OFFICIALS of the different urban poor groups in Cebu City yesterday corrected reports that they supported the Ciudad project proposed in barangay Apas.
The group, which consists of the umbrella organization, Urban Poor Alliance – Cebu, passed a manifesto against the project.
“We espouse that government should solve our land tenurial issues first before this development is allowed to sprout,” said their one-page manifesto.
The group also passed a resolution sponsored by Marlene Paracueles of the Abaca Homeowners Association, condemning the act of Evangeline Abejo, head of the Nagkahiusang Kabus sa Sugbu, of allegedly bringing urban poor members to the Ciudad project public hearing last Dec. 2.
Paracueles claimed that the group received information that Abejo allegedly paid urban poor members at least P60 to carry placards supporting the Ciudad project.
Boy Guera, head of the 93-1 Movement, said that six barangay luz residents allegedly received money from Abejo.
“Naa siguroy nagpaluyo ana niya kay nganong nang hatag mag kwarta,” said Paracueles, who also sits as a nongovernment organization representative of the Cebu City Housing Board.
Councilor Alvin Dizon, chairman of the City Council’s housing committee, gathered about 100 leaders of the different urban poor groups in cebu city yesterday for an urban poor forum.
The forum is part of the urban poor solidarity week activities.
Paracueles, said that the hakot crowd that Abejo allegedly brought to the hearing were from barangays Ermita, Tejero, Luz and Talamban.
“Maka daut na siya sa atong grupo,” she said.
Aside from the resolution condemning Abejo’s act, the group also passed the manifesto opposing the Ciudad project.
The urban poor alliance is hoping to get at least 2000 signatures especially from officials of their urban poor groups supporting their manifesto.
Paracueles, who is an Apas resident, said that the Ciudad project could cause a rise in the value of land in the area and this could affect the ongoing discussions on 93-1, where the Cebu Provincial government wanted to resell to lot occupants, who hadn’t paid in full at an increased rate.
In their manifesto, the urban poor alliance said ” we oppose the cuidad project mainly because this will affect our security of land tenure.” /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac