are our poor brothers and sisters in Sitio Lubi, Barangay Luz, treated not as human beings who have the right to adequate shelter? When will our hearts of stone turn into hearts of flesh which beat of love and compassion for our neighbors, especially the homeless and powerless?

In the middle of last year, the ADG on Urban Poor was informed that the Cebu City Council's Committee on Housing recommended for the demolition of 32 households in Barangay Luz. This was their response to the appeal of the poor households for expropriation of their lots so that they could pay for these lots directly to the city government. Expropriation would have averted the demolition.

In the Archdiocese of Cebu Election Summit last February 23, 2013, one of the urban poor sector's agenda is the following: No to forced eviction and demolition. Yes to urban land reform. Implement on-site development of the urban poor communities in public and private lots.

We call on local and national candidates to listen to the agenda of the urban poor. We ask them to show us that indeed, they are running for office, not for selfish reasons, but  to serve the people especially the poor.  Now is the time to do something to stop demolitions and all forms of human rights violations against the marginalized sectors!

We also call on concerned citizens to join us in a Prayer Service with the victims of demolition on April 15, 2013, 4:15 PM at gate of the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Barangay Luz (Assembly at 4:00 PM at the CCTN Gate).

Fr. Vicente Dayao                                                     

Convenor

Archdiocesan Discernment Group on the Urban Poor