Families affected in demolition to get P10T

CEBU, Philippines — Families living in the structures in three barangays in Cebu City that were demolished to pave way for the implementation of road opening and clearing will receive P10,000 financial assistance each.

Of the 89 families, 58 are from Barangay Duljo Fatima, 27 of which are in Barangay Banilad, and four from Barangay Sambag 1.

To ensure that these families will not be displaced, the Cebu City Government will give at least P10,000 each as financial assistance.

“The Cebu City Government, through the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP), have projects to be implemented such as clearing, road opening, and laying of filling materials in wet land area which is intended for relocation of the structure owners affected by road opening and embankment,” reads portion of the letter of DWUP.

DWUP asked the city’s Local Housing Board (LHB) to approve the release of the financial assistance covered under the city’s special program for the affected families of city’s projects.

The LHB approved the release of the financial assistance and asked the City Council to pass a legislative measure covering the release of the financial aid.

Last Tuesday, the City Council approved the three resolutions of City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, Jr. on the granting of financial assistance to the 89 families amounting to P890,000.

In separate resolutions, the names of the affected families living in the three barangays - Barangay Duljo Fatima, Barangay Banilad, and Barangay Sambag 1, were identified.

For Duljo Fatima, Gabuya said DWUP will implement clearing, road opening, and laying of filling materials in wet land area that will affect 58 families.

For Barangay Banilad, Gabuya said 27 families were ejected for the implementation of government projects like the road opening, restoration, and widening.

As for the Barangay Sambag 1, at least four families whose houses are due for demolition will also receive P10,000 each.

DWUP said the city owns a parcel of land in the barangay where the Day Care Center and the site for the Cebu City Condominium are located.

The open space of that city-owned lot is occupied by four structure owners which the DWUP recommended for clearing operation.

Meanwhile, residents of Sitios Silangan I and II in Barangay Tejero are asking the Cebu City’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team to stall the demolition until the court will decide on the pending motion for reconsideration.

Last Friday, PROBE head Raquel Arce said the clearing operations will resume on Monday, after it was stopped due to weather disturbances last Wednesday.

Atty. Vincent Isles, lawyer of the residents, said they sought legal remedy after the court denied the temporary restraining order that would supposedly stop the city government from implementing the clearing of over 80 houses.

The residents are waiting on the decision of the Regional Trial Court regarding their urgent motion to halt the demolition filed last Thursday.

The residents believe that the demolition shall take place on Feb. 6 because they received the notice last Jan. 7.

However, PROBE started demolishing some houses already. —Isabella G. Obor /MBG (FREEMAN)